'Patience is key with this slow-starting Rams side'

The 'I want it now' culture of modern society has never been as apt when linking it to football.

Derby County's new signings are just about getting up to match speed. But long after the summer transfer window closed, the Rams have been struggling for cohesion and consistency.

Head coach John Eustace had warned back in early August that it will take time for the Rams to hit the ground running in his first full Championship season - and he couldn't he have been more right.

Fans have asked why Derby County have signed so many injured players, but I suppose the answer is because they can attract them to Pride Park, get them fit and reap the rewards where others would prefer not to.

Eustace has the makings of a really good Championship team.

Competitive and creative. Packed with power and pace, with resilience in defence.

The only problem is, he hasn't been able to name his preferred strongest XI yet.

Just as Rhian Brewster burst onto the scene at Ipswich [in late August], he picked up an innocuous injury in training. Owen Beck's Rams debut was reduced to a breakdown in a warm-up in pre-season at Burton, while Bobby Clark is clearly regaining his confidence and Patrick Agyemang is not only learning the physical nature of the division, he's also building his fitness while learning how to play with new team-mates.

There are plenty of ifs, buts and maybes with Derby's start to the new season. But the underlying narrative has to be, right now, understood.

The nature of the Championship sees surprise packages and the obvious ex-Premier League teams among the front-runners.

The Rams are still building, and not just in the short term.

The long game is success that doesn't come out of the blue, with a campaign the following season that goes down in history, again.

Currently the Rams have only lost three of their first eight games and they are picking up points after going behind. They have done that four times now and could easily have won at Stoke on the opening day and at Ipswich.

Home form will click, and they will become harder to beat.

Patience is key and, by the end of this month, there is a hope that a fully-fit squad will have its identity nailed on and start picking up the points they deserve.