After reaching the play-off final under Frank Lampard last season, Derby County would have been hoping to challenge for a top-six finish in the Sky Bet Championship this term.
However, the Rams made an underwhelming start to their campaign under new manager Phillip Cocu and have struggled for consistency. They currently sit 17th in the league table, eight points outside the play-off places.
The team are starting to build some momentum again though, after wining back-to-back matches for the first time this season against Charlton Athletic and Barnsley.
There's still enough of time for the Rams to get their season back on track, but many feel that Cocu will need to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window if the team are to turn things around.
With this in mind, here are THREE bits of business that Derby need to look to get done as soon as possible...
Sign a new goalkeeper
Kelle Roos was an important player for Derby last season and kept eight clean sheets in all competitions as the Rams made it all the way to the play-off final.
The goalkeeper has struggled this season though and has looked low on confidence at times. After conceding 24 goals in 18 league games, he was dropped from the starting line-up, with Cocu deciding to give Huddersfield Town loanee Ben Hamer a chance.
However, in his eight games this season, Hamer has conceded ten goals and has failed to keep a clean sheet. He's only on loan at Derby anyway, so the Rams could really do with signing a new goalkeeper as soon as possible.
Sign a new centre-back
Derby have been all over the place at the back at times this season and have conceded far too many goals.
The Rams have really struggled since losing Richard Keogh and their lack of depth at centre-back wasn't highlighted recently by an injury to Matt Clarke.
If Derby are to get their season back on track and push for the play-offs, there's no doubt whatsoever that Cocu needs to strengthen his defensive options in January - signing a new centre-back as soon as possible would be a good place to start.
Sell Florian Jozefzoon
If Cocu is to strengthen his squad this month, he'll probably need to sell some players too. Florian Jozefzoon is one who immediately springs to mind - the 27-year-old has really struggled to make an impact since he arrived at Derby.
His performances so far this season have been underwhelming and he isn't getting in the team at the moment. He's featured just once from the bench since the beginning of October and hasn't even made in the matchday squad in the last four matches.
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Derby are reportedly interested in signing wide-attacker/forward this transfer window and this would see Jozefzoon pushed further down the pecking order. If he isn't going to get into the team, it would make sense for the club to move him as soon as possible.
Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.