Pre-Match Thoughts: 'We've Got To Put It Right On Saturday' - Thompson

Derby County midfielder Liam Thompson says the team have to show an immediate response to their 1-0 midweek defeat to Reading.

The Rams went down 1-0 against the Royals on the road, three days after being held to a goalless draw at Lincoln City, and Thompson knows a response at Pride Park Stadium is needed when Cheltenham Town are the visitors on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Speaking to RamsTV ahead of the match, the midfielder spoke about his reccent comeback from injury and reflected on the last couple of results.

On getting his first league start since August last time out at Reading...

Having that first league start for so long, that last one was August, it felt like I've sort of overcome my injury now and I'm starting to pick more minutes up.

On how he's feeling after making his comeback...

I feel fine, I feel as good as I did before. With all the rehabilitation work I've done, I feel like I've almost come back a bit stronger too. I'm feeling good.

On changing his aspirations this season due to injury...

I don't think I've had to change anything. As a group, we've got the end-goal of getting promoted this year and since the start of the season it's always been my target to get as many minutes as I can. Obviously, being injury free would have been in there too but that's already gone out of the window! I'm just hoping to be involved as much as I can and stay injury free until the end of the season.

On how he feels his performances have been since injury...

My first game properly back out there was Oxford in December and I got the goal to make it 2-2, which was brilliant. I felt good in that match, even though it was only 15 minutes or so. I feel like I've been fine, it has maybe taken me a few matches to get back to normal.

On the last two results...

The lads are disappointed, not only with the result the other night at Reading but the performance as well, we knew it was nowhere near our standards. As we've been on such a good run in the last few months, losing one always feels like a kick in the teeth. What it does do is gives us another opportunity to start another unbeaten run. The lads are still confident, we know we've got to put it right Saturday and get a reaction.

On whether it's easier to start another run knowing the team have put one together previously...

Yeah, definitely, but the confidence that is going through the group at the minute really helps. When you're performing well and winning games, it's the best feeling.