Tom Ince says Derby County must show a greater level of consistency next season if they have any desire to compete at the top end of the Sky Bet Championship.
The 2017/18 campaign with be the Rams’ tenth in a row in English football’s second tier, despite going narrowly close to achieving promotion in recent years.
In the last four seasons Derby have achieved two top six finishes but, ultimately, their quest to achieve Premier League football has ended in heartbreak.
Ince, who joined Derby in February 2015 from Hull City, admits the Rams have not been consistent enough during his time with the Rams to make that much-coveted step to the top level.
Inconsistent spells have played their part in Derby remaining in the Championship and Ince admits that needs to change next term.
The 25-year-old believes it’s about time that the players rose to the challenge, embraced the expectation surrounding the club and, importantly in his eyes, hit the ground running in August.
He told RamsTV: “Since I have been at the club there’s been expectation around the place and rightly so.
“This is a big club and that’s why the expectation is there. It’s down to us as players, with the staff, to have the right mentality and drive to do what is expected of us.
“We’ve had inconsistency during the seasons I’ve been here and it is about time we put that consistency together.
“The ability, focus and drive is there, we just need to go and put it all into practice on the pitch now and be consistent.
“We’ve not had the best starts to the season in the last few years, so it would be nice to put it right next year.”
Currently on his summer break, Ince admits switching off from football can be challenge.
He says, however, it is important to make the most of the time off due to the demanding nature of the Championship.
That said, he is a player that misses the daily routine that comes with being a professional footballer during the summer months.
He said: “You always wait for that summer period where you can switch off, go on holiday and enjoy family time.
“It is important to take time and switch off, especially as the Championship is such a demanding league.
“However, after about two weeks, I always find that you get a bit bored and you’re not used to the routine.
“You’re used to coming in and seeing the lads in what is a fantastic job. I wouldn’t even call it that, it’s a hobby and we all enjoy doing it at a fantastic facility here at Derby.
“There’s always football of some sort on anyway so you never really come away from the game.”
