3/1 To Win
Luke Thomas believes that the confidence levels of the Under-23s are as good as they’ve been after their recent run of results in all competitions and he's backing more members of the squad to break into Gary Rowett's first team.
Darren Wassall’s side have won seven of their last nine outings and these include victories against Liverpool (2-0), Tottenham Hotspur (1-0), Wolfsburg (1-0) and most recently West Ham United (5-1).
And next up, another big test faces the Rams as they prepare to take on in-form Leicester City, but the advantage of playing in front a home crowd at Pride Park Stadium is something that Thomas believes his team mates will be looking to make the most of.
Speaking to preview the fixture, Thomas told RamsTV: “I think everyone in the team is playing their part at the moment.
“We are all very confident at the minute and going into games thinking that we can win.
“Everyone is fighting for their place. If you have one bad game then that is enough for you to lose your place on the team.”
Thomas also took time in particular to address the Under-23s most recent performance against West Ham United.
“The West Ham game was probably our best result of the season and also our best performance,” he added.
“It was great to do it for the full 90 minutes and to go to a place like West Ham and score five goals is really impressive.
“All the lads deserve a lot of credit for that result.”
Time, of course, was also spared to discuss the career milestone achieved on Tuesday night against QPR by Thomas.
Replacing goalscoring wideman Tom Lawrence, the promising forward came on the 89th minute to make his first senior appearance and by his own admittance, the occasion has only just settled in.
“I think it’s just settled in now, but it was absolutely unbelievable to make my debut and something that I’ve been dreaming of ever since I joined Derby,” Thomas explained.
“A lot of the credit has to go to the coaching staff and the gaffer for believing in me and putting me on the pitch.
“My heart was racing and I was really nervous and that got even more intense when I went out onto the pitch.
“My phone hasn’t stopped going and I’ve got a lot of messages congratulating me, but above everything else, I’m just delighted to have made my debut.”
