DERBY County head toward their third play-off appearance in the last 10 seasons, thanks in no small part to the inspirational appointment of Steve McClaren and his backroom team.
A team of mid-table under-achievers have been transformed, with the help of a few loan players and good management.
But will that be enough to win promotion to the Premier League?
Although we now have a squad of players seemingly better prepared than the promotion side of 2006-07, it is still worrying that in key games we seem to lack that cutting edge needed to win.
I am sure we all don't want a team that may be capable of winning a three-match cup competition and then ultimately fail in the following season's Premier League campaign.
A settled side and squad with room for further improvement must be the aim of McClaren and his team.
Recent key games have seen the Rams lose out on an automatic promotion place, with 14 points dropped out of 24 since March 1.
Would some key quality players bought in January, rather than loaned, have made the difference between dropping points and winning these games?
Certainly Leicester City, who gained automatic promotion at the weekend, seem to prove that you do need to add to a settled squad with quality players to bridge that gap and turn contenders into achievers.
Maybe it is too soon this season for promotion for the Rams but would we be in a better position next season?
Will we be able to keep the likes of Will Hughes and Craig Bryson, etc?
I sincerely hope so after all the austerity measures seen at the club in the last five years.
However, there are some good signs coming out of the club, with the scouting teams scouring the globe for talent.
I think the question must be, are we looking for young raw talent with "potential", or to add the established, seasoned player capable of raising the quality needed to take the Rams to the next level in the short term?
Promotion at any cost doesn't seem to be an option for Derby County but the club must surely be in a better financial position following the excellent husbandry of the owners.
And maybe it is just a matter of time and a bit of good luck before the club is finally raised to its rightful level in English football.
