3/1 To Win
Striker Jack Marriott believes he is getting back to full match sharpness after a stop-start campaign last time around.
The 25-year-old has played 45 minutes in each of Derby’s first two pre-season fixtures against Peterborough United and Doncaster Rovers this week.
He featured in the first half in the Rams’ 2-1 victory over Posh on Wednesday at St George’s Park, whilst he was also named in the side that played out the opening 45 minutes against Rovers on Saturday afternoon.
Against Doncaster, Marriott went close on two occasion . Early on, he was denied Doncaster Rovers goalkeeper Josef Bursik, whilst as the half came to an end he was again thwarted by the shot-stopper from close range.
The 2019/20 campaign was tough for Marriott, who suffered from a groin problem throughout the season and required surgery in early June.
He feels he is building nicely for the season and is in a good place.
“I’m feeling really sharp,” he told RamsTV. “It's pre-season, the goals will come.
“That weary side of the post-surgery is still there a little bit but that sharpness in front of goal will come when there is a little bit more in the legs and they are a little more adjusted to unleash a few more shots at goal.
“I’ve recovered from surgery now which is great. I came back quicker than expected and I have put myself in a really good position.
“I only want to build on that and I need to make sure I don’t get any little niggles. I shouldn’t do as structurally it’s all good so as long as we can keep maintaining it, and I will remain in contact with the manager and the medical team. So far, so good.
“I’m feeling sharp, feeling good and enjoying it so hopefully that will continue.”
Marriott is seeing the benefits from a full pre-season, something which he hasn’t been afforded since joining the club in the summer of 2018.
The striker joined Derby half way through pre-season ahead of 2018/19 under former boss Frank Lampard, whilst last season, his pre-season was interrupted due to an injury shortly after Phillip Cocu's arrival.
“It does feel like pre-season, despite the short break between last season and the one coming up,” he said. “It has been tough, but the staff are getting us up to a level which means that we should hit the ground running come the first game of the season.
“It was good to get back out there again today and build on the game against Peterborough. At this stage of pre-season it’s all about getting minutes in the legs and getting the body adjusted again, even after a short break of two and a half week, we still need to get our bodies adapted to the matches.
“Peterborough and Doncaster are two good teams who I think will be in and around the play-offs in League One this year. They are two tough teams so it has been a good test, especially in the early stages of pre-season.
“It’s good for the lads and good to implement some of the tactical things that the manager has been speaking about which is great. It is about getting minutes in the legs.”
