"They are in a really good place": Derby County boss praises players ahead of Wycombe clash

Paul Warne's Derby County prepare to face 15th placed Wycombe Wanderers in fine form.

The Rams have won five games in a row and with a win, could be as high as second in the table after Saturday's clash.

Their opponents have lost their past four games and will make the trip to Pride Park in desperate need of a win to stop their slide down the table.

Ahead of the game, Derby boss Paul Warne will be hoping his side can put even more pressure on the teams above them with a win.

Speaking to Rams TV, he said his side are in a great place ahead of the game: "It's about the players. They've looked more driven, more athletic and results do give you that.

"They have a lot more belief in themselves and I just think with this group now, if they are to go behind in a game then no drama, they keep to the game plan. They are in a really good place.

"Winning brings happiness and I say that for everyone. The other thing is, winning gives you consistency and you can pick a similar team.

"Consistency then gets relationships on the pitch, gets understanding and then that all goes together."

The Rams have had injury issues this season, but are in a fairly good place as things stand. The Derby boss is confident that if his side face any more challenges, they can overcome them.

He said: "Sometimes in adversity, people stand up. That's what makes the senior boys impressive that they've been available for selection every week.

"There will be times throughout the season where every team goes through it where you get hit with injuries, suspension or lack of form and you just need some really consistent performers week in week out.

"We're blessed here that we've got some good senior professionals that have kept themselves in good nick."

After the game against Wycombe on Saturday, the Rams' schedule gets a bit more irregular over Christmas with a Thursday night game against Lincoln on December 21, a Tuesday game against Wigan on Boxing day and a Friday night game against Oxford United.

Paul Warne says that the irregular routine can be frustrating, he added: "This weekend feels like the last game of normality before we start getting Thursday games, Monday games and stuff like that.

"We all like routine and with the Christmas period it all gets a little messed up. This is our last game it feels like, of normality."

The Rams kick off against Wycombe Wanderers at 3pm on Saturday 16 December at 3pm.