Paul Warne must remind Derby County supporters of one important factor after three game losing streak - View | OneFootball

The Rams are struggling for points at the moment, but Saturday's clash against QPR could give solace.

Derby County's good start to the season has quickly disappeared in front of their supporters' eyes following three losses on the bounce in the Championship.

The Rams' 2-0 loss to Sunderland on Tuesday was their fourth away defeat of the campaign, and their third consecutive in the league both at home and on the road.

Paul Warne's side were beaten by Sheffield United and Norwich City in their previous Saturday fixtures, and will be hoping for a quick return to form with a victory against Queens Park Rangers this weekend at Pride Park.

Derby have recorded their worst start to a season away from home since the 2007/08 campaign, and outside the top flight, it is the first time since 1983/84 that they have lost all of their first four away matches.

Despite this record, Rams fans must be reminded by their manager that their opening two months have been incredibly tough, playing some of the better teams in the division.

Derby's next run of games are relatively easier

After playing six of the Championship's top 10, it has not exactly been the easiest of rides for Warne's side, and they will be looking forward to the second international break of the season following Saturday's clash with QPR.

The R's are currently 22nd in the league, and have tasted victory just once so far, running out 2-1 winners away to Luton Town. The Rams should not see the game as an easy way to get three points, but they must see themselves as favourites.

Derby's home form has been near perfect, with only a controversial defeat to Norwich spoiling the feel good factor in DE24, and games against teams in and around them will allow them to build confidence and show why they belong in the league.

In the two seasons that they were away from the Championship, the division changed massively. The funding towards the top is a lot higher than it used to be due to the strength of the clubs getting relegated from the Premier League, but also, the Rams' expectations are a lot different compared to what they used to be in the second tier.

In the past, Derby have been a side that have aimed for a top six finish, whereas this year, anything above the relegation zone is the target. Therefore, matches against the likes of QPR, Millwall and Stoke City are ones where they should be looking to take the points.

Derby have competed despite results

Blackburn Rovers, but also scoring two of their own.

In fact, nearly all of their away clashes have come down to moments where their opposition has a little bit more quality. Gustavo Hamer's free kick, Jobe Bellingham's 25-yard stunner and Vakoun Bayo's volley are just three examples of Warne's team being hit by those individual pieces of quality that may not have happened on another day.

They should bare this in mind as they head into their next run of games, and realise that the team is good enough to compete. Following their incredibly tough start, Derby now play seven of the bottom 12 in their next 10 matches.

If results continue to be dire, then the Rams will have to re-evaluate how they play, but there is the possibility of picking up several wins, particularly at home where they have been strong for so long.

Warne would be well within his rights to point that out.