Curtis Nelson Praises Derby’s Resilience as Rams Break Their Away-Day Curse

Curtis Nelson knows that points mean prizes in the Championship.

The experienced Derby County defender is back in the second tier with the Rams after their precious promotion last season.

Home Comforts Keep Derby Competitive in the Championship

Thirty-one-year-old Nelson previously played at the level during a four-year spell at Cardiff City earlier in his career and is helping Paul Warne’s side navigate their first campaign back since 2022.

Their home form has been good with four wins from their first six with their only defeat at Pride Park coming against Norwich City.

But there have struggled for results away from home, losing their first four outings on the road.

Turning the Tide Away from Home

They have turned the tide in recent weeks with back-to-back draws at Millwall and Oxford United before their long-awaited first away win at Coventry on Wednesday night.

“It’s important to get those little milestones along the way when you get up to a new league,” Nelson told SportsBoom.com.

“We’ve been better at home; you’ve got a good home record.”

“It’s good to prove we can come away and pick up points on the road. It’s just as important.”

“Sometimes it’s not about being pretty or playing the best football. We just have to dig in and get the points.”

On the jubilation after holding on for all three points at the end, he added: “It’s been a long time coming. We’re buzzing.”

“Three points on the road in a tough game, we’re really happy.”

Warne’s Championship Experience Key to Derby’s Success

Warne is an experienced operator at Championship level with three campaigns under his belt whilst at Rotherham United.

Sadly, all three of those seasons ended with the Millers being relegated back to League One.

But respectfully, Derby is a club of bigger stature.

The South Yorkshire outfit have long been a yo-yo club between the Championship and League One whilst the Rams spent 14 successive seasons in the second tier, following their famous Premier League relegation in 2008, before they spent two years themselves in League One.

Warne will be desperate to prove he has got what it takes to succeed in the Championship after he spearheaded the Rams’ promotion last term.

“The gaffer’s been here and done it at this level,” said Nelson.

"Everything he tells us we take it on board because he’s got that knowledge, 100 per cent.”

“He’s got great experience at this level so it’s important that we lean on that guidance that he gives us. He gives us great support.”