Could Barnsley win provide turning point for Derby County's season?

Derby County may have finally found their footing in what was billed to be their promotion or bust season.

The Rams had a fairly slow start to the season considering expectations but have now won three games in four with their biggest win coming at the weekend.

Paul Warne's side beat Barnsley 3-0 in what was a dominant performance where they made promotion rivals Barnsley look like a side struggling to battle with relegation.

Two James Collins goals and a Craig Forsyth effort managed to seal the deal for the Rams now putting them level on points with the Tykes and only two points off fifth placed Stevenage.

For many fans, Saturday's win will feel like somewhat of a turning point as Derby hadn't looked like a team in contention for promotion up to this point.

Manager reaction

Derby boss Paul Warne was thrilled after the game after having experienced a lot of job pressure from people around the club for the past couple of months.

Speaking to Rams TV, he said that it was no surprise that his side went out and put on a show. He said: "I felt confident all week that we'd be able to win this game and the lads have trained at a level where we thought this kind of performance was coming.

"Overall, it is a good and pleasing day. It's a pity we didn't get into the top six but there's a good feeling in the dressing room.

"Everyone played their part."

The performance

The level of performance on Saturday was vastly improved. Granted, the Rams have been good in recent weeks especially at home with a 2-0 win over Exeter and a 4-0 win over Northampton. But to go out and beat a team that made the playoff final last season seems a real turning point.

Before this game, the Rams had struggled against sides in the promotion spots with a recent loss to Stevenage being the perfect example. But on Saturday, they played as if they were confident to a point of almost being cocky in their belief of a victory.

Paul Warne's style had been criticised a lot going into this game, but when you see a performance such as Saturday's, it is no surprise that his League One record is so good.

After their FA Cup replay on Tuesday night, his players will be feeling confident and really upbeat going into the international break. Hopefully, it can spark a run of form to get them back up and challenging at the top of the table.

"Very good all round."

Derby's 34 year-old veteran defender Craig Forsyth chipped in with a goal on Saturday which is his second of the season. In his 11th year at Pride Park he felt also that Saturday was a really good boost for the Rams.

He told Rams TV following the game: "It was very good all round. It was important to put on a performance at home against a top six rival and it was a good and convincing win for us and a clean sheet too.

"Everybody, especially the new players, would probably say they are getting used to playing here now but it's just about building the form as a team and a unit and making sure everyone is pulling in the same direction."

The Rams host Crewe in their next game on Tuesday night in an FA Cup replay. They will then have to wait until Saturday 25 Novemeber when they play Bristol Rovers at Pride Park in League One.