Derby County have seemingly been on the verge of promotion for the last six or seven years, but have missed out at the crucial moment season after season. 

The Rams have an annual tendency to start well but then go on a poor run of form after Christmas which sees their promotion hopes slashed.

However, this season feels slightly different. Frank Lampard has breathed fresh air into a bunch of players struggling for ideas in the last few years.

Derby are serious contenders this year and under Lampard's tutelage, they have every right to believe they can finally get back into the Premier League.

The reason for their near misses has not been a lack of quality, more so a lack of belief. Derby need to believe they can get through the sticky patches and Frank Lampard seems the man to help them do that, already showing his 'man motivation' talents.

But, if they did get there, would they be able to do better than last time? Here, we look at FOUR players Derby may axe if they got promoted...

Scott Carson is a goalkeeper with bags of experience and is perfect for this level, where Derby are dominating most games and he is kept relatively quiet for long stages.

However, if Derby were promoted, they would come up against some of the best teams in the world that would really test him, so Derby may axe Carson and look elsewhere.

Every season, maybe even every week, you see a Derby fan moaning about Richard Keogh. When he leaves, he will be remembered fondly for the good moments rather than the plethora of errors he seems to make, however he would not cut it in the Premier League.

If Derby were promoted, Keogh would have to be axed. The thought of someone like Sergio Aguero running at him is enough to give any Derby fan nightmares.

David Nugent is one of the best examples of the category of player that is good in the Championship, but not good enough in the Premier League.

Lampard would probably look to splash big money on a Premier League proven forward that would get him key goals to keep them up.

Tom Huddlestone is another that probably wouldn't cut it in the top flight, although he has many appearances in he Premier League.

Derby would look for a midfielder who contributes to more phases of play than Huddlestone does, so he would be one to axe.