Mason Mount has stressed that Derby County must put the disappointment of their Boxing Day defeat to Sheffield United behind them and focus on this weekend’s trip to Norwich City.
Derby tasted defeat for the first time in a month with a 3-1 reverse at Bramall Lane against the Blades.
Mount says it’s important that the side learn from the defeat against a fellow top six rival, but also move on quickly ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Canaries at Carrow Road.
The Rams, heading into the final game of the calendar year, sit sixth in the Sky Bet Championship table.
Norwich, meanwhile, reside in second spot and stormed back from being 3-0 down to claim a 3-3 draw against Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.
Mount has insisted that the Rams are looking forward to the test of taking on another opponent well established in the hunt for promotion.
The on-loan Chelsea midfielder told RamsTV: “It’s a quick turnaround for us from the Boxing Day game to this one.
“We need to move on from the Sheffield United game but at the same time learn from it as well.
“There’s plenty of massive games coming up for us and our focus is very much on Norwich.
“That’s what it’s like in the Championship, there’s another game around the corner quite quickly.
“If it’s a win you don’t get too high and if it’s a defeat you don’t get too low; it’s important to keep yourself quite level.”
He added: “We’re definitely looking forward to Norwich now and it’s another massive match.
“They are a top, top side in this league so it’s a game as players we all want to play in and do well.”
Derby and Norwich played out a 1-1 draw at Pride Park Stadium at the start of October, with Craig Bryson equalising late on for Frank Lampard’s side.
Mount, who played the full 90 minutes in that game, says the Rams have confidence in themselves to show an immediate response to their midweek loss.
They have already showcased their qualities on the road this term against promotion hopefuls – with the 4-1 victory at West Bromwich Albion in October the standout result.
Mount said: “We’ve played Norwich already this season and we know they can play good football, but we want to go there and play our stuff as well.
“We know that if we play how we know we can, we can do well in the game. We have confidence in ourselves and although it will be a tough game we know we can go away from home, play well and get results.”
He added: “I thought we played well in the reverse fixture at Pride Park back in October and deservedly equalised through Craig Bryson late on.”
Mount, who joined Derby on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea in July, has been a regular in the Rams’ midfield this term.
The 19-year-old midfielder moved to Pride Park to continue his football development after impressing on loan at Vitesse Arnhem in Holland last season.
This season’s action-packed festive programme has provided him with his first taste of football over the Christmas and New Year period.
Although it’s a new experience for him, he’s enjoying the challenge and knows it’s a key stage of the season to remain focused.
He said: “It’s my first Christmas period as a football so it’s quite interesting.
“When I was on loan in Holland last season we had the winter break, so I had about a week and a bit off and was back at home.
“It’s the total opposite this year; the games are coming thick and fast but it’s enjoyable too.
“It’s about being professional, for us. The gaffer mentioned to us about being careful over Christmas and not going over the top, which we know is really important. It’s about having your focus set on the next game and nothing else.”
