Craig Bryson says Derby County's players are confident that they can pick up a ‘good number’ of points over the next fortnight.
Frank Lampard’s side will jump straight back into Sky Bet Championship action following the second international break of the season by facing three of the current top-four teams in the league over the next two weeks, before capping off the month with a trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup Forth Round.
However, in a league that is notoriously competitive, which is again being proven so far this season with just 10 points separating first and 16th place, the midfielder believes the Rams can stand up to anyone.
Bryson, who scored in the last outing at Pride Park Stadium to secure a 1-1 draw against Norwich City, also thinks that the busy and tough period ahead provides a good opportunity to secure important points.
First up is a home game against Sheffield United on Saturday (5:30pm), before hitting the road in back-to-back games at West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough.
“I think our next four games look really hard on paper, but in the Championship that paper just goes out the window,” said the 31-year-old.
“We know Saturday is going to be tough, but at home we certainly think we are a match for anyone in this league and we will go into every game thinking that we can win it. Then we are at West Brom and Middlesbrough which we know will be tough matches, but the teams are so evenly matched that there is no reason why we can’t go there and pick up points as well."
He added: “I think it shows that every team in the Championship this season has been a little bit inconsistent and there’s not much between teams in terms of points either.
“It’s why you are in football, you want to play in the big games and you want to challenge yourself against the best teams in the league. We are confident in ourselves that we can pick up a good number of points.”
The first test is the Blades, who have quietly worked their way to the top spot ahead of the international break.
Chris Wilder's expansive style has helped to churn out eight wins out of 12.
Bryson respects the ability of the opposition, but feels Derby have the capability to match them.
He said: “They are a really hard-working team and a hard team to play against, so we have to be at our game to match that and then hopefully come out on the right end of that result.
“You never know what their game plan is going to be but I’m sure they will come out and try to make a good game out of it, try and bring the game to us and quieten the crowd with an early goal.
“When both teams are going for it, there is that space on the pitch and that bit more time.
“But it’s up to us, we want to start quick and we want to get on the front foot and we want to win the game.”
