Johnny Russell felt the ‘different challenge’ that Port Vale provided on Tuesday night was one that will stand Derby County in good stead.
The Rams ran out 1-0 winners at Vale Park – thanks to Darren Bent’s second half penalty – as part of the club’s pre-season double-header, in which half the first team squad travelled to Staffordshire, and the other half made the trip to Doncaster Rovers.
The night was pencilled in as a crucial part of Gary Rowett’s preparations for the 2017/18 Sky Bet Championship campaign as it was the first time a large number of players played their first 90 minutes since early May.
Russell, the 27-year-old Scotland wideman, was one of those players: “It’s always good to get that first 90 minutes,” he told RamsTV.
“The boys are still a little rusty and it’s going to take a few more games to get that sharpness back, but that’s the first one out of the way.
“It was a good workout and I thought we played some really nice stuff in the first half.
“We were a bit sloppier in the second, but at the end of the day, this is about getting minutes into the legs and that’s another one done.”
There were two other positives to come from the outing against Port Vale.
In terms of general play and creating goalscoring opportunities, Derby enjoyed plenty of joy, but lacked that killer instinct in front of goal.
With Tom Huddlestone acting as a chief architect, the Rams’ forward line benefitted from the wider pitch at Vale Park and the midfielder’s pinpoint long range and direct passing in behind the defence.
“That’s something we have been working on,” Russell added.
“A lot of time last season and the season before that, we were playing into feet too much, but we played on a big pitch at Port Vale and that style of play is something we want to more this coming season.
“We want to exploit that space and we saw that our movement and interchanges were effective. We showed some great signs of that, particularly in the first half.”
The other positive from the night was the resolute defending over the second half.
Naturally fatigued with their first 90-minute outing and facing a Port Vale side that were far fresher after making several second half changes, Derby’s backline came under a great deal of scrutiny.
Rowett, the Rams’ manager, was pleased with the concentration and resolve the players showed and Russell feels the players will only benefit from being in an early battle.
He added: “They brought on a few big lads and went a little bit more direct in the second half.
“Although it wasn’t as nice a game over the second 45 minutes, it was a different challenge for us. That’s good as well.
“We don’t want everything to be easy over pre-season because this is the time to work on things. We’re going to come up against teams like that in the Championship.
“It was a good to have a taste of that again and we proved we can defend resolutely.
“Long may that continue as well, because if we can defend like that, with the players we have got, then I’m sure this will be a good year for us.”
What You May Have Missed...
Russell Reviews Derby’s Win At Port Vale
Highlights: Port Vale 0-1 Derby County
Rowett Explains Why He Was Pleased With The Last 25 Minutes At Port Vale
Report: Bent’s Penalty Sees Off Port Vale
