Florian Jozefzoon said Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup tie with Hull City was a chance for Derby County's players to show what they are capable of, something he certainly did.
Jozefzoon was one of several changes in the starting XI following Saturday’s victory against Preston North End.
However, Frank Lampard’s shake up to the squad did nothing to hamper the Rams’ momentum as they dominated the Tigers.
The Dutch winger and Martyn Waghorn bagged their first Derby goals before Mason Mount sealed the comfortable 4-0 victory with his fourth of the season.
Jozefzoon doubled the visitors lead before half-time when he cut back to lose his marker before firing an inch-perfect effort past Hull’s George Long.
It looked like he added another goal to his tally when he got on the end of a cross from Duane Holmes with his first touch off the bench.
He smashed the ball towards the goal from the far post, however it was awarded an own goal for hitting Brandon Fleming on its to the back of the net.
On a night that saw Jozefzoon shine, he has praised his team-mates for stepping up and grasping the opportunity to impress.
“It was a chance for players to show what they are capable of. I think we did well and a good performance from the team,” he told RamsTV following the game.
“Everyone is eager to play, ready to play and everyone is eager to show what they can do and that is good in a big squad.
“Duane Holmes came in and did well, everybody did well. We are happy for him and for the team.”
Jozefzoon has had to be patient at his new club, with depth in all positions.
It has been a hectic couple of months for the 27-year-old, who as well as adjusting to life as a father - welcoming a baby girl soon after his arrival at Pride Park - has had to find his way in a Rams squad full of competition.
But as his playing time has built, the wideman has shown his pace down the flanks and ability to trick defenders, as he did against Hull.
“I didn’t have a really good pre-season, I didn’t play as many games as I would like. Now I’ve started playing more games, so I am getting there, running a lot, training hard and its good for me,” he said.
“I’ve just had a baby also. It takes time, but they do everything to help me settle quickly and also my team-mates help me.”
The two teams clash again on Saturday in the Sky Bet Championship at KCOM Stadium and Jozefzoon said it is imperative that the squad backs up their cup performance.
The Rams will be looking for their fourth-straight win in all competitions but Jozefzoon expects Nigel Adkins to make big changes in his side to prevent another dominant showing from Derby.
“Now it’s time to rest and recover well before we go again,” he said.
“We play them again Saturday and we have to start sharp again because they are going to play different or do something different.
“Tonight’s win counts only that we are a round further in the cup but if we lose Saturday it will count for nothing else.
“We have to maintain the momentum and it’s going to be hard. There are no easy games in the league and everybody has to be ready.”
