Derby County head into today's home game with Birmingham City on the back of a stern telling off from manager Paul Clement following the midweek draw with Reading. 

Clement made his views perfectly clear after that game, and some could argue that the pressure of trying to take Derby back to the Premier League may be taking its toll after a recent run of results which haven't quite been up to expectation.

Birmingham are progressing well under manager Gary Rowett though, and sit eighth in the Championship table and with a very realistic chance of making the top six.

Ask any Birmingham fan at the start of the season if they would have taken that, then I am pretty sure they would have snapped your hand off.

The Blues manager has said that it does not come much tougher than playing away at Derby County, and he will no doubt head into the game with a strict game plan to nullify the home side.

FootballLeagueWorld writer Lee Connor identifies three things to look out for in this afternoon's encounter...

1) A reaction needed

Derby County's players will be under no illusions that an improvement is needed if they are to get the three points today.

They were simply not at the races against dogged and well-organised Reading team, and arguably could have lost the game as Reading created the better of the chances in the second half.

With Hull winning the night after and moving in to the top two, the pressure is now on Clement's side to get back to winning ways and keep their promotion fight alive.

2) Gary Rowett working wonders

Many at the start of the season would have tipped Birmingham to be operating between the lower and mid regions of the league, but Rowett has got them all working together as one and they look like making a push for the play-off positions.

He has recently sold star winger Damari Gray, but will be looking to re-invest some of that money into his squad as he builds and moulds the side to where he would like them to be.

If Rowett and his team can come away with something here, then confidence in the camp will grow even more.

3) Will Buckley

Birmingham have signed the former Watford and Brighton man on a deal to the end of the season.

He will bring with him a wealth of Championship experience, as well as goal threat from midfield.

Derby will have to be well on their toes if Rowett throws the Sunderland man straight into the starting eleven, and Buckley himself will be keen to impress and get some minutes and goals under his belt.

Derby and Birmingham fans... what do you think the score will be? Can Derby bounce back after a few disappointing results? Or will Birmingham pick up a vital victory? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!