Derby County earned promotion from League One last season and some supporters had relatively low expectations.
Derby knew the challenge of stepping back into the Championship was going to be difficult, so avoiding relegation was, and remains their aim for the season.
Paul Warne’s men have started with four wins from their opening nine games and they’ve all come at home with the Rams clinching victories over Bristol City, Middlesbrough, Cardiff City and QPR.
Most of their signings have gelled in well, with Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, David Ozoh, Kenzo Goudmijn and Kayden Jackson contributing to their solid start.
Derby fans will be concerned about their away form and the struggle to score goals on their travels – netting just three in four defeats – but there is plenty to be positive about.
Here are three reasons for fans to feel optimistic about the Rams’ survival chances.
Home form and defensive record
The platform for teams to survive at any level is winning games at home and having a strong defensive record.
Last season, Derby had the best defence of any side in League One, conceding just 33 goals in 46 games and they also turned Pride Park into a fortress.
Derby seem to perform better in front of their home crowd, keeping clean sheets in each of their four wins, and only conceding in the 3-2 defeat to Norwich City.
Under the stewardship of Warne, who prides himself on keeping it tight at the back with Curtis Nelson and Eiran Cashin, supporters can feel confident this home form will continue.
READ MORE: Derby County star Eiran Cashin’s journey from almost released to Premier League transfer interest
New signings have settled in well
Warne overhauled his first-team squad this summer, seeing nine players depart either on loan or permanently while bringing 11 through the door.
In some circumstances, it takes a long time for new players to gel and start playing their best football but luckily for the Rams, a lot of their signings have hit the ground running.
Goudmijn has looked impressive in the heart of midfield alongside the likes of Adams and Ozoh while Jackson and Jerry Yates have added attacking impetus going forward for Derby.
Warne has nailed their recruitment for the most part and there is huge confidence that this group of players can keep them in the second tier.
Paul Warne is learning from his previous mistakes
Warne’s style has often divided the fanbase, as some have criticised Derby for not playing easy-on-the-eye football.
However, the 51-year-old has delivered the desired results from playing a more direct system and this works with the type of players he has.
Not only that but following three relegations from the Championship during his time at Rotherham, Warne will be determined not to add a fourth to his CV.
Some will question whether he has the credibility and expertise to spearhead the Rams survival push but it has got off to a great start.
And if Warne can keep up this early season momentum, while improving Derby’s away form, supporters can feel optimistic about staying in the second tier.