Forward Martyn Waghorn knows if Derby County can put together a run of positive results then they still have a chance of reaching the Sky Bet Championship play-off places as they prepare for Friday’s encounter against Fulham (7:45pm kick-off).
The striker currently tops Derby’s goalscoring charts, netting 11 goals in all competitions this season which have included three goals in his last five games.
That form has seen the Rams only lose two of their last 13 games as they sit nine points off the play-off standings.
Derby now have three games in a week as they host Fulham on Friday, whilst they face trips to Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday next week.
Whilst there is still some distance to make up, Waghorn knows that games come thick and fast in the Championship and a run of wins can still propel the club into a good position, especially as the teams the Rams face are all in and around that area.
“You go three games in a week and it all changes,” he told RamsTV. “You pick up six, seven or nine points and you are in a very good position moving forward so we know what we have to do.
“We have said this from Christmas onwards, we are two or three wins on the bounce away from being in those positions.
“We know it’s going to be difficult and there are a lot of teams fighting out for first, second and all the way down to sixth.
“It’s one of those leagues that nobody wants to take positions so we know there is a chance but we know there are teams behind us picking up points.
“For us, we can’t look behind us; it’s all about looking forward. The way we have been playing is positive and we know we need more three points, starting on Friday.”
The Rams host Scott Parker’s side on Friday night in front of the Sky Sports cameras and the Cottagers head into the game on the back of a disappointing defeat against the league’s bottom side Barnsley last weekend.
They were beaten 3-0 at Craven Cottage, which was their first league defeat since New Year’s Day, where they were beaten by Reading.
In contrast, Derby boast the league’s joint-best home record, picking up 33 points from a possible 51 available, so it’s set to be an enthralling encounter at Pride Park Stadium.
“We know it’s going to be a difficult game against Fulham and they play really good football,” Waghorn said.
“They have good players so we need to be careful of their threats but we also need to know that we are at home and we are a good solid side going forward so we are optimistic.”