As with many of the teams in the Championship this season, Derby County's campaign has been marked by inconsistency.

After a promising start, a poor end to the year threatened to de-rail the Rams' promotion hopes.

However, Nigel Clough's side still remain five points off the playoff places going into 2012.

Sports Mole has a look at Derby's progress so far.

August

Derby's season got off to an almost perfect start as they managed league wins at home to Birmigham City and Doncaster Rovers, while there were triumphs on the road at Watford and Blackpool.

However, August ended on a losing note for the Rams with a 2-1 home defeat to Burnley, and there was also a disappointing second round Carling Cup defeat against Shrewsbury.

September

Seven points out of a possible 12 in September showed that County were building on their promising August.

Despite starting the month with a 2-0 defeat at Coventry City, their first of the season, there was an all-important 2-1 win at local rivals Nottingham Forest which was followed with a convincing 3-0 triumph at home to Millwall.

The month finished with a 1-1 draw at home to Burnley.

October

A difficult fixture list saw Nigel Clough's side put through their paces the following month as they were soundly beaten 4-0 at Leicester City.

A respectable 1-1 draw with high-flying Southampton preceded a 2-2 draw at Reading, while they were subjected to their third defeat of the campaign with a 3-1 loss at Middlesbrough.

However, they were able to get back to winning ways in the last match of the month when they dispatched of Portsmouth 3-1 at Pride Park.

November

Quite simply, November was a nightmare month for Derby. Unable to pick up a single point, they were beaten by Cardiff City, Peterborough United, Hull City, West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion.

December

The ship was stabled at the end of the year with a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace which was followed with a 2-1 win against struggling Bristol City.

A 1-0 defeat at Ipswich saw the wheels temporarily come off, but Derby managed to secure a vital 1-0 win at home to Leeds United to leave them in the hunt for the playoff places going into the new year.