Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne believes his team are 'not far off' where he wants them to be following a successful EFL Trophy outing in midweek.
A number of key players have started to return from injury in recent weeks including Tom Barkhuizen and Louie Sibley, both of whom scored in the 2-0 victory over Lincoln City at Pride Park Stadium on Tuesday night to start their Group Stage campaign with a win.
Speaking to RamsTV ahead of Saturday's Sky Bet League One trip to Carlisle United, Warne spoke about more options returning to his disposal and reflected on his first year in the job at Pride Park.
On his first year with Derby County...
It's been mixed really. I would much rather be sitting here with a promotion on my CV with Derby. I think I speak for all the staff I brought in really, and we've inherited some really good ones too, but we were all disappointed that we didn't at least get into the play-offs last season. That feels like a failure.
The start of this season could have been better and could have been worse too, but I've enjoyed it and there's no disputing that.
It's been a real honour and hopefully it will continue. I said when I first came in that this club will once again to get to the top league in the future and if we've played a part in that, then great. I've really enjoyed it, it's gone really quick and hopefully there are better things to come.
On whether he's learned more about himself in this role...
It's probably a question that isn't befitting a short answer but I've probably learned that I'm very hard on myself, which everyone is, but I also think if I wasn't hard on myself then I wouldn't strive for perfection. It's a weakness but sort of a strength too!
I think I've learned more from being here that I genuinely enjoy management. Football managing isn't easy, although many people will say it is, and I think I might give myself a little more credit than I used to do. They aren't all good things that I've learned about myself but I realise I still have demons, like everyone else.
On Tuesday night's EFL Trophy game...
I respect every competition we are in because I want to win every single game. I thought the lads played well. I understand it wasn't Lincoln's strongest team but nor was it ours and there were some really good things.
It's nice to have Tom Barkhuizen back, nice to have Louie Sibley back and nice to have Kane Wilson back and fit. It was pleasing to give Sonny Bradley a game too and have Eiran Cashin on the right-hand side of the defence in case that happens, so there were a lot of positive things on show that I liked.
There's always learning to be had in games irrelevant of the scoreline and we try and drive performances, so I was really pleased with the energy we displayed. Generally we showed a little more confidence on the ball and I thought all the lads showed that.
On squad selection headaches...
It makes more decisions for us to make, definitely. Every manager will tell you that they want choices and options. Having that sets standards and puts pressures to the players that are in front of them to keep their standards up. That's what I'm pleased about.
I know that the starting eleven that we pick will be the best team that we think can win that individual game but I also know in the back of my mind that I've got numerous options on 60 minutes to change games in our favour if we need to.
On Carlisle United...
They will pose a difficult test, there are no easy games and this definitely isn't one. They work really hard and in the matches we've watched the three in midfield have been excellent. I have looked at their strengths and we will have to be at their very best. I really like Paul Simpson there. I'll look forward to the game and look forward to taking it to them as best we can.
Our away performances have been good up to now and the way results have gone this week with Portsmouth beating Barnsley, they've gone top of the league and we were seconds away from beating them last weekend. I don't feel like we are far off, we just need to get a run together and hopefully that starts this Saturday.