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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 UnitedLeeds29179353193460
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd29186540211958
3Burnley29151223692757
4Sunderland291510442241855
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom291014538251344
6Middlesbrough29128947361144
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn29126113228442
8Bristol City29101183734341
9Watford29125124041-141
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds29118104245-341
11Norwich CityNorwich29109104842639
12Coventry CityCoventry29108113938138
13Queens Park RangersQPR2991193237-538
14Millwall29910102826237
15Preston North EndPreston2981383236-437
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2999113343-1036
17Swansea CitySwansea2997133240-834
18Cardiff CityCardiff29710123344-1131
19Hull City2978143038-829
20Stoke CityStoke29611122636-1029
21Portsmouth2978143652-1629
22Derby CountyDerby2976163240-827
23Luton TownLuton2975172948-1926
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth29410152762-3522


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