Derby County may have come into the 2014-15 season with mixed emotions. Just a swing of Bobby Zamora's boot prevented them from gaining promotion to the Premier League as Queens Park Rangers clinched a dramatic late victory over the Rams in last term's playoff final.
However, their form under Steve McClaren since his appointment ensured that they entered the campaign among the favourites to finish in the automatic promotion places in what is the former England boss's first full season in charge.
As with last season, Derby utilised the loan market to bring in some players from the top flight, while the likes of Cyrus Christie, George Thorne and Ryan Shotton joined the club on a permanent basis.
As expected, they have helped to launch a promotion bid and, while they do not occupy a place in the top two at the turn of the year, they are well placed to push on in 2015.
August
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There were perhaps signs of a playoff hangover in the opening weeks of the season for Derby, despite getting off to a winning start. Newly-promoted Rotherham United provided their opening opposition at the iPro Stadium, but they needed a Jeff Hendrick strike in the 82nd minute to pick up maximum points.
Hendrick was among the scorers again as they dispatched of Carlisle United in the first round of the League Cup, but they drew a blank at Hillsborough that weekend in a goalless draw with Sheffield Wednesday. Their indifferent start to the campaign continued at The Valley, where Charlton Athletic emerged with a surprise 3-2 victory despite a brace from Jamie Ward.
That proved to be their last defeat for more than two months, however, as they began to produce the sort of form many had predicted before the season. They put in a stunning second-half display to thrash Fulham 5-1 in the Championship, with Craig Bryson, Chris Martin (2) and Simon Dawkins all adding to Ward's first-half strike.
A late goal from Ivan Calero went some way to avenging the earlier defeat to Charlton as they knocked the Addicks out of the League Cup, while they ended the month with a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town. Martin netted again in that match, and the Rams were handed good news when their star striker signed a new contract before the end of the transfer window.
September
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A second consecutive draw, this time against Nottingham Forest, kicked off September, with Derby holding on despite Jake Buxton being shown a late red card. They returned to winning ways three days later, with Ward notching another brace as his side came from behind to beat Blackburn Rovers 3-2 at Ewood Park.
They were forced to come from behind yet again in their next match, with Jordon Ibe and Bryson overturning a two-goal deficit to rescue a draw against Cardiff City. Their impressive league form was being accompanied by a good cup run too, with the Rams reaching the fourth round of the League Cup courtesy of a 2-0 triumph over Reading.
That was the first of a run of three consecutive 2-0 victories for McClaren's side, as Martin scored twice in a win over Bolton Wanderers at the Macron Stadium before adding another in a top-of-the-table clash with Bournemouth to see out the month in style.
October
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Derby's three-match winning streak came to a halt in their opening match of October when Millwall held the Rams to a goalless draw at the iPro. They were soon back on form, however, with Martin adding another two goals to his ever-growing tally in a comfortable 3-0 triumph away to Reading.
The Scottish striker netted the only goal of the game from the spot to help his side move top of the table with another three points against Blackpool - the sixth consecutive match in which Derby had kept a clean sheet. Their 12-game unbeaten run came to an unexpected end in their final league match of the month, however, with struggling Wigan Athletic inflicting the Rams' first home defeat of the season.
McClaren's men bounced back in style, though, overturning a two-goal deficit and putting five past Fulham for the second time in little over two months to progress to the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
November
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The Rams began November with a second straight league defeat for the first time since March as in-form Brentford netted a 94th-minute winner at Griffin Park. Once again, though, McClaren's men were quick to respond to the setback, returning to winning ways at the first time of asking courtesy of a 3-2 triumph over Huddersfield Town.
Arguably their best performance of the season to date came at the iPro Stadium four days later as fellow promotion hopefuls Wolverhampton Wanderers were ruthlessly dispatched 5-0 in a match that saw both Hendrick and Johnny Russell grab two goals apiece.
Another playoff contender was next up in the shape of Watford, but the Rams maintained their place at the top of the table with a 2-1 victory. The month ended with another surprise defeat, however, as Leeds United ran out 2-0 winners at Elland Road.
December
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December was a month of mixed fortunes for Derby, although they ended it in worse shape than they started it. The initial signs were good as the Rams scored three goals in the space of 10 first-half minutes to cruise to victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, but they wouldn't win again until Boxing Day.
Perhaps the most damaging result of what would become a three-match winless streak came in their top-of-the-table clash with Middlesbrough at The Riverside, where the Rams were reduced to 10 men on their way to a 2-0 defeat. A daunting League Cup quarter-final against Premier League leaders Chelsea followed, and once again McClaren's side fell victim to a red card on their way to an exit from the competition.
Derby looked to be heading for victory against Norwich City in their final match before Christmas, but they were pegged back by a late Steven Whittaker strike to make it three games without a win. They did end the year in style, however, hammering Birmingham City 4-0 away from home on Boxing Day before a 2-0 victory over Leeds left them three points off the top.
Star man: Chris Martin
Must do better: Leon Best
Where to strengthen in January: Defence
Position at start of 2015: 3rd
Mid-season grade: A-
To see Derby's remaining fixtures in 2014-15, click here.
Barney Corkhill
