3/1 To Win
Phillip Cocu says the main focus from inside the Derby County camp is firmly set on maintaining their impressive home form this weekend.
Derby will round off the penultimate month of the calendar year against Queens Park Rangers at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).
Cocu’s side will go into the game, which will also see Wayne Rooney joining the Derby boss and his staff in the dugout for the first time ahead of being registered as a player in January, off the back of five home wins in a row.
The Derby boss is also not underestimating the challenge posted by Mark Warburton’s side, who after a strong start to the season haven’t won in their last six matches.
Speaking to RamsTV, Cocu said: “On paper is always dangerous to approach a game thinking the opponent is on a bad run because they will try to find a way to get out of a difficult time.
“The last defeat that they had, 4-0 against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, was also because of the red card and at the end of the game they conceded a few goals.
“Still, we need to focus on our own game to get the next win at Pride Park.
“That is the only goal we have, whoever we have as the opponent because we didn’t get the result against Fulham on Saturday. We have to win the game on Saturday.”
While Derby have been impressive at home in front of their own fans, they’ve struggled on the road.
They have lost their last four away from Pride Park and have a single away win to their name this term.
Cocu says there’s a determination around the squad to pick up on their travels.
In the meantime, he’s keen to focus on continuing their winning run at Pride Park to provide a platform to turn their away form around.
He said: “It is very important for us, especially in the home games, to get consistency.
“We feel stronger and we look forward to the games we play at home.
“It gives us also the possibility to find a way from the results at home to get results in away games and we will find a way, I am sure of that.
“The team is conscious about working to get it done, but to have this feeling in the home games is extremely important to us.”
