Tom Huddlestone insists that Derby County will go into Friday’s top-of-the-table clash against Bristol City in a ‘different place’ compared to when the sides last met.
The Rams and the Robins have enjoyed fine seasons in the Sky Bet Championship after 27 matches find themselves in the promotion race.
Derby sit in second spot in the table while Lee Johnson’s side, who reside in fifth place, have also reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
The meeting between the sides back in September saw the Reds come back from a goal down at the break to run out 4-1 winners at Ashton Gate.
It was an afternoon to forget for Gary Rowett’s side but it also proved to be something of a turning point, as his side have since embarked on an excellent run of form.
In the 20 league games following that game in the South West, Derby have won 12, drawn six and lost just twice.
Those statistics back up Huddlestone’s belief that Rowett’s men are in a different place, in terms of not only their form – but also their mentality.
He told RamsTV: “We had a disappointing result at Bristol City earlier in the season and we took a bit of a battering, but I think we are in a different place now as a team.
“Compared to that game back in September I think we are mentally and physically in a different place.
“We have got our game plan and we know what we expect from each other.
“I think they’ll be facing a different Derby County team but I am sure they’ll be on their game as well, they’ve had a very good season so far and had some brilliant results.”
Huddlestone says Derby’s focus remains the same regardless of who they come up against.
Whether they are facing a team alongside them at the top end of the table or one battling against relegation, they treat their opponents with the respect that they deserve.
Previewing Friday’s Pride Park clash, the 31-year-old is predicting an ‘interesting’ encounter.
He said: “It’s obviously an important game because they’re near us in the table; but we know we have to take it game by game and treat each match the same.
“Obviously we feel it’s going to be a massive one for us; it’ll be an interesting one.
“We’ve got ourselves in a great position but there’s lots of games to come and Bristol City is the next one. We know what matters is where we are at the end of the season so we don’t want to get carried away at the minute.”