3/1 To Win
Liam Rosenior believes Derby County’s unbeaten run has heightened confidence that they are progressing in the right direction.
Derby started 2022 in thrilling fashion on Bank Holiday Monday as they came from 2-0 down to claim a 2-2 draw at Reading thanks to late goals from Colin Kazim-Richards and Curtis Davies.
The draw extended Derby’s run to four matches without defeat in the Sky Bet Championship, following three successive victories to see out 2021.
Rosenior, the Rams’ assistant manager, has admitted while the unbeaten run has been impressive - as the side continue to battle against relegation following a 21-point deduction - he feels there’s potential for more.
The 37-year-old says manager Wayne Rooney and his staff are not applying additional pressure to the squad, other than for the players to give their absolute maximum and see where it takes them in the weeks and months ahead.
“What this run does is give the group confidence in that we are working in the right way,” Rosenior told RamsTV after the draw at Reading.
“We can’t look too far ahead, we have just got to give our maximum in every single game, including at Coventry City on Saturday in the FA Cup and keep representing the fans that are paying fortunes to follow us around the country and paying fortunes at a time where a lot of people would have given up on us.
“We have got to represent them and represent ourselves in the correct way and I’m delighted we’re doing that right now.”
He added: “It’s a nice run, but I think we can be even better. We have to keep demanding the very maximum from the players but it’s nice that there is an element of confidence and hopefully that continues throughout the rest of the season.”
Derby will take a brief break from their league programme on Saturday when they travel to Championship rivals Coventry City in the Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup (12:30pm kick-off).
Rosenior has stressed the importance of the clash against the Sky Blues, particularly with the financial benefits that would follow alongside progression in the FA Cup.
“It’s an important game that we want to win,” Rosenior said. “We want to keep the run going that we are on.
“Coventry are a good side and you never know what can happen in the FA Cup.
“It would be great to go on a run in the competition, it’s really important financially that we do, and we will do everything we can to do that.”
