Fri 28 Nov - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 4mins
Callum Elder believes Derby County’s players have shown their strong character and unity in recent days.
The Rams’ five-game winning streak in the Sky Bet Championship came to an end in dramatic fashion with a 3-2 home defeat against Watford last weekend, despite taking a two-goal lead early in the second half of the match against the Hornets.
Despite the setback and travelling to Swansea City in midweek without the injured Carlton Morris and suspended defender Dion Sanderson, as well as a number of other senior players sidelined owing to injury, the squad stepped up to the plate with a 2-1 victory in an impressive display.
The 30-year-old left-wing back has played a key role in the Rams’ recent form, which has propelled them into the top half of the table, and his strong performances recently saw him recalled to the Australia national squad for their November matches against Columbia and Venezuela.
Elder spoke to RamsTV at Moor Farm Training Ground to look back on the midweek success at Swansea and also preview Derby’s clash with Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
It was huge. We faced a bit of adversity after Saturday’s defeat against Watford, and it was tough to take. We were in such a good position in the game and felt pretty comfortable with 20-odd minutes to go. To lose in the manner we did was difficult, as minor details cost us. It shows that, at this level, if you don’t produce for 90 minutes on and off the ball, you can come unstuck.
We knew we needed a big response at Swansea, and I think we got that with a good away performance. We weathered the storm in the first half, with them having a new manager and starting well, and limited them to very few chances before growing into it.
If you are to have any success in sport, you need everyone pulling in the same direction. As a group, especially since I have been here, we have worked hard to create an environment in the dressing room where when someone joins the club, they are integrated into the dressing room quickly. Everyone brings their own character to the group, and we will support them in doing so. The support for everyone really is genuine. For example, Lars-Jørgen Salvesen joined us last January and while settling in at a new club he picked up a knee injury. He has worked hard to get back and he’s had to wait for his chance, but he has worked hard on the training pitch.
I had been in contact with the national team ahead of previous camps but not been selected, which is always tough. With international teams, there are always so many players to choose from so if you don’t get selected you just have to switch the focus back to club football and work hard.
To get a message that I was selected after the Hull City game earlier this month was amazing. I feel I have worked hard to get back into the squad and it is a big year coming up with the World Cup on the horizon. I am grateful for the opportunity, it was an amazing experience and a great chance to face some new teams and visit new cities, and I will keep working hard.
I’d had conversations with the new Australia manager previously about how he saw things and I am lucky to have such a great coaching staff here, and a strong group of players, to help us perform as we do.
We are excited. We have worked hard to get ourselves in the position we find ourselves in. Six wins from seven matches is really good form, so we’ll be looking to carry that on this weekend. We are up against strong opposition, but we’ll go there and look to stamp our authority on the game and produce another good performance.
Riverside Stadium
Middlesbrough
Hull City
Wrexham
Derby County
Norwich City
Birmingham City
Swansea City
Bristol City
