Head Coach Paul Warne is relishing Derby County’s mouthwatering start to 2024 in Sky Bet League One.
Derby will begin the year with a home fixture against fellow top-six rivals Peterborough United on New Year’s Day (3pm kick-off).
The two sides sit level on 46 points and +22 on goal difference in the league table with Posh, who have played one more game than Warne’s side, sitting just above the Rams in third owing to their 47 goals scored compared to Derby’s 42.
Derby’s run of form since the end of October has been nothing short of impressive and they’ve racked up eight wins and a draw from their last nine matches, resulting in a points accumulation of 25 from the last 27 available.
They ended 2023 on a high note with a stunning comeback win at Oxford United on Friday night, storming back from 2-0 down after 13 minutes to pick up all three points in a 3-2 success at the Kassam Stadium.
The full focus now, though, is on what lies ahead, and Peterborough have firmly laid down their promotion credentials in recent months. After losing three of their first six league fixtures this term, they’ve only lost one of their last 18.
Warne believes Darren Ferguson’s side, who he regards as the best outfit in the third tier currently, will provide a stern test to start 2024 and he knows his side will have to be right on their game if they’re to continue their fine run of form.
“I think Peterborough are the best team in the league currently,” Warne told RamsTV after the win at Oxford.
“Their wide players cause problems and create loads of chances.
“They are really strong in a lot of departments and for us to beat them, we'll have to be at our best and hopefully we will be.
“I am sure it will be a game that people enjoy.”
One of Peterborough’s four defeats this term was inflicted on them by the Rams back in August at the Weston Homes Stadium.
A ruthless first half showing saw Derby storm back from a goal down to lead 4-1 at the break with striker Martyn Waghorn netting a fine hat-trick and defender Eiran Cashin also on target.
Derby eventually ran out 4-2 winners but, on reflection, Warne felt the scoreline flattered his side somewhat.
He feels both sides are in a better place since that early-season meeting and admits the 2024 curtain-raiser is a big fixture for both sides.
He said: “They are in better form than that day and I think that scoreline flattered us.
“We're in much better form than we were back then, and the lads are in a better place, so hopefully it will be a good game.
“It's a big one for us, as it is for them.”