Things haven't quite gone to plan for Derby County so far this season.

Following their run to the Championship play-off final last year, and the appointment of Phillip Cocu as manager earlier in the summer, there will have been plenty of confidence around Pride Park heading into the new campaign.

But since a 2-1 win over Huddersfield Town on the opening day of the season, The Rams have picked up just three points from their next five league games, and currently sit 19th in the Championship heading into the first international break of the summer.

It seems, therefore, as though Derby will need some much-improved performances when the action resumes next week, if they are to have any hope of repeating last season's success.

With that in mind, we've taken a look at three Derby players who need to step up their game after the international break.

Scott Malone

It has been a difficult start to the season for Malone.

Derby's defence has been problematic at times early in the current campaign, perhaps highlighted by an error from Malone that helped gift Bristol City a goal during the Robins' 2-1 win at Pride Park in the first midweek round of fixtures this season.

While it would be harsh to single someone such as Malone out for one error alone, the left-back does seem to have come under some scrutiny for his all-round performances early this season, and that is something he will want to address to avoid becoming a target for opposition attacks to exploit in the future.

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Kieran Dowell

Having previously spent time on loan with Derby's bitter rivals Nottingham Forest, you feel there was always going to be some scrutiny on the Everton man following his temporary move to Pride Park this season.

So far Dowell has done little to alleviate that pressure, with the 21-year-old struggling to make an impact so far this season, in contrast to the inspired loan signings of Harry Wilson and Mason Mount in that attacking midfield position last season.

With Dowell's own Everton contract set to expire at the end of next season, you feel he too will want to step up his game in order to earn himself the chance to prove himself at Goodison Park when he returns to his parent club next summer.

Tom Lawrence

In fairness to Lawrence, he hasn't really been one of Derby's worst performers this season.

But with Wilson and Mount gone and Dowell so far struggling to fire, you feel that there is a need for Lawrence himself to step up and provide the attacking ammunition from midfield that served Derby so well last season.

Given he hasn't been directly involved in a goal since his spectacular brace in that win over Huddersfield on the opening day, it seems as though the Welshman is going to have to dig deep in order to consistently produce the spark it seems the Rams may need to operate to full effect going forward this season.