Striker James Collins says Derby County are looking to bounce back quickly from a rare defeat when they travel to Fleetwood Town on Saturday (12:30pm kick-off).
Derby go into the game off the back of the last minute 3-2 New Year's Day defeat to Peterborough United at Pride Park Stadium, their first league loss in ten matches since the closing stages of October, and Collins believes the side will need to show character to bounce back at the first attempt.
Speaking to RamsTV ahead of the trip to Charlie Adam's Fleetwood, the striker reflected on the Christmas period, his own personal form this season and previewed the trip to the Cod Army.
On the results over the Christmas period...
I think if you'd have said before the games that we'd get nine points out of 12, we'd have taken it. With the run we've been on, the way we were playing and going 2-1 up against Peterborough, it's a bit more disappointing. If I'm being totally honest, I probably thought that Peterborough deserved a draw at least. They were one of the better sides we've played this year.
On the positive recent run of eight wins, one draw and one defeat...
Going on the run we did, it always breeds confidence. Breaking into the top six, then the top four and having a chance of the top two with a game in hand, it's certainly made us confident. We had a little set-back against Peterborough but it's nothing major, it's how you bounce back and show character. We will certainly need to show character on Saturday because Fleetwood have just got a new manager, it can be not a very nice place to go with it being windy and tight and it's a fresh start for them to show the manager what they can do.
On not letting the Peterborough loss impact the confidence...
You've got to look back at how we performed prior to that game and we actually played quite well against Peterborough - it was a good advert for League One. We don't lose confidence from one defeat. You have to take a step back and look at the Christmas period and the matches before that, we played some good stuff and beat some good teams, so the lads aren't too downbeat.
On his 15 goals this year...
On a personal note, I'm really pleased. I'm getting a good run of games now, a bit of consistency and I feel fit and healthy. The team being confident is good for a striker too because everyone is creating more chances to score goals and it's a good place to be. To have 15 goals at the turn of the year, I'm really pleased with that but I want more and to help get this team promoted.
On being involved in every game this season...
I always take big pride in keeping myself fit. I think if you can stay fit and available you'll always have more chances of playing and scoring. I can't score goals if I'm injured so I like to look after myself off the pitch, at home and do my extras.
On Fleetwood having the 'new manager bounce'...
They've been on a tough run and with a new manager coming in they'll be seeing this as a chance to turn a corner. They will fancy their chances but it's about how we perform, show our character and bounce back. If you want to get promoted, you have to go to away from home and win. We battled there last year and ended up drawing 0-0 early in the season and that could have been the point that cost us the play-offs. We need to concentrate on ourselves and try and get the victory.
