As the business end of the season fast approaches Shaun Barker says Derby County will take points over performances.

With 10 games to go Derby sit in 18th place in the Championship, 4 points above the drop-zone.

The defender says the focus is very on getting the points on the board and securing safety as soon as possible, starting tonight against Middlesbrough at Pride Park.

Barker told Rams Player: "It is nice to play good football and put performances on for the fans, but right now when it is matter of staying up or going down it is all about getting those points.

"It doesn't matter if we do it pretty or ugly as long as we get the points.

"It is in our hands so to speak, so we know if we do the business we will be fine and we're confident we will be.

"We're working hard for the results and the sooner they come the better."

Inbetween four games on the road is a home fixture tonight, and Barker sees no better time to put right the losses at Reading and Doncaster with a victory tonight.

"It is nice to be back at Pride Park in front of our home support," he said.

"We always expect to get 3 points at home, regardless of the opposition.

"Middlesbrough are playing well but we see no reason at all why we can't win the game.

"It will be a massive 3 points if we get them and we have to fancy our chances.

"If we can get the win it will edge us further away from the bottom 3 which will be massive.

"There is added pressure now because we aren't getting results away from home and we're closer to the bottom 3.

"A month ago we thought we had cracked it and were moving up the table, but the away results have held us back.

"It is disappointing because that would have kept us hovering around mid-table and not hanging above the bottom 3.

"There is no better chance than tonight to put things right."

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