Jerome Prepared To Bide His Time

Cameron Jerome knows he’s going to have to bide his time in his quest to force his way into Derby County’s starting line-up.

The 31-year-old striker joined Derby earlier this month from fellow Sky Bet Championship side Norwich City.

Jerome made his debut a few days later as a substitute in the Rams’ 0-0 draw against fellow top-six rivals Bristol City at Pride Park Stadium.

After finding himself on the fringes of the Norwich side this season he was keen to take up the opportunity of a fresh start under Gary Rowett.

However, he knows he will have to wait patiently for his opportunity with Rowett having a number of options to call upon in attack.

David Nugent, Sam Winnall and Chris Martin are all options to start as a central striker, in addition to Jerome.

Jerome told RamsTV last week: “The season so far (before he joined Derby) has been a bit hit and miss for me.

“Obviously in terms of playing games I’ve had a stop-start campaign but I am here at Derby now and that’s what I want to focus on.

“I had a great time at Norwich but this is a new chapter for me in my career; I’m hungry to do well and when I had the conversation about leaving Norwich this was my number one choice for various reasons.

“I know I will have to bide my time. When you’re a player coming into a squad which has been winning games regularly, as this one has been, you don’t expect to start playing straight away.

“I know I need to work hard and do as much as I can to show the manager I am ready for when he feels it is my opportunity.”

He added: “It’s a case of being patient and I also believe I can offer something off the pitch as well, having gained plenty of experience during my career and been promoted on three occasions.

“There’s nothing better than being part of a side that’s going for promotion and I’m excited by this new challenge.”

Jerome says the competition for places in attack is something to relish.

The frontman, who has been promoted three times during his career, believes all the strikers in the Rams’ squad offer different options.

He said: “What’s quite exciting here is all the strikers we have are different and ones that can play different styles.

“The manager has lots of options to choose from and some players may suit a certain game.

“It’s going to be interesting and the competition for places is something which is very healthy.”

As an outsider looking in prior to his arrival, Jerome was impressed with the way Derby have climbed the table in recent months.

After occupying a mid-table spot in mid-September, the Rams have shot up the table and currently occupy second place.

Jerome believes the experience that Rowett has to call upon, with Derby boasting one of the most experienced squads in the division, has a big part to play.

He said: “I remember when Derby won at Norwich in October they were effective and won the game.

“That’s where the experience the squad came into play and they managed the game very well.

“You need a talented squad to challenge at the top end of the Championship, first and foremost, but you do also need that experience in the dressing room to manage situations and see you through games.

“That experience can sometimes be the difference between getting a draw and a victory.

“There’s plenty of know-how in the squad and also some exciting younger players too, so I would say the balance is pretty good.”