Midfielder Max Bird is determined to leave everything out on the field in the final seven games of the 2021/22 campaign as Derby County bid to avoid relegation from the Sky Bet Championship.
The Rams have faced an uphill challenge to avoid the drop since the early part of the season as they were handed a 21-point deduction for entering administration and for historical breaches of profitability and sustainability rules.
But, Wayne Rooney’s side have fought bravely in their pursuit to overturn the hefty points total as they have displayed some encouraging performances which have reaped positive results.
Impressive home victories saw Derby rise off the foot of the table and to within touching distance of Reading who occupy the place outside the relegation places.
However, results elsewhere, coupled with a dip in form for the Rams prior to the March international break have seen them fall back to the bottom of the table with seven games of the season remaining.
Now refreshed following a much-needed two week break, Derby know the task which presents itself. They sit eight points behind Reading with 21-points left available.
Bird, who has been a mainstay in midfield for the Rams this term, is embracing the challenge of the final run-in and believes there is still a long way to go.
He told RamsTV: “We know we have got some very important games coming up and as a team we want to finish on a high. We want to achieve the goal which we set out from the start of the season.
“We spoke this morning as a group about putting in good performances, but just not getting the results, recently.
“We have been working on the training ground on what we can do to pick up more points and get more wins which is ultimately going to help us stay in this division. That is what we want and what the fans want. I think the international break came at a good time.
“The lads went away with their countries or on holiday and had a good rest. Now, we are ready. You can see in training in the last couple of days that we are ready for the run in and we are going to give it our all.
“We have seven big games and we are going to give it everything. We can focus on other teams but that isn’t what we are choosing to do.
“We are going to focus on ourselves, take it each game as it comes like we have done all season and the main aim is to get the win and get three points. Then we will see where we are after that.”
Derby’s first task will be to get the better of Preston North End who travel to Pride Park Stadium on Saturday.
The Lilywhites, under the stewardship of Ryan Lowe, sit comfortably in mid-table with a faint hope of reaching the Play-Off positions.
They themselves will be hoping for a positive start following the international break, but Derby’s form in front of their own supporters has been shining light this season.
Rooney’s side have only lost three games on home soil so far this campaign and Bird believes that getting off to a winning start is key.
“If we get off to a good start on Saturday then it gives us momentum going into the run in,” he explained.
“The manager and coaching staff spoke about it this morning that there is always one team that goes on a run at the end of the season, whether that be play-offs or in a relegation battle, and we need to make sure it is us. If we can get a win on Saturday then it puts in a good position I think.
“I have enjoyed it this season and everyone you speak to will say the same, even with the situation that we are in in the table. Everyone is enjoying it, the challenge has been brilliant and we want to finish the job off.
“It’s been the best changing room I have been in during my short time with the first team and I’ve really enjoyed it. The lads give it all in training and on the pitch.
“We fight for each other, have our mates backs and that’s all we can do. All the gaffer asks of us is to go out there and give it our all and that is what we are going to do in the last couple of games.”
