3/1 To Win
Central defender Curtis Davies was pleased to get 45 minutes under his belt as Derby County beat Peterborough United 2-1 in their first pre-season fixture of the summer.
Siriki Dembélé scored in the opening 90 seconds to put Posh ahead, however, the Rams turned the game on its head as goals from Louie Sibley and Festy Ebosele scored to ensure Derby got their pre-season off to a positive start.
Davies, who is taking part in his 20th pre-season as a professional, played the second half for the Rams as the majority of the squad managed to get 45 minutes under their belts.
And it was a comfortable afternoons work for the defender, who featured alongside new signing Mike te Wierik at the heart of the defence.
“It was comfortable,” he told RamsTV following the game. “We allowed them to have a lot of the ball but we were working on a bit of shape, we were working on being solid and I thought we could have scored a couple more goals.
“I think we should have had a penalty but it was good. 45 minutes in the legs is brilliant and we have only had two and a half weeks off, but it means you should not really need to much pre-season stuff.
“We needed a few runs to get our sharpness back but hopefully that is out the way now and we have a few games now and we need that game sharpness now.
“That is what is going to get you going. I was told Peterborough had already had five games and this is our first.
“It’s just about getting match sharpness, getting your head back into the game, your positions, everything like that, and then come the start of the season, when we eventually find out who we are playing, then we will be ready.”
It was a mixture of experienced players and youth players in both starting squads against Posh, with Davies lining up alongside Dutch defender te Wierik in the second half, whilst George Evans partnered Craig Forsyth in the first 45 minutes.
Although it is early signs, Davies has been impressed with what he has seen from Rams’ new recruit and believes it adds to the healthy competition for places amongst the squad.
“Mike been here since the back end of last season training with us,” he said. “He is a good player and is Dutch so he knows how to use the ball. He is a solid defender and it was enjoyable to play with him.
“It’s going to be interesting moving forward. There is a lot of competition for places. Even though they are not recognised centre halves but Andre Wisdom played there last season, Craig Forsyth has played centre half, George Evans played centre half today.
“There are a lot of those vying for those two places but you need to keep going in pre-season and hopefully your name is pulled out. If it’s not, then you work hard and keep going.”
Building up fitness work on the training ground is good, but nothing can replicate the match sharpness needed to ensure you are in the best possible shape going into the new campaign.
Pre-season training is something Davies is accustomed to now at the age of 35.
“It is a proper pre-season because you’re going in drenched in sweat after a three-hour session so you know it’s pre-season but we know it’s necessary,” he said.
“If we get it out the way, and with the games coming, we will be in a better position to move forward.
“You need to test the body and get it opened up a bit but it’s about doing in the right way and at the right times. We have had a game today and everyone has come through unscathed which is good.”
