'The fanbase is split on Warne'

Derby County's third defeat in a row was met with boos from the away end at Ashton Gate on Saturday.

Two wins in 12 matches has left supporters scratching their heads, with a silent majority content with the understanding that this is where the Rams are at in 2025.

A club that survived liquidation and a recovery led by a manager desperate to prove himself in the Championship, with players who were without a club, journeymen and youngsters.

To this point Paul Warne has done the job David Clowes asked of him in September 2022 - get Derby out of League One, which he did with a club record points total.

His next task is of a personal nature as well as the requirement to keep Derby in the second tier. So far he is doing that. They were never going to 'do an Ipswich' or even get near the top six. To think otherwise is deluded.

The January transfer window is always going to be a challenging experience. Derby are fishing in a different pond to last summer. Players who don't want to be involved in a relegation scrap may look again at Derby's advances.

More bodies in midfield and a striker are top of their shopping list, but if you are not prepared to pay, then it will be hard and you have to wait.

Derby's fanbase is split. Some fans have never bought into 'Warneball' and chant derogatory songs about him on the terraces. Others get it, they understand the position of the club this season.

Although they want to see free-flowing, high-scoring games and point accumulation home and away, the Rams are simply only able to field the squad they have.

I'm not saying give up on your ambition, but tolerance of the situation is critical. This was always going to be a rebuilding season - they will lose and be awful, they will win and be brilliant. We have seen both this season.

How many of us said fourth from bottom would be an achievement this season?

Well that is what they are on for and these results are how they achieve that. Stick together, remember the bigger picture.

Toxicity on the terraces can destroy a club from the inside.