After 11 games back in the Championship, some conclusions can finally start to be drawn surrounding Derby County and their return to the second tier.
So far, Paul Warne has got his side playing some good football at Pride Park, but away from home has been where the struggles lie.
The Rams have just two points from their first six away games of the campaign and are still in search of that elusive win on the road.
While plenty could change between now and the January transfer window, which will see a few more away trips, there is one clear problem at Derby and it is in the striker department.
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Derby County face Jerry Yates conundrum
One thing that is becoming clearer on their travels is that Derby can often struggle to get the ball to stick at the top of the pitch.
The Rams have often struggled to get striker Jerry Yates into the game, highlighted by making just 17 touches against Oxford and just 19 touches against Millwall.
That isn’t to tear down the forward, who has excelled since joining the club, scoring and assisting in those games mentioned, but there are still questions about getting him into those away games.
Yates offers plenty off the ball, pressing hard and willing to run when others aren’t, but his big strength comes in quick link-up play.
The 27-year-old’s quick flicks and pieces of magic have made him a fan favourite at Pride Park, but those moments of elegance are often lost on the road in scrappier, tighter games.
With ball retention low and Yates unable to get the best out of himself, it may be time to look at another striker profile to help the side on their travels in a brutal transfer decision.
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Derby County must land target man striker transfer
One way Derby could improve their chances away from home could be with the addition of a target man striker in the January transfer window sanctioned by David Clowes and the ownership group.
With ball retention being a clear issue on their travels, the signing of a tall, burly centre-forward could allow for the ball to stick in those higher parts of the pitch.
It offers yet another outlet for the side to get the ball forward, relying less on their wingers with their back to goal and instead getting them facing forward and running off of the hypothetical addition.
That doesn’t rule Yates out of being in the side either, as his skillset could see him play off of or combine with the target man.
If pressing is a concern then playing the current centre-forward option as more of a number ten could certainly help.
It remains to be seen which options are out there and attainable for the side in such a chaotic time for transfers, but it’s a clear area that could be built upon.