PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW: Clarke ready for the buzz of the Pride Park atmosphere

Defender Matt Clarke is ready for the ‘buzz and carnival atmosphere’ of Pride Park Stadium as Derby County look forward to their first home game of the 2025/26 season.

Derby will take to the Pride Park pitch for the first time in the new campaign when they host Coventry City on Saturday (12:30pm kick-off).

The inaugural home clash comes off the back of Derby’s dramatic Carabao Cup Round One antics away to West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night, where Joe Ward’s late equaliser in added time sent the tie to a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw.

John Eustace’s side came out on top from the spot to qualify for the next round and set up a trip to Premier League Burnley in Round Two.

Rested in midweek, Clarke watched on from the sidelines and says the Rams will be looking to carry the momentum gained in the cup into the league when they face the Sky Blues on home turf.

Clarke caught up with RamsTV ahead of Derby's first home game of the campaign.

On Tuesday night and the fighting spirit in the squad…

It was brilliant. As someone who was there supporting the lads, it was a really good night.

The fight in the group comes from the nature of the manager and the staff. They demand that every day. Even in the pre-season games, we go to some grounds that maybe don't feel like the biggest event, where you could be off the pace, but there's no room for that.

On preparations ahead of the Coventry game…

The game on Tuesday initially took priority, and that was the main focus at the start of the week. We've reviewed that and then moved on to Saturday, which is going to be a big game.

We expect a really tough match. It's still early in the season in terms of figuring out slight tweaks to systems and what new players will add to teams. There's still that unknown quality about the games, but we'll be concentrating on ourselves and looking to put our best foot forward and show a good account of ourselves.

On being back in front of the Pride Park crowd…

We finished on a really good note last year. You always look forward to the first home game. There's always a buzz, a carnival atmosphere at the start of the season. It's up to us to attack the game and give the crowd something to enjoy.