Pre-Match Thoughts: Smith Expecting Tough Test At Forest Green

Derby County midfielder Korey Smith believes the side's fixtures over Easter are an opportunity for the Rams to bounce back from their recent form.

Derby go into Friday's match at Forest Green Rovers (3pm kick-off) on a run of three successive defeats and now sit outside the top six in Sky Bet League One, but now have the chance to take six points over a four day period with MK Dons the visitors to Pride Park Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm kick-off).

Smith sat down with RamsTV to preview the trip to Forest Green, a side the Rams defeated 4-0 on home turf back in December.

On how the team are feeling...

It's been a frustrating run for us. We've had good bits in our performances and obviously bits we need to improve. I don't think there was any lack of effort against Ipswich last weekend - our energy stats were one of the highest they've been in all year. The boys are working their socks off and giving everything, sometimes things just don't fall for you and it's unfortunate it didn't go our way.

The magic thing with football is we've now got a big opportunity to get back on track with two games in four days.

On how difficult it is to find positive in defeats...

You have to take the rough with the smooth. We're disappointed with the results as it's a results business but there were positives in the last few games, so we have to stick together. It's what we've done since we were kids, play football. We've got another opportunity coming up and we just have to look to that and try and get maximum points.

On whether he feels a responsibility being one of the older members of the squad...

I've tried to do that the whole season. We've got a lot of experience and leaders in our changing room and everyone is coming together and trying to go in the same direction. We don't want to go out and lose three games in a row but we can't just sit about and be sad, we've got more football to play.

On how far away the team are from the form of that long unbeaten run in the winter...

I think football can change at any time. Had a few decisions gone our way after half-time against Ipswich we may have had a bit of momentum and then gone on to win. Things then look differently and we could have already been on that run.

Sometimes it's better to be in a position where we go into the play-offs in form and if we can have that adrenaline going into it rather than sitting in it comfortably - it could be a blessing in disguise.

On how it feels to be back in midfield...

I've always played in midfield, so I do enjoy it there. Wherever I get asked to play, I hope everyone sees that I always try to give my best and wherever I'm asked to play I'll always give 100% for the team.

On what to expect from Forest Green...

Since the new manager has gone in there, they've become a hard team to beat. They put a lot of numbers behind the ball and they work hard.

Looking at their results, they may have lost a few but they are all very tight and all by the odd goal - they don't concede loads of chances.

It's going to be really hard to break them down and they'll be up for it, but as always we'll go there and try to win the game.