This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Carlton Morris’ hat trick against Sheffield United sealed a third win in a row for Derby County last weekend.

The forward initially gave the Rams a 1-0 half-time lead before a second strike, and then a penalty, sealed all three points in a 3-1 win.

Callum O’Hare had gotten Chris Wilder’s side back into it in the 73rd minute, but the hosts were unable to mount a comeback.

Morris, who arrived in the summer from the relegated Luton Town, has now scored eight goals from 13 appearances in the Championship.

The 29-year-old is now the joint-second top scorer in the division, alongside Haji Wright, with Brandon Thomas-Asante the only man ahead with a tally of nine.

Carlton Morris tipped to pass 20-goal mark for Derby

When asked how many Morris could score this season, FLW’s Derby fan pundit Shaun Woodward suggested the forward could pass the 20-goal mark.

He’s been praised for his overall impact with the Rams, claiming he pairs wells with the likes of Rhian Brewster and Patrick Agyemang, and that he’s everything the team has needed.

“If Morris can stay fit, then there’s no reason why he can’t hit the 20-goal mark,” Woodward told Football League World.

“He’s a big, strong centre-forward who can handle two centre-halves, so that frees up space for other people around him.

“He’s a great foil for Agyemang, Brewster, etc.

“He’s a leader, he’s got bags of experience at this level, he’s intelligent, he’s good on the ball, he’s a very composed finisher.

“He’s just everything we’ve wanted up there, we’re very lucky to have gotten him.”

Woodward has highlighted how early the deal was done to sign Morris last summer, claiming it’s one of the club’s best pieces of business in years.

“I might be wrong, but I think he might’ve been our first signing in pre-season, and so to have got that done early, before others came in for him, I think was an excellent bit of business,” he added.

“Probably one of the best bits of business we’ve done in many years.

“I don’t think he cost too much either, so superb bit of business by Derby and he really is a top, top Championship striker that could be, I would say, top two or three goal scorers of the league.

“He could definitely get into the 20s, and if you took Coventry out of it, he’d probably be the top scorer.”

Derby have now won three games in a row, moving them up to 17th in the Championship table after 13 fixtures.

Victories over the Blades, QPR and Norwich City in the last couple of weeks has opened up an eight point gap to the relegation zone, and brought them within five points of the play-offs.

Next up for John Eustace’s side is a home clash against Hull City on Tuesday evening in a 7.45pm kick-off.

Carlton Morris signing has proven a great piece of business for Derby

Morris has hit the 20-goal mark before from his time at Luton, scoring exactly that amount when the Hatters earned promotion to the Premier League in 2023.

If he can repeat that feat, then Eustace’s side will have a good shot at competing for a play-off place.

Given the amount of attacking talent at Pride Park now, the Rams should be able to provide that kind of consistent threat in the final third, with Morris proving an excellent addition in particular.

His hat trick against Sheffield United shows how important he is to the side, so keeping him fit for the season will be key to a strong result in the table.