Derby County: Sheffield United struggler must respond to Norwich City challenge - View | OneFootball

Kenzo Goudmijn has been excellent since joining the Rams in the summer, but seemed to struggle against the Blades.

Derby County will be hoping to continue their spectacular home form on Saturday as they welcome Norwich City to Pride Park Stadium but they will need one of their summer signings to return to form after a quiet showing against Sheffield United.

The Rams fell to a narrow 1-0 loss against the Blades last weekend, with Gustavo Hamer's fantastic free-kick the difference between the two sides at a packed-out Bramall Lane.

Paul Warne's side failed to register a shot on target as they suffered their third consecutive away defeat in the Championship and they are yet to pick up a point on the road since their return to the second tier.

However, there will be a couple of worries surrounding the performance of Kenzo Goudmijn, who struggled to get into the match at times and left Derby's midfield wanting.

Rams supporters and Warne himself will be hoping that the Dutch 22-year-old can re-find the form that he has shown in his two previous appearances before the Sheffield United game.

Goudmijn must find his feet against Norwich

Although his performance against the Blades was less than desired, he has proven in his short time in England already that he has adapted to the Championship.

His clever flicks and range of passing have impressed the Pride Park faithful so far, and he has started to add goals to his game, finding the back of the net against Bristol City and Cardiff City.

Saturday's game will be a difficult one, and Norwich have started to find form, beating Watford at Carrow Road in their last match, 4-1.

In Kenny McLean and Marcelino Nunez, the Canaries have a midfield that is high quality for the level and the Dutchman is going to need to be back to his best.

However, they have not had it all their own way so far this season, and sit one place below the Rams in the table on eight points.

The Canaries' inconsistency makes them a difficult side to read, but they do like to pack the midfield, making the prospect of this weekend a difficult one for Goudmijn and his fellow midfielders.

If he can find space, then the Rams are in luck, as so far, Johannes Hoff Thorup's defence has struggled to deal with pace, something that Derby have an abundance of.

Warne will need his Dutch maestro to link up well with Kayden Jackson and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing against Norwich if his team is to get a positive result, and it's something that can happen if he plays in the same manner as he already has this season.

A result against Norwich puts Derby into early mid-table contention

Although Saturday's fixture is just the seventh Championship matchday of the season, another win at home for the Rams would see them eclipse all expectations.

Many had written Derby off heading into the start of the campaign after promotion from League One, however, wins against both Bristol City and Middlesbrough have raised some eyebrows across the division.

Warne's side were probably a little hard done by against Sheffield United and could have easily taken a point on another day, and the signs are there that points away from home are closer than they seem.

If they beat Norwich at Pride Park this weekend, it will be the Rams' 10th home league win in a row, a run that stretches all the way back to March.

They have been one of the early surprise packages, and another goal in DE24 for Goudmijn will only further reinforce their claim for a mid-table finish this season.