Tyrone Mears felt the Rams' narrow defeat at Everton shows they are making progress as the 2007/08 comes towards the end.

Former Pride Park favourite Leon Osman scored the only goal of Sunday's Goodison Park encounter but Derby looked composed in possession and had the chances to take something from the game.

Mears told www.dcfc.co.uk: "When the gaffer first came in it was all about battling and being hard to beat.

"Now we have been relegated he wants us to concentrate more on keeping the ball and passing it well.

"If you are going to play in the Premier League then you have got to have that side to your game.

"I think we are showing that at the moment. We played really well last week and were unfortunate not to get something against Fulham, and it was the same again today.

"Every game it seems like we are improving as the season comes to an end.

"We are looking more solid, we are playing some really good stuff, and the gaffer will be looking to take the team on to next season."

Mears was on as a second-half substitute for the injured Mile Sterjovski as he continues his comeback from a shin injury.

The problem had threatened to rule him out for the season but he has made an earlier-than-expected comeback.

Though his outing on Merseyside was as a winger rather than his normal right-back spot.

"It is all about topping up my fitness as I'm not really match-fit yet so I've got to get my sharpness back," Mears added.

"I got a bit of a run-out today which is good.

"The quicker I get a full game the better so that I can get things out of my system.

"I felt a bit sloppy with my touch but that's going to happen and I'm looking forward to the next game."

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