Bielik: “We Can’t Switch Off Now”

Krystian Bielik has made it clear that Derby County need to keep their foot firmly on the gas after extending their unbeaten run to six matches with an impressive 2-0 home win over Swansea City on Wednesday.

First-half goals from striker Colin Kazim-Richards and winger Kamil Jozwiak fired Derby to their first home victory of the 2020/21 Sky Bet Championship campaign.

Derby have picked up two wins and four draws from their six matches under the leadership of Wayne Rooney while the club waits to appoint a new permanent manager.

Those results are moving in the right direction after a disappointing start to the campaign.

Bielik, who has been in excellent form in midfield in recent matches after recovering from a long-term knee injury, has stressed the importance of the Rams keeping their focus ahead of the festive period.

Next up for Derby is a trip north to take on Rotherham United on Saturday (3pm kick-off) and a victory over the Millers, who have the same points return as the Rams, would see them move out of the bottom three.

Speaking to Sky Sports after Swansea game, Bielik said: “It’s a massive win for us and it had been a while since we got three points at home.

“We have played very well in the last six games, keeping four clean sheets as well, and we are trying hard. We deserved this result and from the first whistle we were ready for Swansea, but we must keep going now.

“We have a game in a few days, so we have to make sure we rest and go again. We cannot switch off now, we need more points to climb this table.”

As well as being unbeaten in six matches, Derby have also impressively gone four matches without conceding a goal.

During that time, which is over 360 minutes, goalkeeper David Marshall has rarely been tested and that statistic is testament to the performances of Derby’s outfield players.

“We are doing a great job in training with the coaching staff and then we try to take it into the game day,” Bielik said.

“The coaches are doing a lot of work with us every day and you can see we are compact and defending as a team.”