Derby County are back in Championship action on Wednesday evening, facing off with Coventry City.
The Rams know the game will prove a tough test, especially given their dire away record this season.
Derby County lost 2-1 to Stoke City in their last Championship fixture, meaning they have still picked up just two points when playing away from Pride Park this season.
Paul Warne and his players were not helped by the questionable officiating on the day but it is fair to say that they were still far from their best.
Unfortunately, the meeting with Coventry City is also set to take place away from home, meaning another slog is expected.
Coventry have not been at their best so far in 2024/25 but did smash a 10-man Middlesbrough in their last game over the weekend.
Ahead of Wednesday’s action getting underway, Derby have slipped down to 16th in the league table and are now just three points above the relegation zone.
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Paul Warne issues Derby County demand ahead of Coventry
Coventry are sat on the same points total as Derby after 13 games but they have a slightly better goal difference and should be boosted by their recent victory.
With the Derbyshire outfit so poor on the road this term, it is hard to see them getting too much out of this game.
Now though, speaking to Rams TV ahead of Wednesday’s action kicking off, Warne has issued a big demand to his players and the Derby fanbase.
He said: “Unbelievable excellence would be great and three points and loads of goals.
“It’s probably not the best time to play Coventry on the back of beating Middlesbrough 3-0, who are arguably one of the top teams.
“So we’re going to have to be at our very best, that is as simple as I can put it.
“So anyone who turns up to watch the mighty Rams please get right behind the lads because we’re going to need everything to come away with a positive result but we’re very confident in doing it.”
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Derby County have big problem before Coventry City
Derby going into the game with a major selection headache to deal with at right-back.
Ahead of the defeat to Stoke, Warne confirmed injury blows to Kenzo Goudmijn and Kane Wilson.
The Wilson blow was especially bad for the Rams given Ryan Nyambe is out for six months as well, leaving Joe Ward as the only natural right-back option available.
Ward really struggled upon his return to the side and it will be interesting to see if the defender keeps his place in the eleven or if the Derby manager opts to change things up.