3/1 To Win
Joe Bateman expects Derby County’s Under-23s to grasp the opportunity of a rare knock-out tie when they face Sheffield United in the Premier League Cup Round of 16.
Darren Wassall’s side head north to face the Blades at Stocksbridge Park Steels’ Bracken Moor ground after four wins in six games took them to the top of Group A.
United secured their path through on goal difference after finishing second to Aston Villa in Group E. but ahead of Ipswich Town, with a solid defensive record enough to edge out the Tractor Boys.
The Rams failed to get out of the group in either cup competition last season, and Bateman believes that motivation will be provided by what is a unique challenge.
He told RamsTV: “We don’t have many knock-out ties so it will be good experience, there is pressure but you just have to try and manage it and we’re looking forward to a good test.
“As with any knock-out competition; there is big pressure on the game. We see it as an opportunity to go out there and express ourselves again.
“I think we can progress to play Newcastle at home, so if we can do it, it would be a good experience but we have to concentrate on the game.”
Bateman was one of five youngsters to make the trip to the City Ground for the East Midlands derby against Nottingham Forest earlier in the month, with Gary Rowett keen to keep his options open after a series of injuries.
The versatile 19-year-old didn’t make the matchday squad, but he was thrilled to be a part of the occasion along with several of his teammates.
He said: “It was a brilliant experience, with it being a derby game, that made it even better as well.
“Just being around the dressing room, it gives you a taste of what you could have if you keep working hard and progress.
“It’s nice to have done it with my teammates. The more of us that can get through, the better it is for the club and of course, ourselves.”
For a player that has starred for Wassall’s side for much of this season, you could forgive the midfielder for eyeing a route into the first team.
But such is his maturity, Bateman is not getting carried away and his sights are firmly set on a strong end to the season with the Under-23s.
He added: “My main aims are still with the Under-23s, we have a lot of massive games coming up so my main focus is on that and if anything happens, I’ll take it in my stride and learn from it.
“The teams that we have to play are all in and around us, they’re like six-point games, so we’re all focused and we want to keep progressing.”
