Barker has been a key figure in Derby's climb up the table

Derby County centre-half Shaun Barker says it is vital that the team keep a sense of perspective following their second successive defeat.

The Rams were beaten 2-1 by Norwich on Saturday, ending a run of six successive home wins.

But Barker told BBC Radio Derby: "We have to remember it's a young side with a new set of boys and with a lot of new players in over the last year or two.

"We are starting to see a side that is gelling together."

Nigel Clough's side have slipped out of the Championship play-off places into seventh spot following the loss against fellow promotion-hopefuls Norwich.

But Barker added: "The progression in the last six months has been a massive boost and we have to keep that up.

"We deserve to be up there. We've got ourselves in a great position where we have been fourth for two or three weeks and we need to get back up there as soon as possible."

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