3/1 To Win
Shay Given says no-one in the Derby County camp is getting ahead of themselves despite a positive run of form.
Saturday’s 2-1 home victory over Reading saw Phillip Cocu’s side record four successive league wins for the first time this season.
The win over the Royals was their first game back at Pride Park Stadium after the resumption of the season following the COVID-19 outbreak.
The global pandemic saw the season halted for just over three months at a time when the Rams were just getting into their stride.
Derby’s form from the Christmas period onwards had been encouraging and, positively, they have carried on where they left off by defeating both Millwall and Reading.
Cocu’s side are three points off the division’s top six with seven games left to play, of which six are against opponents above the Rams in the table.
Next up is a trip to Preston North End on Wednesday night and Given, who is Derby’s Head Goalkeeping Coach, says the Rams’ thoughts are only set on the trip to Deepdale and nothing else.
“It’s been great,” Given told RamsTV when speaking about Derby’s return to action.
“We had a rushed mini pre pre-season after the break in the season and while we could have done with an extra week, the games are underway now.
“We have had two victories in our last two games, so we are really happy with how that has gone so we roll on the next game which is the most important.”
He added: “With the way we want to play and the way we played before lockdown, the really good run of form we were in, we have continued that.
“It breeds confidence and we believe that we can keep that going, then we hope to push hard and try to get into the play-offs.”
The EFL’s guidelines as part of the resumption of the season are for all matches to be played behind-closed-doors.
Clubs must adhere to strict social rules both before, during and after games and Given admits everyone - both players and staff - have had to adapt quickly.
Playing before empty stadiums is a new experience for many and Given says the backing of the Rams’ faithful is missed.
He said: “It’s strange circumstances but we all have to adapt, change with it and be ready for the games.
“We do miss the fans, there is no getting away from that. Pride Park is fantastic place to play and the fans are fantastic for the team; we do miss them but we can’t change that.
“We hope they are back sooner rather than later. We don’t know when that will be but we’ve got two victories, but hopefully they are watching at home and enjoying what they see.”
