Nugent: ‘Rowett’s Simple Approach Gave Us More Impetus’

David Nugent says Gary Rowett’s simple approach to football gave Derby County more impetus and was a big reason behind the club’s upturn in fortunes towards the end of the 2016/17 season.

The Rams won four and drew three of their nine games after the 43-year-old was appointed as the club’s new manager in mid-March.

One of the biggest differences that came with Rowett’s appointment was the style of play, as Derby altered from a side content on keeping possession to one that was far more direct.

Nugent, the 32-year-old forward, believes the Rams benefitted from that approach too.

He told RamsTV: “It's down to the style of play and the fact that we all know what we are doing.

“He (Gary Rowett) wants the ball to be played forward early for the strikers and to be playing football in the opposition half.

“That’s where you score goals. You don’t score goals by passing the ball around in your own half, so a lot of the work we have been doing has been centred around getting the ball forward, getting it to the wingers and getting it into the box.

“It’s worked well for us so far. The manager has had a great effect on the lads so far and has given everyone a lot more impetus.

“We had that one bad result against Brentford (a 4-0 defeat), which admittedly was deserved, but other than that, we have had some really strong results. We have to take into next season.”

Nugent also personally benefitted from the change in playing style under Rowett.

The one-time England international netted five goals – including a hat-trick in a 4-2 win over play-off semi-finalists Fulham – in just eight games.

Rowett is keen to see his forwards being just as much of a menace off the ball as on it and Nugent played the role impeccably over those eight games.

Whilst he repaid the Derby boss with plenty of goals over that short timeframe, he is now hoping to pick up where he left off when the Rams return for pre-season later this month.

“I have played against clubs that Gary has managed before and I have always seemed to do well against them,” Nugent added.

“From a personal perspective, it’s always nice when a new manager comes in and plays you.

“I scored a few goals to repay that, but I hope I am part of his plans next season and I can start it how I ended the last one.”