Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne believes Saturday's Sky Bet League One clash with Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park Stadium (12:30pm kick-off) will have the feeling of a 'play-off game.'
Both teams go into the match in excellent form, unbeaten in their last five league outings and will be looking to extend that run in their first matches of the final month of 2022.
Speaking to RamsTV prior to Saturday's fixture, Warne previewed the return to Pride Park, spoke of the importance of building relationships with his players and also praised the work going on down at the Derby County Community Trust.
On visiting the Community Hub Food Drop-Off point on Thursday...
It was quite humbling when I walked in to be honest. The fans have brought food in and they will continue to bring it in for people who are struggling within the city so it's a nice gesture from the club - but obviously from the fans that have brought it in.
On what Derby County means to the community...
I had a meeting with the Head of Community in front of the players this weekend; I will try and use the lads in any way I can.
My job is to drive and improve them as footballers but also improve them as men too. The affects they have cannot be underestimated - when a player goes into a School or a Children's Hospital or wherever it may be - it has a massive impact and it's quite empowering for the lads and rewarding for the community. It's a relationship that should get stronger and stronger and whilst I'm in charge I will definitely encourage it.
On the past week...
It's allowed us a little bit more time on the grass; it feels a bit more normal.
It's been absolute chaos since we've been in the building as we've had a game virtually every second or third day, so to have a bit of normality this month - it will allow us to attack that time in the best prepared way we can. Success isn't guaranteed but it gives us a better opportunity to perform at a level to get success.
On Sheffield Wednesday...
Darren Moore is a really good bloke, he's done really a good job at Wednesday and built a team over the last couple of transfer windows to be really competitive - and they are.
Their league position doesn't lie and they will be up and about there come the end of the season so if we can be competitive against a team like that then we are making the right steps.
On Wednesday having a number of his former players...
I spoke to Will Vaulks a lot when he was at Cardiff City and I still speak to him a bit now.
I messaged Michael Smith this week because I know they've got Newcastle United in the FA Cup and I know he's a massive Newcastle fan.
I haven't spoken to Michael Ihiekwe as much, I've messaged him a couple of times to wish him all the best.
It is strange though because they go from your boys to suddenly not, but you still want them to do well. I do want them to do well, but not so well against us come the weekend!
On importance of relationship with players...
I like to think that we are building a relationship with the squad now and they know that we have their backs and we respect them and know we are there for them. That's all we can do as football coaches.
I'd like to think that everyone we have managed as a coaching staff respect everything we do. They don't have to agree with everything, but we just ask that they respect everything we do.
It's important to me that I have relationships in my life in and out of football that are important.
On returning to Pride Park...
We were joking that our home form since we've been here hasn't been amazing, but we've only played three times in the league!
It will be nice to come for a home game, it's nice, selfishly, for my family to come as it's still a bit surreal that I'm managing this football club.
I'm really looking forward to it and it won't take much to get the players up for Saturday because they know the importance of it. I think it will have the feel of a play-off game.
