Interim Manager Liam Rosenior wants Derby County to build on the positivity from the opening day victory over Oxford United last weekend and take it into this Saturday’s game against Charlton Athletic.
The Rams were 1-0 winners at Pride Park Stadium against Oxford as midfielder Conor Hourihane’s debut goal secured all three points in Rosenior’s first game in the dug-out.
Since then, Rosenior and the rest of the coaching staff have been busy on the training ground preparing the players for Charlton, who suffered late heartbreak last weekend as they conceded in a 90th minute equaliser to draw 2-2 at Accrington Stanley.
It’s the Rams’ first away game of the season and, backed by a substantial crowd of around 3,000 fans in the capital, Rosenior is keen to show Rams’ supporters just how he wants the team to play this season.
Rosenior spoke to RamsTV to preview the League One clash, as well as covering the latest news from the Derby camp, the loan signing of forward Lewis Dobbin from Everton and whether supporters can expect to see new faces before the end of the transfer window.
On Last Saturday’s Game…
It was a great day. I wouldn’t say it was perfect, I hope we can play better than that. I felt Oxford gave us a really good test and I thought they were better than a lot of Championship teams that visited us last season. I thought they put in a really good performance and made life difficult for us throughout the game. What really pleased me was the longer the game went on, the stronger we looked. For us to have a team that has pretty much been here three weeks - with the new additions, the fitness levels, desire, spirit and character of the players - it was the most pleasing aspect for me, as well as the outstanding atmosphere that the fans gave us. I said beforehand that the fans gave us energy last season and they gave us that exact same energy once again and hopefully we will give the fans a lot more to shout about through the season.
I want us to play a certain style of football. I think that’s really important because it helps you with your recruitment, it helps you understand the players that will suit your style of play and that was a pleasing aspect of how hard Oxford had to work to stop us scoring goals. I know a lot of people speak about playing out from the back and having possession, but when you have the ball the other team have to run so that’s the reason in the last 20-30 minutes we looked like the stronger team because we had 60% of the ball. We weren’t chasing it. I was delighted with that and hopefully that can continue on Saturday.
On His First Game In Charge…
Hopefully it’s something I will look back on in a few years’ time with great fondness. What was nice for me on a personal level was that I was representing this amazing football club. My first ever game was in front of 31,000 people and I don’t think many people are fortunate enough to say that. On top of that, my mum and dad were there. They know my journey, and they know how weird I was as a kid; so it’s authentic! They were so nervous before the game and I had to stay away from them beforehand because they were driving me crazy. I had videos from Erika, my wife, of my kids watching the game live because they are in Orlando at the moment. It was a great day for me personally. I don’t want to look back on that because I want more good days and more importantly, it’s about this club having many more good days. Hopefully that will continue this weekend and for many more weekends to come.
On Lewis Dobbin…
If you saw him in training today, you will see why I’ve been desperate to bring him in for the last three months. He has everything that you need to play at the highest level. He’s still very young, but what I like is his versatility. He is such a good footballer and can play off the left or the right. He can also play as a number ten and number nine too. What I also like is his tenacity. He works so hard without the ball; he has a great attitude and his character is really important too. He is going to fit right in here and the fans will enjoy watching him play for us. He has had a few matches with Everton in pre-season but he hasn’t completed a full 90 minutes yet. I want the squad to be ready for the full season so we need to take our time with him but when you have Lewis Dobbin in the building, you want to use him so it’s just getting that balance right.
On More Additions…
We are still working hard to add to the group. I said before last week that you get close to a deal happening and then a few things happen and then the picture changes. This transfer window changes every hour but we are still working really hard and are making offers on good players who I want in and will give us the strength and depth we need. It’s great to have a fresh face come in and it reminds the players that there is going to be competition for places and that’s how I want it.
On Injuries…
James Chester and David McGoldrick are back on course. Didzy is doing really well in terms of his recovery. He is ahead of schedule which makes me happy but I’m not going to rush them both. As much as you want to win every game and have them involved, I want us to put us in the strongest position in March. James Chester is a no for Saturday, Didzy is touch and go but I won’t risk him unless it’s 100% right for him and us.
On Charlton Athletic…
We watched Charlton in their pre-season game against Swansea City and also in their season opener away at Accrington Stanley last weekend. Ben Garner has come in as their new manager and wants to change the philosophy and style of play. A lot of clubs are starting to realise that the style of play is really important. They play an expansive brand of football which I enjoy watching so it will be a really difficult test. It’s their first home game of the season so that place will be rocking so it’s important we go there to enjoy the challenge and come back with the three points.
On The Away Form…
Last season had its challenges and we know about the away form. When you look at the squad last season in terms of experience and compare it to this season, that’s why we have recruited in the way we have. It doesn’t guarantee success but having more experienced players away from home gives you a better chance of winning. I understand the talk of last season but we have to be in a mindset now that last year has gone. All the hardships and adversity that we faced which brought us all together is in the past, what is in the present and future is us being successful both home and away.
