‘Today Is The Real Beginning’

It is fair to say that today is the day that Jody Morris has been eagerly anticipating from the moment that he was confirmed as Derby County’s new Assistant Manager.

In his first exclusive interview with RamsTV at the beginning of June, the 39-year-old spoke about his frustrations that he and Frank Lampard were having to wait to get down to work.

A little over four weeks on, that day has arrived after the Rams’ players all reported for pre-season training on Friday morning.

“I’m really excited,” Morris said. “I have been saying for most of the break that we have been a little bit frustrated knowing that we are part of Derby County, but we haven’t been able to get to work.

“We have been up here for a few days, but that first day when the players come back in is the most important beginning of pre-season.”

What work have Morris and Lampard been able to undertake in the days and weeks leading up to today?

“We can watch a lot of videos, which can be pretty time consuming,” he added. “That has allowed us to get a feel for some of the players that perhaps you are not as familiar with.

“It’s important that we have to watch a lot of the games back that were played last year to also get a feel for the way they were playing, both individually and collectively, and look at how they reacted to certain situations in games.

“We looked at how they reacted to going behind, leading, how they were when they were confident and even chasing a game.

“I have come across quite a few of the players who have been coming in during their break – being very professional – but today is the real beginning.

“Getting amongst the players out on the grass is what I am all about and what we all enjoy. I’m pleased this day has come.”

As Morris mentions, the Derby players will be back out on the training pitches and will undertake their first session under Lampard as preparations for the 2018/19 Sky Bet Championship season begins.

A lot of fitness work will be integrated into that in the coming days and weeks, as will the philosophy and habits that the Rams’ new management team want to filter into the squad.

“It’s very easy today, like most first days,” Morris said. “The players have got to do a bit of testing this morning, so we will have a little look to see who has been doing their work during the off-season and then after that there will just be a light session.

“We will get a bit of work done, but it won’t be too hard. Whilst they have had a really good programme on the fitness and medical side of things during the off-season I think it is important to integrate them into the way we want to work gradually.

“We don’t want any injuries. It’s a slow process and we don’t need to go through everything on day one.

“It’s about our philosophy, but it is all about habits and getting the good habits into them when it comes to how we want to play and train.

“We’re very much on the importance of training. It’s not just about ticking over and getting the hour and a half out of the way – when we’re on the grass it is all about work, whether that is physical, technical or tactical.”