3/1 To Win
Bradley Johnson has vowed to make his mark under Gary Rowett next season – and further establish himself in Derby County’s midfield.
The 30-year-old appeared 38 times for Derby over the course of the 2016/17 campaign, although it wasn’t until October that he firmly established himself as a first-team regular.
The vast majority of those games came in a new-found position for Johnson, playing as a holding midfielder.
However, following his appointment in March, manager Gary Rowett spoke on several occasions about his belief that Johnson has the ability to be more effective further up the pitch.
That statement was further demonstrated in the Rams’ final home game of the season when, playing as an attacking midfielder, Johnson scored a fine goal in the 3-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Johnson admits playing deeper was a real learning curve, but he is naturally more comfortable further up the pitch.
A new season presents a new opportunity to impress and Johnson is determined to make his mark under Rowett.
Reviewing his season, he told RamsTV: “Looking back, I didn’t have a good start to the season - which was disappointing. I’ve been around long enough to know it is a game of opinions.
“If you aren’t part of someone’s team, you have to keep working hard and take your chance.
“I did eventually get in the team and, when I played in the holding role, I gave it my all. It was new to me but I went over things for hours to learn how to play the role; it benefitted me.
“We went on a good run and then, as the season came to a close, I played in a few different roles under Gary Rowett.
“He feels I am better higher up the pitch and I feel comfortable there, as I can get in the box and score goals.
“I’ll play anywhere to be honest. When I played deep I had to sit deep and resist the temptation to get forward. When I can get on the attack, I always fancy my chances to get on the end of a cross.”
He added: “It’s nice to hear the manager giving you praise, but that’s down to you as a player to ensure he sees you in a good light.
“I played in all of the games from when he came in and I felt I did well, but I need to prove myself all over again and I really want to do that.
“As midfielders, we haven’t got enough goals. It’s down to us to make sure it improves next year.”
Johnson admits the 2016/17 season, with Derby finishing ninth and outside the play-off places, was a disappointment overall.
However, the former Norwich City man is convinced that the Rams displayed some encouraging signs in the closing weeks of the season under Rowett.
He said: “Everyone knows that from our point of view we had a disappointing season.
“We wanted to get promoted and we failed to reach the play-offs.
“The new manager came in towards the end of the season and stamped his ideas down straight away.
“I think you could see we were going in the right direction in the closing weeks of the season.
“Hopefully we get a pre-season under our belts under him, I am sure it will be tough, and start next season really strong.”
