Derby County currently sit 18th in the Championship table with one win in five matches.
Darren Bent of Derby County and Dominic Vose of Grimsby Town in action
Derby County striker Darren Bent believes anything less than promotion for the Rams this season is ‘unacceptable’ after last season’s play-off disappointment.
County have been in the play-offs in two of the past three Championship seasons and just missed out in 2014/15 following a late collapse that saw them win just two of their final thirteen league matches under Steve McClaren.
And despite a poor start to the new season that has seen the club score just once in five matches, the former England international still has his targets on automatic promotion.
Derby’s Darren Bent scores their first goal
“We’ve had three seasons where we’ve been so close but haven’t got over the hurdle so this season (out target) will be the same, we want promotion,” Bent told Sky Sports News HQ, broadcast Wednesday September 7.
“Automatic would be better because obviously we suffered last season in the play-offs, got off to a bad start against Hull where we went 3-0 down in the first leg and gave ourselves a mountain to climb.”
Derby County manager Nigel Pearson (L)
With the likes of Norwich City, Aston Villa and Saturday’s opponents Newcastle United in the league – Derby face a tough task in earning promotion particularly given the fact that they have won just once in the league so far.
But Bent remains determined and confident that his side can turn things around, starting against Newcastle at Pride Park.
“This season automatic (promotion) would be perfect,” he added.
“If we have to go through the play-offs then we have to do it that way but our sole focus this season is promotion – anything less is unacceptable.”
Wigan Athletic’s Jason Pearce in action with Derby County’s Darren Bent
Will Derby get promoted from the Championship?
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