Phillip Cocu says he’s happy to see Derby County being more effective in the final third over the course of the second half of the season.
Derby found goals hard to come by earlier in the campaign, but they have been far more productive as a team going forward since the halfway stage in December.
Since a 3-0 defeat at Reading before Christmas, the Rams have netted in each of their 14 league fixtures since.
Cocu’s side have progressed and evolved as the season has unfolded and their performances and results have been far more consistent in recent months.
The Derby boss says plenty of hard work on the training ground is beginning to pay off.
The evidence was there for all to see as they hit three goals for the second successive Sky Bet Championship match on Sunday, as they defeated Blackburn Rovers 3-0 at Pride Park Stadium.
Cocu says the atmosphere is positive in the squad as they continue to gently edge their way up the league table.
Speaking to RamsTV, the Derby boss said: “We had a big part of the first half of the season where in not all games, but a few, we played good football and didn’t reward ourselves.
“We were not effective enough and decisive enough in key moments of the game.
“I think this is the part of the game where we have worked a lot, the boys have worked hard on it and it has paid off.
“It gives the team confidence and takes pressure off the defence too.”
He added: “Another clean sheet on Sunday (against Blackburn) is important for the defenders. It is a good atmosphere at the moment with the team. “
Chris Martin’s influence has been growing in recent works.
The Scotland international striker hit a brace against Blackburn to take his goals return for the season to ten.
After spells out on loan at Reading and Hull City in recent seasons, he has returned to the fold under Cocu.
He has scored six times in 11 appearances in 2020 and the Derby boss has been pleased with his recent form
Cocu said: “Chris is very important for us and we needed his qualities in a lot of the games.
“I think Chris has developed this season in a positive way. He has got more playing time, has great link-up play, he’s clever, puts other players in good positions so the better we play and the more dominant we are then it is better for the characteristics of Chris Martin.”
He added: “We also have Jack Marriott who is more of a player who finds the back of the defence and Martyn Waghorn can play on the right as well as a striker.
“With all their qualities, they are very important assets for the squad.”