Pre-Match Thoughts: 'It's Positive All Around The Club' - Ward

Derby County's Joe Ward says there's positivity 'all around the club' following back-to-back 3-0 victories in their last two games in Sky Bet League One.

The Rams responded to back-to-back 2-1 defeats against Barnsley and Charlton Athletic with impressive 3-0 wins at home to Port Vale and away to Bristol Rovers and are now looking to make it three on the bounce when they welcome Reading to Pride Park Stadium on Tuesday evening (7:45pm kick-off).

Speaking to RamsTV, Ward reflected on the side's recent results, forcing himself back into the starting line-up and looked ahead to Tuesday's match with the Royals.

On the feeling in the dressing room after back-to-back 3-0 wins...

It's always good after the win. It's positive all around the club and around the team at the moment and we've got to keep that going forward because that energy and positivity is massive.

On the character of the group to respond to back-to-back defeats...

Clearly we weren't good enough in those losses against Barnsley and Charlton and we had to change that and I feel as though we have. There's nine more to go and we've just got to give it everything.

On his performance against Port Vale with two assists...

I was saying to a few people beforehand that I needed a good performance, especially at home. You've just got to focus on yourself and I've been doing that for a long time, making sure I'm right to step in at any time. I got my opportunity and took it, hopefully.

On how much his heel injury in August disrupted his season...

I had a good pre-season and felt good going into the season, but that was disappointing and annoying to get. However, that happens in football. I've just been trying to get back to where I was prior to the injury and hopefully I'm in a good place now and it continues. I feel like I'm in a good place and as a team we're in a great place so we've just got to keep it going.

On the next two home games against Reading and Bolton Wanderers...

We approach them just like every other game. We're focusing on Tuesday against Reading most importantly, going into it with positivity. We want to take the game by the scruff of the neck and try and get the win.