A blistering 30 minutes of football may have not just set up a win for Derby on their travels to Wigan; it may have set up their season with the victory catapulting them into the top 6.

It was three goals in 29 minutes that had the travelling Rams players and fans in ecstasy and pretty much put the ‘game over’ sign up before half time.

Steve McClaren only made one change to the starting line up that defeated Bournemouth last weekend, with the fit again Russell in for the injured Ward.

If fans were worried Derby may miss Ward’s run and attack minded play — they were soothed early as the Rams bounced out of the sheds like a dog who had been locked in his yard for a week, only for the weekend to come and be given a run in the park.

The leash was off early as the Rams buzzed around with an intent that had Wigan on the back foot from the outset.

The FA Cup holders had played a mid-week European Cup game and after the match Steve McClaren admitted that the plan was to hit them early as they may still be feeling the effects of a quick turn around. And hit them early they did!

After a cynical foul on Dawkins with only 3 minutes up, it was up to Craig Bryson to step up for free kick duties with regular taker Jamie Ward missing through injury.

Ward’s position may be under pressure after Bryson smashed home the kick from over 20 yards, adding to Bryson’s pretty impressive highlight reel from the season so far.

0 - 1.

The Rams were dominating as they looked comfortable at the back despite some good moves by Wigan, while the midfield and attacking side of their game looked sharp and dangerous as soon as the home team were forced into making an error.

On 15 minutes Hughes looked to unlock the door for a charging Bryson but as Ramis intercepted the ball for Wigan he could not control his touch. The resulting deflection fell directly to the feet of Dawkins who continued his run into the box and clinically slid the ball into the bottom corner.

0 - 2.

Rams fans have been getting maximum value for their dollar in recent matches and there was even more bang for their buck on 29 minutes.

Wigan defender James McClean clumsily tripped Martin as he tried to cut insider from the right of the penalty area and a penalty was awarded. The striker stepped up to take the kick himself and calmly converted from the spot.

0 - 3.

Only 30 gone. Was I dreaming!?

It was pretty much game over as the Rams continued to play good football but the foot came off the pedal slightly as in an away game where the home team are likely to come back at you, Derby definitely looked to protect what they had rather than risk being opened up while attacking.

A couple of chances to the home side before the half time whistle reminded the Rams to be ever vigilant when McArthur could only to hit Lee Grant with a shot from close range, while Stephen Crainey’s free-kick cannoned off the underside of the bar late.

Wigan came out a different team in the second half after a couple of substitutions re-invigorated the line up and gave them the spark required to push Derby, as they launched wave after wave of attacks against the visitors.

After the high tempo of the first 45 minutes, you could have forgiven the Derby if it had sapped much of their energy, instead it was testament to the Rams new found confidence and work ethic that despite the pressure.

Once they dropped their guard and conceded in the 50th minute, they puffed out their chests, took the fight up to the home team and did not concede again. Something the Rams in previous years would definitely have done, making for a nerve wracking finish.

The Rams weakness all season has been defending aerial threats and once again it proved to be the chink in their armour that robbed them of a potential clean sheet. Powell was given too much time and space as he met Boyce’s cross, neatly heading it past a stranded Lee Grant.

1 - 3. But a scratch!

Just as Rams fans may have worried that ghosts of season’s past may rise from the dead to haunt us with a late Wigan come-back, instead McClaren’s men knuckled down and ground out the last 40 minutes, not giving Wigan a second goal that would have put them right back into the match.

Attacks came and attacks were repelled as every Derby player put their shoulder to the wheel and protected their well earned lead.

The only moment when travelling fans would really have had their hearts in their mouths, came courtesy of a cross from Holt that was sliced by Buxton as he attempted to clear.

Luckily for Buxton the goal bound deflection rebounded safely off of the crossbar but with new loan signing Keane sitting in the stands, the pressure is on Buxton to keep his spot. Every error must feel like a ten tonne weight being dropped onto his shoulders as he must know that keeping the highly regarded youngster out of the first team will be a whole other battle in itself.

The Rams ran out victors after a dominant first 45 floored the home team who not only lost the match but also a manager when the club sacked Owen Coyle following the defeat.

It seems a little harsh on a manager who has had great success at this level in the past, was only in the job for less than 6 months, and before the match was only one win behind Derby on the table. But that is modern day football for you.

Overall a great result for McClaren and his men as they leapt into the play — off places. The Rams jumped to 5th and in even better news, our rise caused Forest to tumble out of the top 6. What a shame!

Sometimes a good day can become a great day… may this just be the beginning as it feels like something special is happening!

Dare to dream?

Match Reaction:

They Said - Wigan manager Owen Coyle’s last interview before being sacked:

"The expectation can only come from being in the Premier League because it's not as if Wigan Athletic have been winning games every week for four or five years, far from it. “

"If people want to be ultra critical that's the nature of football these days. I'm old enough to deal with that. If they think there's something better that's all well and good."

We Said - Derby head coach Steve McClaren on his team’s tale of two halves:

"I've played many Sunday games after Europe and they are so hard. Normally you play the first half to get to the second half, that's what we call it. So we said we have to play a high tempo first half, squeeze, press, and the team did that.”

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