Manager Frank Lampard wants his side to step up over the Christmas period and cement their place amongst the top teams in the Sky Bet Championship.
The Rams face four games in the space of 11 days over the festive period, and it’s a good chance for all teams to pick up plenty of points.
Lampard’s side are fourth in the table and sit seven points behind Leeds United, who occupy top spot, and the manager wants his players to relish these next four games.
Derby face Bristol City at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday, before taking on fellow top-six rivals Sheffield United, Norwich City and Middlesbrough over Christmas.
“We have to see it as a challenge and an opportunity,” Lampard told RamsTV.
“There will be tough games, without a doubt, and once we are past Bristol City, we will have played everyone already and we know the challenges of Sheffield United and Norwich so we have to step up.
“To be successful, you have to step up in these games and we have got a bunch of them so we need to be on it. The first half of the season has gone quickly but a lot has happened too. It’s a nice halfway mark to gauge where we are at.
“We are in a decent position in the table and hopefully we’ve made some progress but there is still loads more work to do. The business really does start here and now, over a busy Christmas period, I think we will be defined by the next month of football because there are so many important games.
“It’s a massive period for us. The four games, and then moving into January, is a real time for us to get our heads down and focus.”
The first test comes in the form of Bristol City, who visit Pride Park Stadium on Saturday.
The Robins, managed by Lee Johnson, sit 14th in the Championship table, and are unbeaten in their last four games.
“It will be a tough game,” the manager admitted.
“I watched them against Norwich at the weekend and they held their own. They drew 2-2 with the league leaders and they are a good team.
“They have a good manager, play with good energy, they are aggressive, competitive and have good quality. As all games are, it will be another tough one.”
The whole squad will be needed over the festive period and Lampard has given an injury update ahead of the Bristol City game.
“Tom Lawrence had an issue where he came off against Nottingham Forest so he is going to struggle for the weekend,” he said.
“We are assessing him day by day.”
