'Another Step In The Right Direction'

Gary Rowett described Derby County’s friendly victory at Kaiserslautern as another step in the right direction.

First-half goals from Chris Martin and Bradley Johnson helped the Rams to a 2-0 victory against the 2. Bundesliga side.

The Derby boss, 43, felt his side displayed plenty of positives at the impressive Fritz-Walter Stadion.

With the 2017/18 season curtain-raiser at Sunderland less than two weeks away, he was encouraged by what he saw from his side in the soaring German afternoon heat.

Rowett told RamsTV: “There were a lot of positives; we won the game, we kept a clean sheet and got two goals – but could have had a few more too.

“It’s another step in the right direction. They didn’t create a lot in front of goal and we defended well overall.

“We showed lots of good things and also things that we had worked on, which came to a little bit of fruition. We did some things very well.

“We moved the ball well when we needed to and went long when we needed to as well, just to mix the game up a bit, in the first half.

“Both of the goals were well worked, which was pleasing, and w could have had a few more as a result of some bright and incisive interplay.

“We perhaps could have been a bit more ruthless in front of goal, especially in the first half. That said, I can’t fault the lads with the chances we created as there was lots to enjoy from what we did, especially in the first half.”

He added: “We looked a bit leggy in the second half but it was very hot and did some travelling yesterday.

“Maybe that took a bit out of us but that is where we have to be fitter, keep improving our fitness levels and the things that we do.

“I felt we maybe took our foot off the gas in the second half and let them back into the game when we should have been very comfortable.”

Rowett has reiterated that places remain up for grabs to be in his starting XI for the first game of the season and that nothing is decided in terms of team selection at this stage.

Encouraged by what he saw today, he knows there’s plenty of room for improvement.

He did, however, see elements of what he is looking for from his players when the competitive games get underway.

He said: “I think we saw elements of a midfield three combining and getting into good positons and the front three were the same as well today.

“The back four were pretty solid and defensively sound all game as well.

“You can’t read too much into it, of course, but it is pleasing to be saying those things.”

He added: “Once you start to pick something that looks like a first team the ones that are on the bench get a little deflated.

“However, we still have two more games coming up for players to stake their claim.

“The games are a build-up and if I don’t see something that we need in the team, I would look to make changes. There’s lots of minutes we have to get through first and do better.”

All pictures taken from Derby County’s match at Kaiserslautern were kindly provided by John Millar.