ONE defeat in 11 matches, tucked neatly in the top half of the early Championship table and a place booked in the last 16 of the Capital One Cup – few would argue with skipper Richard Keogh when he says Derby County are in a good place at the minute.
Rams are expected to challenge for promotion this season after they went so close last season. Defeat in the play-off final at Wembley was a hammer blow but one they are determined to use to make them stronger.
Derby's third-placed finish was built on a purposeful, attacking style of football that won many admirers. It was a script that served them well and they do not intend to veer from the script.
Teams are out to make life more difficult for Derby this season and there have been some frustrating results already, notably the home draws against Cardiff City and Ipswich Town.
"We found ourselves two down against Cardiff and yet Granty (goalkeeper Lee Grant) had barely touched the ball," said Keogh. "But we didn't panic, we didn't go off script. We kept playing our football, got two goals back and should have won it in the end.
"The important thing for us is to stick to what wins us games. We know it is going to be tough, we know teams are going to throw up different equations and it is down to us to find a way of winning."
Derby face Bolton Wanderers at the Macron Stadium this afternoon unbeaten in seven games since their one defeat of the season, a 3-2 reverse at Charlton Athletic.
Keogh has been ever-present and the defender recently committed his long-term future to the Rams by signing a contract until the summer of 2017. He is delighted to be part of what he sees as a bright future for the club.
"This is the best place for me to improve," he said.
"I think I have improved as a player and a person and it helps being at a great club and around good people. The changing room is a big part of that. It is great to come into training every day."
Keogh is one of a number of Derby players to sign new long-term deals, along with Craig Bryson, Will Hughes, Jeff Hendrick, Craig Forsyth, Jamie Ward, Chris Martin and Jake Buxton.
"Keeping this group of players together was massive," said Keogh. "We all know as a group where we want to get to and this gives us the opportunity to grow together.
"The future is bright. Now it is down to hard work to make sure we get to where we want to be."
The pain of losing the play-off final to Queens Park Rangers in May hit Keogh harder than most. His late error was punished by Bobby Zamora, who struck the only goal of the contest.
Keogh has spoken openly and very much from the heart about how that day ended. You sense there is a steely determination within him to ensure there is a happier ending to this season.
"The big thing about signing a new contract is that it will mean a lot more to me to stay here and try and get this club promoted," he said. "I feel very much a part of this club."
As skipper, and a key defender, he is. With Shaun Barker sidelined by injury, Keogh was handed the captaincy when he signed from Coventry City two years ago. He relishes the role.
"Nigel Clough gave me the opportunity to captain Derby County and I had Barks there and he helped me a lot in my first year," said Keogh.
"It is a fantastic honour and I like to think I have helped the team."
Keogh also captained the Republic of Ireland in a friendly against Oman earlier this month. His wife is in the process of having the shirt and the armband framed.
"That honour will live with me forever, it was one of the proudest moments of my life," said Keogh.
"I am very thankful to (national team manager) Martin O'Neill for giving me that opportunity. He told me just before the game and it was all a bit of a blur. I was shocked, I was not expecting it – it was a huge compliment."
