91Èȱ¬

Derby County midfielder Ben Davies says he is relishing the fine start to the season which has seen the Rams climb up to third in the Championship table.

The 30-year-old, who joined from Notts County in January, external, took his time to settle in a struggling side.

But he tops the Championship assists chart with seven so far this term.

"Last season was the toughest of my career but it's made me stronger and I'm enjoying the way we are playing," he told 91Èȱ¬ East Midlands Today.

"Last year I probably wasn't fit enough - I was carrying a couple of niggles and knocks and needed the summer to get that right.

"It was hard when I came in last year. I wasn't enjoying my football as much as I do normally.

"When I'm enjoying my football, that's when I play my best."

Derby have 19 points from their nine league matches and are level on points with the top two - Southampton and Middlesbrough.

And Davies believes the confidence is beginning to show in their play - despite being .

He explained: "We don't believe in ourselves enough sometimes. We are a young team and the lads do believe in themselves but sometimes you have to look round and see the type of players we have.

"The whole squad is talented and we can beat anyone in this league, we just have to keep proving it."