Derby County fan James Whitaker guides us through FIVE reasons why Derby County will get promoted.

Derby County are eyeing more players
FIVE reasons Derby will go up

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1) Experience

Derby would have learnt from the play-off heartbreak that broke so many hearts of the Derby County fans last year, seeing the Bobby Zamora strike hit the back off the net in the 90th minute. Although this is the worst feeling you can experience as a football fan, you have to give credit to the players and what they achieved within that season, following up from mid table season finishes that occurred year in year out. If they get promoted through the play-offs, they will be in a better standing than most teams due to the experience that the players now have.

2)  The 'background' work that Sam Rush and Chris Evans have been doing for the club.

With the deals that have been made, such as changing the name of the stadium from Pride Park to iPro Stadium, earning Derby £7 million over 7 years. Also the transfers and ties that they have to others clubs which is aided by the impact of McClaren, such as Tom Ince signing on loan from Hull City, and Darren Bent on loan from Aston Villa -  two players of top quality and Premier League standard.

3) Steve McClaren, Paul Simpson and Eric Steele

The three men that have worked wonders with the squad and have managed to get the best out of the players and been able to help produce a squad with depth and quality to challenge at the top of the Championship. Although Derby have been hit with some injuries, such as Martin and Thorne, the terrific trio have found very able replacements, Mascarell who is on loan from Real Madrid and Darren Bent to name a few.

4) The squad that Derby have produced over the years

. Derby have had a very able team to challenge for the title over recent seasons but haven't really had the 'boost' that was needed when Clough was in charge - yes all credit to Clough for creating this squad and what he managed to achieve off the scenes, but McClaren is a so-called 'winning' manager with the successes he has had, with the exception of England and his managerial reign during that period.

5) The belief of the fans and players.

The belief of the players has been at the forefront of Derby's success with Martin continuing his fantastic goal-scoring record, the talent of Hendrick and Hughes in the midfield chipping in with assists and the occasional goals and the shot stopper of Lee Grant who has returned to his former club to help them achieve success once again. Of course, the buzzing atmosphere around the stadium with up to 30,000 fans turning up week in week out has had a phenomenal impact on how the players perform, the belief is flowing around iPro Stadium and the Premier League is only 11 games away.