3/1 To Win
Disappointment was etched on the face of Mason Bennett at the full-time whistle on Monday, but the forward was keen to reflect on a big season for him personally.
Since making his debut aged 15, and becoming Derby County’s youngest ever player, Bennett’s career had been stop-start, mainly due to injury, until the arrival of manager Frank Lampard last summer.
Prior to his appointment, the 22-year-old had made 42 appearances for the club over a seven-year spell.
However, the 2018/19 season has proven to be his best of his career in a Rams shirt as he almost doubled that total.
He made a total of 38 appearances during the campaign, scoring three times and registering a number of assists, and has proven to be a key man for the Rams under the stewardship of Lampard.
“This year has been by far the best year I’ve been at this club,” Bennett admitted, speaking to RamsTV. “I’ve been here for 11 years now and the team spirit is second to none.
"The spirit, even in the dressing room afterwards, there was tears shed, a lot of words spoken. I’m disappointed it wasn’t quite to be.
“We have got a mixture of experience and young lads. Mason Mount, Harry Wilson and Fikayo Tomori have been amazing ever since joining on loan and it’s been a pleasure to play with them.
“They are great lads and even Richard Keogh, Tom Huddlestone and Bradley Johnson, they have been at this club a while and they really get around the young lads and get us going.
“I’m definitely going to remember this season and what we have achieved.
“I’m absolutely gutted we couldn't get promoted. I sweat and bleed this club. I’ve been here for a long time now and it would have been amazing to top it off but unfortunately not this time."
