Leicester City might be in the best form of the season at the moment but, ominously for their rivals, Kasper Schmeichel believes they can get even better.
The Danish goalkeeper said City have still not found top gear this season, and warned that they should not get carried away with their recent impressive victories against Huddersfield and Bristol City.
City have scored 10 goals in those two games, but also have kept the highest number of clean sheets in the Championship, and Schmeichel said they must also have the ability to scrap for victory in tight games.
Schmeichel said league leaders Cardiff were the perfect example of that.
"I think we have to be striving to do better," he said.
"Yes, we beat Huddersfield 6-1 but we played well, and perhaps Huddersfield had a bit of an off-day. We can't go overboard on that.
"Cardiff have been the benchmark in this division because they are top of the league.
"In the game against us (when City lost 1-0 at home last month), we peppered them and they had one chance, but they scored.
"That is the clinical nature you need in tight games. That is what you need to get promoted.
"I think we have that in us now, with the defensive record we have and the striking power we possess.
"We need to win those scrappy games, and Burnley away recently was a great example of that.
"We were under a bit of pressure and it wasn't a pretty game, but we carved out a very satisfactory 1-0 win.
"That is what is needed, especially in tight games like that."
Teenage loan signing Michael Keane has started the last three games and City have conceded just one goal in that time.
Schmeichel was full of praise for the 19-year-old from Manchester United.
"He has done great," he said. "He has been fantastic and I can't praise him highly enough.
"He has slotted straight in, and that is a difficult thing to do when you have come to a new team, especially when it is your first club on loan and first taste of first-team football. That is a quality you have to have."
City's trip to face Derby County will be shown live on Sky Sports.
The Championship fixture will still take place on Saturday, March 16, but will now kick off at the later time of 5.20pm.
