Rams defender Barker calls for away-day improvement

SHAUN Barker says Derby County cannot afford to rely on their home form to steer them clear of trouble in the Championship this season.

All five of the Rams' League wins so far have come at Pride Park, while they have the worst away record in the division, taking only two points from a possible 27.

They go into this weekend's home clash against Reading only two points above the relegation zone and under pressure to pick up a valuable victory.

"We have a pretty good home record and that is what we are relying on really at the moment," said Barker.

"Things need to change quickly because we are putting ourselves under far too much pressure at home.

"You feel before you go out that we have to win at home, just to keep our heads above water.

"We need to pick up away from home and start picking up points.

"We don't know why there should be such a difference between playing at home and away. That is what's frustrating.

"Obviously, it's nice to be at home with 30,000 cheering you on.

"It does make a difference but we're all professional enough and have played enough games to realise that, essentially, every game is the same and you've got to go out and perform.

"But away from home, we haven't performed to our capabilities and to the level we expect of ourselves.

"At home, we have done well and long may it continue but the sooner we pick up away from home, the better it will be for the rest of the season."

The former Blackpool defender added: "We believe we have the personnel to do well in this division but so far, with injuries, illnesses, lack of form and a little bit of luck, we find ourselves at the wrong end of the table and the longer we leave it, the harder the season is going to get.

"So we need to push up the table and, hopefully, get a bit more confidence in the team."

The visit of Reading is the first of back-to-back home games, the second coming against high-flying West Bromwich Albion.

"These are two massive games coming up," said Barker.

"We can put any team under pressure at Pride Park and pick up some good results.

"If you can get two wins on the bounce, you will be full of confidence and will go away from home thinking you can beat anyone.

"We've got to make sure we get those performances at home but that goes back to what I said about putting too much pressure on ourselves.

"The fans expect us to win at home and so far we haven't done too bad.

"The boys have got to stick together. We have a few people coming back from injuries and illnesses and you can feel a bit of a change in the changing room but until we start performing away from home, it is going to hinder us."

While Reading are below the Rams on goal difference and West Brom are second, Barker is expecting equally tough games.

He said: "There are some big sides who have been in the Premier League and smaller sides who you are expected to beat every week but we've seen it doesn't work like that in this division.

"It one of the strangest and most competitive leagues in the world. You really can't pinpoint a game that you are guaranteed to win, which makes it good for the league but difficult for the teams.

"We've got to approach the game in the right manner and believe that Reading will come and give a good account of themselves and that we will have to be at our best to get the three points."