Derbyshire head coach Karl Krikken has admitted that his team took too long to adapt to Division One of the County Championship, following their relegation on Thursday.
Derbyshire were promoted from Division Two last summer, but failed to win any of their first 11 matches upon their return to the top division.
Krikken has claimed that the step up to the higher level was bigger than the team expected.
"The first part of the season really, the first five or six game we couldn't buy a win," Krikken told Sky Sports News. "The second half went really well, we fought hard - fought to the death as such - but unfortunately it wasn't enough.
"It's massive [the step up from Division Two], we didn't realise how massive. It took us half a season to get in there. A bit of change in clientele and personnel with the playing staff but we got it right with about six or seven games to go. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough."
Derbyshire's relegation was confirmed earlier after they lost to Warwickshire by an innings and 168 runs.
