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Steve McClaren plays down Derby County's automatic promotion hopes

Steve McClaren plays down Derby County's automatic promotion hopes, despite seeing his side climb within one point of the top two in the Championship.

Derby County manager Steve McClaren has played down the Rams' automatic promotion hopes, despite seeing his side beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 at the iPro Stadium in the Championship.

A John Eustace goal in the first half secured the points for Derby, who are now just one point off second place.

"I still say no," the 52-year-old told Sky Sports when asked if he felt that his side were in with a shot of promotion. "We haven't got the experience. We've got to show more consistency, especially against the big teams.

"We're still looking at seventh position. That is our target at the present moment. The likes of Leicester, QPR and Burnley have got all the experience.

"I said before the game it would be a test of how far we've come. We were ready for a big win and this was a big win. We hadn't beaten any of the top six and this was a challenge."

Derby are back in league action next Tuesday when they face Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

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Manager of Derby County Steve McClaren looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Leeds United at Pride Park Stadium on October 05, 2013
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds26158348192953
2Burnley26141023192252
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd26166436171952
4Sunderland26148439221750
5Middlesbrough26118743321141
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom26913432211140
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn2511682823539
8Bristol City2691073330337
9Watford25114103536-137
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2610793840-237
11Norwich CityNorwich269984337636
12Swansea CitySwansea2697103030034
13Queens Park RangersQPR2671182934-532
14Millwall257992423130
15Preston North EndPreston2661282834-630
16Coventry CityCoventry2678113437-329
17Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2577112840-1228
18Derby CountyDerby2676133135-427
19Stoke CityStoke2669112432-827
20Luton TownLuton2674152744-1725
21Portsmouth2458113041-1123
22Hull City2658132536-1123
23Cardiff CityCardiff2558122540-1523
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2548132453-2920


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