Derby County manager Gary Rowett has warned his team that they will need to improve their performances if they are to maintain their winning run, the Derby Telegraph is reporting.

Since Rowett has arrived at Derby, they have seen an upturn in form.

After drawing the opening game (in an East Midlands derby clash with Nottingham Forest), Derby have won their last three matches.

This impressive winning run has put them back in the frame as outside contenders for a play-off spot.

However, Gary Rowett believes that Derby County will have to perform better than they did last week against his former club Birmingham if they are to keep their winning run up.

Tom Ince scored a late winner to spare Derby's blushes against an out of sorts Birmingham side and keep them on track to make a late surge for the play-off places.

But Gary Rowett has issued a warning to his team, saying:

"We are going to have to play better than we did at Birmingham to win more games, but at the same time we are resilient and we find ways to win games.

"You can play how you want, you can win how you want but it is a good habit to be winning games of football.

"We have been positive and we have got our rewards for it, but we can be better.

"Our standards are higher; we weren't good enough at Birmingham."

Derby fans - what do you make of Rowett's comments? Is he right that you were poor against Birmingham? Can you make a late play-off push? Let us know in the comments below...