Cocu Relishing Clash With Bilic’s Baggies

Phillip Cocu believes Derby County’s home clash with West Bromwich Albion this weekend will be an intriguing encounter.

The Rams will welcome the Baggies to Pride Park Stadium on Saturday lunchtime (12:30pm) in what will be their final home game of the month.

Slaven Bilić’s side have picked up eight points from a possible 12 in their opening four matches of the season and are one of four sides in the Sky Bet Championship yet to taste defeat.

Cocu believes the Baggies footballing philosophy under the Croatian, in addition to the way his side likes to play, will provide an exciting clash.

The two teams finished in the Championship’s top six last season but both clubs are now under new management, with Cocu and Bilić taking up their positions during the summer.

The Derby boss told RamsTV: “West Bromwich Albion are a good team and they have an experienced manager.

“They’ve had a good start to the season and they are a good side in possession and have players who want to be on the ball.

“It is good for us also that they, like us, like to have the ball and I look forward to these types of games.”

Derby tasted defeat for the first time this season in midweek with a 2-1 home loss against Bristol City.

He was disappointed with the Rams’ first-half showing as they trailed 2-0 at the break, but was far happier with their second half display.

Jack Marriott pulled a goal back and Derby, with the home crowd roaring them on, put the visitors under significant pressure as they chased an equaliser.

Cocu has stressed the importance of the role the Rams’ fans can play and in particular at Pride Park Stadium.

He said: “We want the fans to stick with us and we want to give them a good performance on Saturday.

“The way we played in the second half on Tuesday, which was positive, we would like to see that for 90 minutes.

“I know the fans understand we can’t win every game, but we can demand a certain attitude and aggressiveness when you play a game in your home stadium.

“Together with the fans, who are behind us in all our games, we can get to a good performance.”