Paul Clement believes there is more to come from George Thorne after his good display for Derby as they beat Cardiff.
Thorne, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, scored the opening goal and was involved in the second for Andreas Weimann that sealed a fifth consecutive home win for Clement's team.
Derby were excellent value for their triumph but were frustrated by Cardiff's discipline and organisation, plus the agility of goalkeeper David Marshall who made some superb saves before he was finally beaten 10 minutes into the second half..
Cardiff could have tested Derby's nerve if Kenwyne Jones and substitute Sammy Ameobi had made more of headed chances in the closing minutes but Clement's team and 22-year-old Thorne in particular were worthy winners.
"I thought he (Thorne) was outstanding," Clement said. "He scored the goal but his overall performance was of a very high level.
"When he signed for this club within two or three days of him joining he had the injury and then when he came back he had other associated problems from being out for such a long period.
"But he's been working very hard with his physical condition and we are reaping the rewards of having him fit and playing regularly.
"Of course he can get better, all the players can do that, and I think the reason they can do that is they are open-minded and don't think they are the finished article, and that's why we have a good ethic amongst the team and work hard every day in training to get better.
"We never have a bad training session, we focus on improving all the time and that's the culture we have. All the credit goes to the players, they do respond to the advice they are given which is pleasing."
Cardiff manager Russell Slade admitted his team could have no complaints about a second defeat in nine matches.
"It's always disappointing when you lose but I think we lost it to the better side," he said.
"Sometimes you have to put your hands up and I thought Derby were very good today. We matched them for much of the first half but they double pressed us hard up the field in the second and unfortunately the two goals we conceded came from us having possession of the ball.
"We had a throw-in for the first one and didn't retain possession and then we gave possession away in the middle of the park for the second so we are disappointed with that.
"We have to be more reliable on the ball, which we are in training but in the big games we have to be more reliable in keeping the ball, although I have to say I was impressed with Derby, they have impressive movement going forward and what you can say about them is they've got threats."
Sporting Life