James Collins was at the double as Derby County secured their first away victory of the season in Sky Bet League One with a 2-0 win at Cambridge United on Saturday.
A goal in either half from the Rams' number nine was enough to ensure that the three points came back to Derbyshire and gave new Head Coach Paul Warne a perfect start in his first game in charge.
After falling to a 3-2 defeat at home to Plymouth Argyle on the day Collins scored his first goal for the Rams last month, the striker was delighted to see the team come out on the right end of the result this time around.
Speaking to RamsTV after the game, Collins also praised Warne for his influence during his first week in charge.
On his two goals…
I am delighted today. It’s a completely different feeling to get a couple of goals on the road and get three points. There’s not many better feelings to be fair. I am buzzing. It is a great day all around for everyone and I thought the lads were really professional and played really well today.
On the first away win…
Other than the defeat at Lincoln, we’ve played really well on the road this year. Charlton was probably the best we’ve played all year in the first-half. Fleetwood and Shrewsbury – we were great but just didn’t win. So today we probably haven’t played as well as we have in those previous games but we got the three points. We will take that all day.
On pressing from the front…
I always try and work as hard as I can for the lads. I’ve done it all my career. That’s what the gaffer wants. He wants the front lads to press at every opportunity and put people under pressure. Fortunately for me the lad missed the ball for the first goal and I managed to slot it away. It was right before half-time as well, which always changes the game.
If you don’t put the pressure on, the defenders get the easy way out and you don’t get the chances - so you get the reward for working hard.
On Max Bird’s assist for the second goal…
Birdy did great. He’s a lovely footballer and sees a great pass. When I passed the ball to him, he got closed down quite quickly so I knew he was going to cut it back for me. I didn’t catch the strike very well to be honest, it was on my weaker foot and I just thought 'hit it hard and low' and the goalkeeper gambled on it going across him so I’ve managed to sneak it in at the near post.
On the battle with defenders…
That’s what you’ve got to do away from home. They are a big side, they are very direct and you’ve got to stand up to it and win your duels.
I think the back three were excellent today. Away from home you’ve got to win your battles probably more than at home, especially on a tight pitch with the way they play. It was probably not the prettiest but overall a good professional performance and three points.
On Paul Warne…
He’s been great. I know quite a lot of lads that have played under him at Rotherham in the past and as soon as he got the job they messaged me saying what a great bloke he is, and I’d love him and he’s right up my street. To be honest with you they are right; he’s been great with me since he come in and the way he wants to play will help me as well. He wants balls coming in the box and so I’ve got nothing but positive things to say.
On whether he can flourish under Warne…
I hope so. As you can probably see today, it’s a good start but I’ve got to keep putting in performance. As much as he is a nice bloke, if you’re not doing it for him then you won’t be playing so I’ve got to make sure my performances stay high and hopefully the goals will come.
On the busy schedule ahead…
We have got to back it up now. We’ve got a game on Tuesday in the Papa Johns Trophy at Mansfield and then Port Vale next week at home in the league. We need to go and get another three points in that, which would put us in a good place ahead of the back end of the month.
The lads know how important this month is leading up to Christmas so hopefully we’ll be in the mix come the end of the year.
On the Rams fans…
I’m glad I got a goal down at their end. It didn’t feel like anyone was celebrating up at the other end for my first goal because they were so far away, so I’m glad I got a goal down in front of them. They’ve been great, they are the best fans in the league by a mile. Credit to them, they came down in their numbers again and hopefully they keep doing it because it’s a massive boost for us.
