It has been a disappointing couple of weeks for Derby County after their impressive winning run came to an end.

Frank Lampard's men fell victims to a 1-0 defeat at Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon, and his side couldn't back up that below-par performance with a win on Tuesday night, as the Rams drew 0-0 with Blackburn Rovers at Pride Park.

Before the Rotherham game, Lampard had guided his team to three straight league victories and looked strong favourites to travel to Yorkshire and depart with all three points.

The Rams will be looking to bounce back from a couple of disappointing results as they prepare to host high-flying Brentford on Saturday - it really doesn't get any easier for Lampard as his men look to defeat a side that has lost just one of their opening eight league games.

There's a long way to go in this Championship season yet and here, we take a look at three factors that will make or break Derby's promotion hopes...

Derby have scored 10 goals in the league thus far this season, with midfielder Mason Mount leading the way with four goals in all competitions.

Goals are coming from every area of the pitch for Derby, however perhaps the only area where they are lacking goals from is their strikeforce.

The Rams spent big money to sign the likes of Martyn Waghorn and Jack Marriott in the summer, but the pair have amassed just two goals thus far, with the latter failing to find the net for Derby yet.

When you look at the top six, Leeds have Kemar Roofe, Middlesbrough have Britt Assombalonga, Brentford have Neal Maupay and West Brom have Dwight Gayle; they are all goalscorers who can find the back of the net when the chips are down, and it is now up to Lampard to find a goalscorer in his squad in order to spearhead Derby up the league table.

Mount has been the Rams' standout performer by far this season, following his arrival from Chelsea on loan in the summer.

The 19-year old playmaker has scored 4 goals in all competitions, as well as providing one assist as well, and could be the talismanic figure that pushes Derby to promotion.

Ensure that Mount's fitness is looked after properly and Derby won't go far wrong this season.

Derby have been known for letting go of managers perhaps unfairly in the last few years, whenever things seem to be going slightly worse than expected.

Chairman Mel Morris should avoid all temptation to pull the curtains on Lampard's reign at Derby should the former Chelsea midfielder go through a bad stage this season.

Lampard has shown his passion on the touchline and has gotten the best out of his young Derby players, and the former England star has a long future ahead of him in his new career in management.