Derby manager Paul Warne emphasizes the need for his entire squad to use the international break to reflect on how they can improve.
Currently sitting eighth in League One with 11 games played, Derby trails early leaders Portsmouth by 10 points.
Despite their struggles in front of goal, they lead their EFL Trophy group after a victory over League Two’s Notts County.
“Fundamentally, we’re failing. We’re not in the top six where we need to be,” Warne told BBC Radio Derby.
“The players need to take this time to reflect, return, and raise their standards, all of them.
“If the team wants to achieve something, we have to improve. Everyone needs to be at their best for us to succeed in every aspect of the game.”
Derby won’t play in the league again until 21 October due to international call-ups, but after a 1-1 draw with bottom side Cheltenham on Saturday, they entered the break with a cup win at Meadow Lane.
Still, Warne lamented the “wasted” opportunities.
“If you miss that many chances in a game and win, you’re probably luckier rather than good,” Warne said.
“They could have scored a hatful of goals, which is my only frustration.”
Listen to BBC Radio Derby’s Rams Daily podcast
On what is needed for his side to improve, Warne said: “A bit of rest, a bit of honesty, and I’ve just told them straight.
“There hasn’t been a game yet, apart from Blackpool at home in the cup, where we’ve been the worse team.
“It’s goals that matter. There’s no point in having all the possession and 10 shots on target if they don’t go in.
“We need to be ruthless, demand more from each other in training, including myself. We all need to raise our standards a bit, so it’s the perfect time to have this conversation because we’ve won.
“We’re not far from being great, we just have to ignore outside noise, support each other, and keep improving.”
