Derby County midfielder Max Bird believes the Rams' current "togetherness" will be vital if they want to remain in the Championship beyond next May, speaking to the club's media team after their 0-0 draw with Preston North End.

Due to the transfer embargo the EFL placed Derby under during the summer transfer window, Wayne Rooney's men were only able to make five signings and tie Curtis Davies down to a new contract.

In normal circumstances, this would be a respectable transfer window for most teams in the Championship.

But with the East Midlands side losing six loanees since the end of last season and seeing the likes of Martyn Waghorn, Andre Wisdom, and Jordon Ibe leave the club, their lack of recruits considering this left them with a severe lack of squad depth.

Rooney's men have enjoyed a remarkable start to the season though despite this setback, winning 15 points from 12 games, which would have left them level with the likes of Middlesbrough and promotion-chasers Sheffield United in the table.

However, their administration and subsequent 12-point deduction has left them six points adrift of safety and in real danger of playing in League One next term, even without a further docking of nine points that could be on the way for breaching financial regulations.

In the battle against adversity, Derby midfielder Bird has cited the tight-knit atmosphere at Pride Park as a "crucial" asset in their quest to remain in the division.

He said after the Preston draw: "It was a great performance from the team.

"I enjoyed it, we are getting better and better and the togetherness in the team is fantastic.

"We are all competing for each other and running through brick walls for each other and we will keep doing that.

"We will keep playing for the fans and for the club and we are doing our very best to stay in this league which we believe we can do. The togetherness is crucial.

"We have a big game on Tuesday at home to Luton and a big game on Saturday at Coventry as well so our aim is to take each game as it comes and try to get three points."

The Verdict

Derby's team spirit has shown this season - but their other qualities have also been downplayed.

Despite the transfer restrictions they have faced, the Rams have managed to build a small squad that has a good mixture of youth and experience, something that can only bode well for them in the future if some of their younger, promising players remain with them.

Louie Sibley and Lee Buchanan are just two examples - and this is why they need to do everything they possibly can to remain in the Championship. This will maximise their chances of keeping the duo because without second-tier football, it will only be a matter of time before the duo depart with the potential they have.

But whether they can survive is pretty much out of their hands. A potential deduction of 21 points in total would all but end their hopes of staying in the division, but if they can win their appeal against their 12-point deduction and minimise their points deduction for the financial breaches, there is every chance they can compete.

Rooney's side have already shown they can mix it with some of the bigger teams, so they certainly can't be written off at this stage.