Matej Vydra has been hauling in awards after the ‘best season of his career’, but he revealed the most special is the award voted for by his teammates.
The Czech Republic international celebrated his 26th birthday on Tuesday night by collecting a hat-trick of awards at the End of Season Dinner.
Vydra was awarded the Highest Goalscorer, Players’ Player and Jack Stamps Player of the Season, the latter voted for by the fans.
In his second season at Pride Park Stadium and his first full campaign under Gary Rowett the forward has flourished, scoring four times as many league goals in this campaign.
He is also one goal shy of his 2012/13 season at Watford when he scored 22 goals in 41 games having played four games less so far this term.
After the presentations Vydra told RamsTV: “It’s a big honour for me. I’ve tried to do my best all season and it has shown, it has been the best season of my career.”
Along with the three club awards, Vydra has also been named to the EA Sports’ EFL Team of the Season, Championship Team of the Season and PFA Championship Team of the Year.
However, the one he holds in highest regard is the one voted for by his colleagues.
He added: “[The Players’ Player] means a lot to me because we are spending a lot of time together on the pitch, off the pitch, on the coach travelling to matches.
“Last season wasn’t my best and I said I had to be better this season and try to give my best for the team, they voted for me and I’m so happy. Hopefully I’ll help more in the last game then three more."
The secret to his success this season is a change in role where he is thriving, but also having a strong team around him to help elevate him.
“The first thing for me was playing in the number 10,” Vydra explained.
“The gaffer has given me the confidence on the pitch and the players help to find me in good places. When the team plays good then the individuality can come out.”
With 20 goals coming in the Sky Bet Championship, he is not only the leading goalscorer at this club, but with one game remaining leads every other club in the league too, joint with Aston Villa’s Lewis Grabban.
Bristol City’s Bobby Reid is also hot on their heels with 19 league goals and pushing them all the way to claim the Golden Boot on Sunday after the Rams face Barnsley in the final game of the season.
However, to Vydra the individual honour for most goals comes second to the performance of the team and achieving their collective goal.
“If we win the promotion for Derby County and I don’t score, I will be happy,” he said.
“If I score goals and help the team that’s great, but as long as we have the best performance from the team it doesn’t matter who scores.
“I hope Sunday will be a good day for us and for the club and supporters.”