3/1 To Win
Former Derby County defender and club ambassador Marc Edworthy says he has been encouraged by the Rams’ five game unbeaten run in all competitions.
Derby have won three of those five matches, drawing the other two, following a productive end to 2019 and start to 2020.
Phillip Cocu’s side have won their last two games at Pride Park Stadium against Charlton Athletic and Barnsley, both by a 2-1 scoreline, to maintain this season’s fine home form.
Last-gasp equalisers in the draws at Wigan Athletic and Middlesbrough have displayed Derby’s strength of character on the road, as well as the impressive Emirates FA Cup Third Round victory at Premier League Crystal Palace at the start of the month.
Ahead of Saturday’s home fixture against Hull City in the Sky Bet Championship (3pm kick-off), Edworthy feels the Rams are in a position to approach the game in a positive frame of mind.
Speaking on the Derby County Show on RamsTV, the 47-year-old said: “We came back from behind on two occasions at Middlesbrough last weekend and the equaliser in injury-time would have made it feel like a win in the dressing room.
“The goal from Duane Holmes was a fantastic strike and it handed us another point on the road.
“We’re unbeaten in five games now, which is good, and it provides something for us to build on in the games ahead. It keeps the confidence going and now we need to back it up in the home game against Hull.
“Hull are a good side and I think this will be one of the toughest home games in the New Year, for sure. I think they are a good team.”
Edworthy, who made 85 appearances for Derby between 2005-2008 and helped the club win promotion to the Premier League during the 2006/07 campaign, added: “Things are still a work in progress and a few weeks ago I think we would have been beaten at Middlesbrough.
“We didn’t play well in the first half, the manager said as much, but we stuck in there and fought back to get a point.”
Edworthy, a regular pundit on RamsTV throughout the campaign, says another reason to be upbeat about the future is the form of youngster Jason Knight.
The Academy graduate has forced his way into Cocu’s starting XI over the last month.
The midfielder scored his first career goals in Derby’s home victory against Charlton at the end of December, while he was also on target in the 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough last weekend.
Commenting on Knight’s form, Edworthy said: “Jason plays with no fear and I love his energy.
“He is organised and has been telling the experienced players what to do, so he’s certainly fitted into the side really well.
“He’s got an exciting future and he’s making a name for himself early in his Derby career.”
