Derby County will face Newcastle United, Ipswich Town and Bristol City in the next fortnight.
Derby County v Newcastle United (September 10)
Derby County and Newcastle United were both heavily tipped to be among the promotion chasers this season, yet both have endured somewhat differing starts to the Championship campaign.
Newcastle bounced back from two early defeats to win the next three, while Nigel Pearson’s Derby have really struggled to get going with just one win and one goal in their opening five matches.
The Rams have struggled to adapt to Pearson’s way of playing, and as such changes were made ahead of the deadline with Jeff Hendrick and Chris Martin departing while Matej Vydra and Ikechi Anya arrived.
It is going to take time for Derby to really get going, while Newcastle on the other hand are showing signs of what they are capable of and will be confident of picking up another three points.
Derby County 0-1 Newcastle United
Derby County v Ipswich Town (September 13)
Next up for Derby is another home game against Ipswich Town, and it is an opponent they have failed to beat at the iPro Stadium in their last eight encounters stretching back to 2006.
Last season’s meeting in the East Midlands between the two finished 1-0 to Mick McCarthy’s men, although Derby’s main concern that day was the long-term injury suffered to the influential George Thorne.
The hosts are due a win and some good fortune at home to Ipswich, and with Pearson playing a different system perhaps a more scrappy and direct approach will help them break the mould.
Derby County 1-0 Ipswich Town
Bristol City v Derby County (September 17)
The Rams finish off the week with a trip to Ashton Gate to take on an ever-improving Bristol City side under the guidance of popular young manager Lee Johnson.
The Robbins may have lost Jonathan Kodjia to Aston Villa before the transfer deadline, yet that did not stop them from defeating the Villans days before as they posted an impressive 3-1 victory.
There are no easy games in the Championship, and Derby would probably take a battled draw at Bristol if offered to them as they look to build up some momentum heading in to autumn.
Bristol City 1-1 Derby County
A general view of the new stand at Ashton Gate before the match
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