Adam Pearson believes Derby County have been handed a "challenging and demanding start to the season" but is assuring fans the club will be ready when the campaign kicks off on August 8th.
The Rams face the tricky prospect of two newly promoted teams for their opening two games, with Peterborough United kicking off the campaign at Pride Park, followed by Scunthorpe away the following weekend.
In addition, Derby County will take on local rivals Nottingham Forest at the City Ground as part of the opening five matches.
Adam Pearson says all the focus now is on being ready for when the season starts:
"I think if you asked any team in this division they would have wanted to avoid the newly promoted clubs early on.
"They are always packed with enthusiasm and carry a momentum with them that comes from winning games.
"I have to admit that, on a strictly personal level, Peterborough is the one team I didn't want to draw on the opening day.
"Darren Ferguson and Barry Fry have done an outstanding job at London Road and I'm certain they will present a challenge for teams' not just on opening day, but all season.
"They will be just as strong as Doncaster last season, who along with Swansea, were the best footballing sides in the division last season.
"It is important that we concentrate on ourselves and focus on supporting Nigel (Clough) as he looks to build a squad and team to improve on last season and take us forward in what is undoubtedly the most competitive Championship I have seen."
DERBY COUNTY - COCA-COLA FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
Sat Aug 8 Peterborough United H
Tue Aug 11 Rotherham United A Carling Cup 1
Sat Aug 15 Scunthorpe United A
Tue Aug 18 Blackpool A
Sat Aug 22 Plymouth Argyle H
Wed Aug 26 Carling Cup 2
Sat Aug 29 Nottingham Forest A
Sat Sep 12 Sheffield United H
Tue Sep 15 Barnsley H
Sat Sep 19 Crystal Palace A
Wed Sep 23 Carling Cup 3
Sat Sep 26 Bristol City H
Tue Sep 29 Cardiff City A
Sat Oct 3 Sheffield Wednesday H
Sat Oct 17 Leicester City A
Tue Oct 20 Middlesbrough A
Sat Oct 24 Queens Park Rangers H
Wed Oct 28 Carling Cup 4
Sat Oct 31 Ipswich Town A
Sat Nov 7 Coventry City H F.A. Cup 1
Sat Nov 21 Swansea City A
Sat Nov 28 Reading H F.A. Cup 2
Wed Dec 2 Carling Cup 5
Sat Dec 5 West Bromwich Albion H
Tue Dec 8 Preston North End A
Sat Dec 12 Watford A
Sat Dec 19 Doncaster Rovers H
Sat Dec 26 Blackpool H
Mon Dec 28 Newcastle United A
Sat Jan 2 F.A . Cup 3
Wed Jan 6 Carling Cup Semi-Final (1)
Sat Jan 9 Scunthorpe United H
Sat Jan 16 Peterborough United A
Wed Jan 20 Carling Cup Semi-Final (2)
Sat Jan 23 F.A. Cup 4
Tue Jan 26 Plymouth Argyle A
Sat Jan 30 Nottingham Forest H
Sat Feb 6 Sheffield United A
Tue Feb 9 Newcastle United H
Sat Feb 13 Reading A F.A. Cup 5
Tue Feb 16 Preston North End H
Sat Feb 20 Swansea City H
Sat Feb 27 West Bromwich Albion A
Sun Feb 28 Carling Cup Final
Sat Mar 6 Watford H F.A. Cup 6
Sat Mar 13 Doncaster Rovers A
Tue Mar 16 Middlesbrough H
Sat Mar 20 Sheffield Wednesday A
Tue Mar 23 Queens Park Rangers A
Sat Mar 27 Leicester City H
Sat Apr 3 Coventry City A
Mon Apr 5 Ipswich Town H
Sat Apr 10 Barnsley A F.A. Cup Semi-Final
Sat Apr 17 Crystal Palace H
Sat Apr 24 Bristol City A
Sun May 2 Cardiff City H
Sat May 15 F.A. Cup Final
Copyright © and Database Right 2009 The Football Association Premier League Ltd / The Football League Ltd.
All rights reserved.
Compiled in association with Atos Origin. Fixtures are subject to change.
Some decisions are black and white - renew online now for next year at this year's prices!
