Post-Match Verdict: Richie Barker Vs MK Dons (A)

Derby County’s Assistant Head Coach Richie Barker was delighted with the effort shown by the side during the 3-1 victory over MK Dons on Saturday in Sky Bet League One.

The Rams came from a goal down to take all three points in Milton Keynes - a result which takes them into a play-off position.

Barker caught up with RamsTV after the game to give his verdict on the performance.

On the performance...

I think the most pleasing thing for me was, firstly, coming back from a goal behind very quickly and, secondly, the effort levels off the back of a fantastic shift from the group on Wednesday evening at Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.

It would have been easy to come here and say: ‘look we're a little bit tired from Wednesday night’ - so to do what they did was an amazing effort.

On the Derby support...

That was some effort but when you add to the fact we went to Liverpool on Wednesday night and then Torquay United last week and even last Tuesday at Morecambe; it's absolutely amazing.

For that many people to make that effort and for the goals to go in at that end in the second half is a massive reward for them. The fans have been great with us since we came and hopefully they can see improvements and what we're trying to do and stick with us through the good times and the bad times.

On responding quickly to conceding...

It would have been a different team talk at half time if we didn’t respond, however I think it was important for their confidence and for their energy levels. With all due respect as well, the squad is down to its bare bones. We keep throwing the same players out, players in wrong positions and they keep doing the right things. The goal was important and the second-half was excellent.

On set-pieces...

The third goal was excellent. Nat deserves that goal.

We talk about set-pieces all the time, the importance of them - they win you leagues and get you promoted.

On Craig Forsyth...

Absolutely brilliant. He's got people playing alongside him like Jake Rooney on his league debut today and he was there to help him. He's the stalwart of the back five and he's just a great lad and a brilliant servant to this club.

On the upcoming week...

We want to get through in the cup on Tuesday. Winning breeds confidence.

And then it's not just a long trip, it's a top six battle on Friday evening at Portsmouth. It's a really important game to us and it will be nice to get through the next two games and give the players a couple of days’ rest because they've put some effort in.

There’s a big five or six days ahead and then hopefully a couple of days to rest up and go again.