Mood in the camp has transformed this season – Miles
The Rams may have seen their seven-game unbeaten run ended by Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday night but Addison remains positive about the team's future under manager Paul Jewell.
The 19-year-old has witnessed a marked change in mentality within the club so far this term compared to last season, when Derby were relegated from the Premier League with a record-low tally of 11 points.
"I can definitely feel the mood around the club lifting," said Addison.
"Last season, it was not a good club to be around. Coming in day in, day out, you could tell as soon as players came through the gates, their mentality was gone – they were drained.
"But this season, that has changed. We went on an unbeaten run and everyone at the club, from the kit man to the manager, is upbeat.
"Now, the personalities around the place are a lot more bouncy.
"Everybody who has come into the club has got a good mentality and that helps everyone keep themselves up."
Addison, who has made 10 appearances so far this season, believes Derby are capable of launching a promotion charge as they bid to bounce straight back to the top flight.
"We've got to keep stringing along unbeaten runs and then we'll definitely be there or thereabouts," he said.
"If we can go on another seven or 10-game unbeaten run, we will go up a few more positions – we've just got to keep pushing.
"Every team can beat every team in this division, we know that. We have just got to keep our heads right and, if we can do that, we will definitely be up there at the end of the season."
On a personal note, Addision is happy with life, having established himself in the Rams' central midfield alongside Paul Green.
"I'm enjoying it. I'm loving every game and I just want more games," he said. "I want to play as much as I can.
"If the manager chooses to rest me, then I'll obviously listen to him. But I don't want to be rested, I want to play as much as I can."
Addison was handed his Derby debut at centre-back by Terry Westley in April 2006, when he made two appearances. He also featured in the final Premier League game of last season, against Blackburn Rovers.
He feared a hernia operation over the summer might have ruined his chances of breaking into Jewell's side but he did just that and was rewarded with a new three-year contract in September.
"When I had the operation, I thought maybe that was it," said Addison. "But I dug in, the manager gave me a chance and I've taken it. Now I'm just delighted to be playing for Derby County."
He added: "When the new manager came in last season, you had to prove yourself all over again. I thought maybe I'd go out on loan but that didn't happen.
"Then I thought this season, I'd be going, but the manager has kept me around and told me I'm in his plans. Hopefully, I'm paying him back in some way.
"I always thought I could do a job for Derby. I didn't know it would come as a central midfielder but that is even more pleasing, because that has always been my favourite position."
On his blossoming midfield partnership with Green, Addison said: "Me and Greenie are completely different players. He is more of an energetic craftsman, while I am more of a ball-winner who links the play.
"But we are quite good together."
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