Vydra Praises Rams’ Clinical First-Half Showing

Matej Vydra was quick to praise Derby County’s impressive first-half display after they cruised to a 3-0 home victory against Millwall.

Derby scored three times inside six minutes just before the half-hour mark to have the game sewn up by half-time at Pride Park Stadium.

Striker David Nugent helped himself to a double, while Czech Republic international Vydra also got in on the act with a powerful strike from distance.

The victory saw Gary Rowett’s men maintain their faultless December form, winning four games in a row without conceding a single goal to move up to third place in the Sky Bet Championship.

Vydra told RamsTV after the final whistle: “I think we played very well in the first half; the performance was very good.

“We could have won the game by more goals, but we also let them have a few chances and space as well and Scott Carson had to make a few saves.

“We have to carry on like the first half and not give the opposition a chance to score.”

He added: “Today we showed we are prepared to fight for every ball. That happened for David Nugent’s second goal; Bradley Johnson ran and ran to get the cross in and Nuge got in there to score.”

Vydra was thrilled to see fellow frontman Nugent on the scoresheet for the first time since the end of October.

The duo have formed a strong understanding in attack for the Rams this term, scoring 20 goals between them in the first half of the campaign.

Vydra said: “I am so happy for him because he had a few chances to score in the last game against Aston Villa and didn’t manage it, but he can enjoy tonight.

“He works so hard for the team.”

Vydra has scored 14 times in all competitions so far this season in just 20 appearances and is, unsurprisingly, top of the Rams’ goalscoring charts.

The frontman isn’t setting himself any targets when it comes to a specific number to reach this season - but he is keen to reach the 20-goal mark for the second time in his career.

Although he is pleased to be in such red-hot form, Vydra says the team’s success is the main priority.

He said: “I have scored 14 goals and I am very happy with that.

“I don’t have targets but I did get 22 for Watford a few years ago, so maybe that’s something I could do again. That is what I hope, anyway.

“For me it is important to win games and if I can help the team with my goals then that is even better.”