3/1 To Win
Derby County’s recent upturn in form has lifted the mood in the squad and midfielder Max Bird now wants to keep that momentum going as the Rams travel to the Riverside Stadium to take on Middlesbrough tomorrow afternoon (3pm kick-off).
Fresh from their Emirates FA Cup Third Round success against Premier League opposition last weekend, attention turns back to Sky Bet Championship action with the Rams looking to continue their climb up the league table.
Two wins either side of the New Year on home turf, against Charlton Athletic and Barnsley, have given Derby an added impetus whilst the cup win against Crystal Palace ensured the Rams were in the hat for the Fourth Round draw.
It topped off a very good six days for Derby and Bird, whose immergence into the first team in recent weeks has been impressive, wants that momentum to continue.
“The environment has been much better at the minute ,” he told RamsTV.
“There are lots of smiles going round and lots of banter. We are on the up at the minute and we have just got to keep it going.
“We know Middlesbrough have been in some good form recently, as well as us. It is going to be a tough game and we are away from home.
“We know our away form needs to be better, so we have got to go there and just carry on what we have been doing.”
Bird’s arrival into the first-team has been a positive note for Derby.
He made his first league appearance of the season off the bench in the 1-1 draw against Wigan Athletic on Boxing Day, before starting both the Rams’ two home wins against the Addicks and Tykes.
He earned plaudits for his performance against Charlton and won Sky Sports’ Man of the Match for his impressive display against Barnsley.
Whilst he is going from strength to strength, he is keeping his feet firmly on the floor and looking to improve each day.
With huge competition for places in midfield now following the return of Tom Huddlestone and the arrival of Wayne Rooney, Bird knows he needs to keep performing.
“We have got some very talented football players at the club,” he said. “The competition for places can only make things more competitive.
“It makes the standard of training better and hopefully we push each other as far as we can, and we will end up getting three points on a regular basis.”
