My last two articles on here have contained groans about the Derby County defence. How stupid do I look now?

The defence collectively produced a solid display against QPR on last Tuesday night, with Jake Buxton and Richard Keogh performing outstanding at the heart of the back four. I really didn’t anticipate keeping a clean sheet after conceding poor goals against both Yeovil and Birmingham but the boys proved me wrong by doing just that!

John Eustace’s goal, his first in Derby colours, was wonderful. The looping header outwitted Ranger’s defence, punishing Rob Green for his short punch out from a corner.

I thought the away side were pretty uninspiring for their superior amount of possession on the night and considering the amount of money they have spent on their squad. QPR couldn’t create as many clear-cut chances as the Rams but credit to Lee Grant for making a couple of excellent saves when they did get a sight of goal.

On Monday the table looked lovely and since then results have largely fell in the Rams favour with Burnley stretching the gap to 5 points between us and 2nd but with a game in hand, Derby could see that reduced to 2 points and put the pressure back on.

QPR failed to use their game in hand wisely and lost to Reading so stayed 1 point above the Rams while Forest still reside a point behind.

The Rams will look to push their top 2 credentials further as they travel to Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow night which appears to be, dare I say, a relatively easy game on paper but the Owls were on an 8-match unbeaten run prior to their 3-0 defeat to Wigan last week. So we must be on our guard as they will be looking to atone in front of their home fans.

Following the Owls clash we welcome 15th placed Bournemouth to the iPro, rounding out a duo of good opportunities to gain maximum points before the difficult trip to bogey side Burnley, a match that depending on how results fall, could be crucial in the race for automatic promotion.

Then it's the big one as we welcome Forest who we will be keen to shake off our tails as well and inflict revenge for our defeat earlier this season. Before they visit us, our greatest rivals meet high flyers Leicester and QPR, here’s hoping they will arrive bruised and battered from consecutive defeats and desperate for points that we will only be too happy to deprive them of!

We are into the home stretch with the top 2 within striking distance and the team’s fate still in their own hands.

Which is exactly the way you want it to be — seize the day boys!

For more of Nathan's articles you can read his blog at www.derbycountyfan.com and follow him @NathansRamsBlog on Twitter.

Photo: Action Images

davram added 14:52 - Feb 17 Yes, commentators can look rather daft at times in hindsight, but it can be difficult to balance opinion and fact in an article, can't it? It's a rather good sign that the Woodentops will be playing Leic, QPR and then us. Maybe the smirk on Wee Billy's face, now temered by their ignominious Cup exit to Nigel Clough's team, will be somewhat further amended by the time they arrive to play the Rams.

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