Stearman: “It Can Be A Tricky Game If We Don’t Approach It In The Right Manner”

Central defender Richard Stearman knows that Derby County need to approach Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup Round One clash against Mansfield Town in the correct manner if they are to get a positive result.

The Rams’ defender, who signed a one-year contract extension with the club this summer, is warning his side against complacency as Derby head to the One Call Stadium to take on the Stags to compete for a place in Round Two.

Derby beat Oxford United 1-0 on the opening day of the Sky Bet League One season, whilst they suffered defeat on the road by the same scoreline against Charlton Athletic at the weekend, despite a strong first-half showing.

Although they returned home with nothing to show for their efforts, Stearman knows there are positive signs for Derby as he spoke to RamsTV ahead of the cup clash. He covered a range of topics, including his role in the squad and how important the dressing room culture is to success.

On Derby’s Start To The Season…

I’m excited for the game. We have had a mixed start results wise in terms of one win and one defeat, but I think you can see the process we are trying to create and the way the manager is trying to get us to play. Especially in the first half against Charlton, it was excellent football. It was great to watch and we are just trying to continue that now and pick up some good results.

On Saturday’s Defeat Against Charlton…

My feelings are frustration in terms of the result, but optimism due to the way that we played in the first half. This is a process. The team has been thrown together inside a month and we’ve not had long together. The manager is getting us to play a certain way and you can see how that is bearing fruit but it’s going to take a little time for everyone to fully understand the roles. It did last year because that was also a team thrown together but it produced some very good performances and results - so that’s the sort of goal we are trying to get to. It will take a little bit of time and we need to be patient with it but I think you can see from the way the boys played in the first half against Charlton and in patches against Oxford then it bodes to be an exciting year for us moving forward.

On The Dressing Room…

One of my roles in this team is trying to keep a good spirit and get the lads going and together. I think that’s vital for any team but for one that is trying to create a successful season and certainly one that is new together, it’s a very good dressing room. The characters in there have all been there and done it and they’re very good guys and wanting to learn and be successful.

On His Recruitment Role This Summer…

I’ve been around the block a few times and in the game for a while, so I get to know someone or some staff member of every team. I’m fortunate that I get on with most people I come into contact with so the lads who have been brought in are no different. I was keeping tabs with a lot of the players over the summer, trying to get them to join Derby so luckily some did and that has helped create the squad we have and the bonds have been built quickly. I think it was necessary as a group that the lads knew each other as well as it speeded up the process as well.

On His Role In The Squad…

Ultimately I want to win, whether I’m on the pitch, on the bench or in the stands. I will do whatever I’m needed or required to do to help my team win. If I could pass on my knowledge to whoever is doing recruitment and give my opinion on players or help the lads play against a certain team or player that I’ve played against, or help the young lads coming through, if that is required for us to win games of football then that’s what I’m going to do. Whether I’m playing or not, I just want to win.

On Mansfield Town…

It can be a tricky game if we don’t approach it in the right manner. It’s a chance for the manager to take a look at a couple of other players, rotate or get boys minutes that need minutes or vice versa. With it being a local team, it’s going to be a bit spicy which will be enjoyable for the fans, I’m sure. It is a tie that the manager wants to win so it will be an interesting match and one we are excited about.