With two defeats in their last two Championship games, Derby County are in danger of losing ground in the promotion race as they struggle to find consistency.
The Rams went down 2-1 at Brentford on Saturday, after two second half goals for the Bees overturned Derby's 1-0 half time lead.
It was a similar story the previous weekend, where a one goal advantage at home to Wigan was again squandered and an eventual defeat suffered.
Strangely, the two results were sandwiched in-between the 5-2 Capital One Cup rout over Fulham in midweek. Steve McClaren's side were devastating as they netted five in the space of just 20 minutes to overturn a two goal deficit.
The week has echoed Derby's start to the season, where they have gone from amazing to awful at the flick of a switch.
Arguably the best passing side in the division, when on their game, Derby can be hard to live with. But too often they have let their standards slip.
After heartbreaking defeat in the Play-Off Final last season, the Rams have showed signs of a team ready to go one better this time around. Players who had been pivotal in the last campaign have stayed at the club, despite confirmed interest from Premier League teams, and look to have picked up where they left off last May. But it has been less than convincing.
Without the goals of Patrick Bamford, who scored 14 times while on loan from Chelsea last season, Derby have become too reliant on the goals of Chris Martin. To make matters worse, goalscoring midfielder Craig Bryson has been somewhat off the pace, meaning that at times, if Martin doesn't score, neither do Derby.
Prodigy Will Hughes and soon to be Liverpool star Jordan Ibe have impressed in the middle of the park, but have also struggled to get in on the goals. As has Johnny Russell, who promises a lot but often delivers little.
In the defensive side, the ever reliable Craig Forsyth has been shaky, regularly misplacing passes and becoming less capable at charging down the wing and putting in a cross, as he had done so well last season.
Also, McClaren has been forced into chopping and changing the back four - an area where consistency is vital. At the start of the season, an injury to Jake Buxton lead to Ryan Shotton being brought in from Stoke as cover. Now back fit, Buxton is fighting to regain his starting place, with him, Shotton and Zak Whitbread all in contention and seemingly no one sure on who should play.
Another problem is in the centre of midfield. George Thorne's long-term injury, suffered shortly after putting pen to paper on a permanent deal at the iPro Stadium, has left a hole in the side and one which Derby are incapable of filling.
Steve McClaren looked to Real Madrid for the answer, drafting in the services of Omar Mascarell. The Spaniard has showed promise, but has done little to show he can fill Thorne's very big shoes.
It is the same story for veteran John Eustace, who at 34, lacks the stamina for another gruling Championship season.
These issues have culminated in a number of poor results, leaving Derby in fifth position in a league they are more than able to win.
Two home games await next week, with Huddersfield and high-fliers Wolves both visiting. Failure to win both could leave the picture looking bleaker, but equally six points coul well put the Rams back into 1st place.