3/1 To Win
Derby County goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith believes 'every game is important' in Sky Bet League One and says Saturday's clash with Barnsley at Pride Park Stadium is no different.
The Rams go into the game full of confidence following an impressive midweek display in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy against Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s, winning 4-1, and know three points against the Tykes will see them go level on points with their opponents in the league table.
Speaking to RamsTV ahead of the game, Wildsmith gave his thoughts on the return to league action on home turf.
On how he's feeling physically...
I'm feeling good. In terms of managing my body, I've been able to do so and get a good week on the training ground ahead of the Barnsley game. With the amount of games we've had recently, and the travelling, it will be nice to have a few home games now to crack on and get some results.
On the goalkeepers' union at Derby...
With what has happened with Josh Vickers, you don't wish on anyone, ever. Josh has been great after what he's gone through and the strength that he's shown has been amazing. He's been great in training and more than that he's been working hard and doing everything he would normally do. The goalkeepers' union is really strong at the moment and long may that continue.
On the training ground environment...
When things are positive, you can't beat coming into the environment. More times than not, it's a really positive bubble that you can get involved in and you can use your home life as an escape and everything football can bring.
On approaching more appearances for Derby County than he did Sheffield Wednesday...
It's nice to hear about milestones and have aims and aspirations as to how many appearances I do want to make. It's great that I've come in here because if you'd have told me at the start of last season that I'd have played every single game, I'd have snapped your hand off. It's great on a personal note for me to be playing so many games and really kicking on, on a personal level, but the biggest ambition for me is to do something with the team and make it a successful season, which is to get promoted out of the division.
On the home form turning around...
I think we've just taken the shackles off a little bit. We'd dominated most games at home in terms of possession and creating chances, it has just been about putting them away. Even in the EFL Trophy, it was an opportunity for us to get into a really good rhythm and score goals. It was great for Collo to get three goals because that will give him confidence. We've got a lot of home games coming up and confidence is really high.
On facing Barnsley...
It's almost a six-pointer because we are trying to catch up with them and we can use the three points to close the gap. Every game is important in League One because any team can pick points up against any in this division. The same importance goes into this one and we'll work hard to get ready for Saturday.
