George Burley says there is still a long way to go for Town despite wining five of their last six League games. The Town boss is pleased to be out of the bottom three but he warned that Town have three very difficult games at the end of the season.
Burley said: "We're not kidding ourselves, we're not out of it yet and there's a long way to go. But I've had belief in the squad of players I've got here that we will get out of trouble. It's a real tester when you're down there but the backroom staff and the squad have never dropped their heads, they have kept believing and at the moment we are getting our rewards by winning games."
Burley added: "This was a big win for us. It was an important game for both clubs. It's not easy to climb out of the bottom three but we've done it. We deserved to win but I have to say we're not out of it yet. I've always had belief in my squad and their ability to get out of trouble. People are asking now what the secret is. Last season they were asking what the secret was in finishing fifth."
The Blues boss says he felt Town had the rub of the green last week against Tottenham, something they hadn't had much earlier in the season: "I have felt that our season has seen us play badly and win sometimes, as we did against Spurs last week, while there were many other games when we have played well and lost.
But he says Town have more work to do before they are safe: "It's great to be out of the bottom three but there is still such a lot to be done. We have a very difficult finish to the season against Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool in our last three games. But we are desperate to stay in this league."
Derby caretaker-manager Billy McEwan has decided not to apply for the manager's job full-time, perhaps partly due to a demonstration by some fans after yesterday's match. However, he praised his players despite their defeat: "It's something that has to be discussed with the powers that be and all I've been doing is trying to prepare the team as best as I can for today's game. I thought I did that and I thought the players today gave it everything. But I will not be applying for the manager's job. If someone else wants to come in and have a go then so be it, but they will face the same problems that I'm facing."