3/1 To Win
Paul Clement believes Derby County’s Sky Bet Championship clash with Burnley this evening is a ‘key game’ for his side.
Paul Clement believes Derby County’s Sky Bet Championship clash with Burnley this evening is a ‘key game’ for his side.
Derby go into the Monday night clash with the Clarets (7:45pm) looking to claim their first Sky Bet Championship victory in a row.
Fresh from back-to-back away wins at Preston North End and Reading, Clement is now eyeing his first iPro Stadium victory as Derby’s Head Coach.
However, he is well aware that Burnley will provide a big test for his side.
Sean Dyche’s Clarets, relegated from the Barclays Premier League last season, have won their last four matches and, before the weekend’s round of fixtures, sat third in the table.
Clement said told Rams Player HD: “There’s a good sprit amongst everybody, as you would expect after back-to-back wins.
“After that run without a win, getting two wins in a row away from home is great because it’s not easy to do that in this league.
“The league table has a completely different complexion to it now, from our point of view, and I believe we sit top of the away table with two draws and two wins.
“Now though, we have to sort out our home form and we face a Burnley side that had a difficult start but have now won their last four matches.
“They are an organised team and have a set style and formation in the way that they play; it’ll be tough but we’re confident we can get the job done.”
He added: “This is another big test for us, we’ve had a number of them already, every match in the Championship is difficult, and all we can do is focus on this one.
“I think this is a key game for us because we are playing a team that has come down from the Premier League, for the first time this season, and we are looking for our first home win too.
“We have a good away record but it would be great to put a performance on and get a victory against Burnley at the iPro Stadium.”
Clement believes Derby are a team in transition and is convinced his side will only get stronger as the season unfolds.
Since the end of last season the club has seen change both on and off the pitch.
In the transfer window Derby made nine new signings, with Jacob Butterfield and Bradley Johnson only arriving on transfer deadline day from Huddersfield Town and Norwich City.
“We are a team in transition from last season; we have a new chairman, new Head Coach, new backroom staff and new players too,” he said.
“I said to the squad the other day, we are getting better and better.
“I think we will continue to improve as the season goes on and I’ll be more than happy if we can get points on the board during this period.
“When we move into the middle and second part of the season I am fully confident we will become stronger.”
