‘Magnificent’ Derby County star can do one key thing to help end Paul Warne’s away day hoodoo

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Derby County have made a solid start to life back in the Championship but their away record will alarm Paul Warne.

Currently sitting in 10th position with nine points from six matches, Derby’s start has been built on their brilliant form at Pride Park.

The Rams have collected maximum points from their home matches against Cardiff City, Middlesborough and Bristol City while on their travels, it’s a completely different story for Paul Warne.

Derby have lost each of their three away games, the most recent being a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United, with Warne looking for the answer to end this away day hoodoo.

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Nathaniel Mendez-Laing must step up for Derby to end away day nightmare

Looking beyond their 4-2 defeat away at Blackburn Rovers on the opening day, Derby have battled in their other two matches, losing by a one-goal deficit to Watford and the Blades.

Warne sets his side up to be solid in defence and break on the counterattack but so far, his attack has lacked the necessary firepower and ruthless edge to knick points on their travels.

This calls for their senior players to step up, namely Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who was ‘magnificent’ for Derby last season.

Mendez-Laing recorded an eye-watering nine goals and 16 assists in League One, with 14 of those involvements coming on his travels.

So far, his impact in the final third has waned following the Rams’ promotion to the second tier, only producing two assists in the defeat to Blackburn.

Given that Mendez-Laing is adored by Warne for what he gives as a captain and on the pitch, more is expected of the 32-year-old, whose form must improve for Derby to start winning on their travels.

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Derby County’s clash vs Norwich City

Derby head to Sunderland on Tuesday night for a tough clash against a top six-chasing side but first, it’s a fixture home to Norwich City, a side one point and one place below them in the table.

The Canaries will be looking to spoil the Rams’ 100% record on home soil while Warne will be desperate to continue their invincibility in Derbyshire.

Warne will be boosted by the return of attacking midfielder Tawanda Chirewa, who has recovered from concussion while key players Callum Elder and David Ozoh are both sidelined.

It promises to be an entertaining clash at Pride Park, with Derby yet to concede at home across their first three matches.