Derby County’s David Nugent has praised a change in formation, which helped the Rams secure their first victory since January, on Saturday against Barnsley, reports the Derby Telegraph.

Goals from Tom Ince and Nugent cancelled out Matty James’ opener, giving Steve McClaren’s side a 2-1 victory and halting their slump in form.

Last week, McClaren claimed he may look to change formation, with his reliable 4-3-3 system failing to deliver the Rams points.

Nugent, who was starting ahead of Darren Bent, was utilised as a lone striker, supported by Matej Vydra, Johnny Russell and Ince, in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Following scoring his first goal for Derby since his arrival from Middlesbrough in January, Nugent told the Derby Telegraph: “That was a lot better from us.

"We changed formation and tried to go a bit more attacking. Every time we've changed the formation in the second half of previous games, we'd done pretty well.

"It took us quite a while to get used to it but we grew into it and fully deserved it in the end.”

While Nugent was scoring his first goal for Derby, Ince was netting his 13^th of the campaign, making him the club’s top scorer this season.

Nugent continued: “With Tom (Ince) playing in the hole behind me, we got more players in their box we looked more of a threat with the chances we created."

Saturday’s victory was Derby’s first since January’s triumph over Ipswich Town, and helped move McClaren’s side to tenth in the Sky Bet Championship.

The Rams remain unlikely to challenge for the top-six, as they are ten points behind Sheffield Wednesday, who occupy the final Play-Off place.

Derby fans… Were you impressed by the change in formation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!