By
Amelia Warren
Fan writer
- Published34 minutes ago
After losing 4-1 at The Den on Saturday there were plenty of negative emotions and opinions shared by all associated with the club.
However, perhaps the biggest concern to come out of another miserable afternoon for the Rams is that nobody actually feels particularly surprised anymore.
The general consensus was that supporters had spent another afternoon watching their team seemingly short of confidence, conviction and belief.
Conceding three goals inside the opening 17 minutes meant the game was effectively over before Derby had even had the opportunity to grow into it.
As supporters, we can always accept losing football matches. Nobody expects Derby to win every week, and anyone who has followed this club for any length of time knows that supporting the Rams has never been straightforward.
However, what is becoming increasingly difficult to accept is the manner of some of these defeats.The opening 20 minutes at The Denwere simply unacceptable.
We know we have an injury crisis at the moment, particularly defensively, and John Eustace has undoubtedly been dealt a difficult hand.
On the other hand though, there comes a point when supporters need to see something that gives us encouragement, regardless of the lack of tools available.
Losing, having a bad day at the office, and making mistakes are all things that fans can see past and continue defending the club throughout.
Lack of fight, lack of character, lack of belief and lack of effort, however...
Throughout the next two matches at Pride Park, supporters need to see a team that understands what representing Derby County means to the thousands who follow them up and down the country, week in, week out.
If this group of players cannot get themselves up for playing in front of a home crowd who have continued to show up in numbers for them, despite only having one league victory to their name in their first 13 matches, then there is simply no hope left.
Fans are not demanding miracles at this point, they are just asking for something to get behind.
The Rams now have two golden opportunities to change the mood, restore some belief, and remind everyone that this season doesn't have to become the struggle many are beginning to fear it will be.
Norwich and Bolton will both provide difficult tests, but this is the sort of game where Pride Park needs to play its part.
However, should Derby lack fight and belief like they did at The Den, it could become quite the toxic environment.
I have never been one to get too downbeat, particularly so early on in a season.
So I refuse to write off this campaign in November when there is still plenty of football left to play, and Derby absolutely have enough quality to return from injury to turn things around.
These next two games won't define the entire season, but they could go a very long way towards defining the mood for the weeks ahead.
It is time for Derby to step up and show us what they are made of, and hopefully, give us all something to cheer about.
You can often catch Amelia Warren as a guest on BBC Radio Derby.
