As Derby County turn their attention back to the Emirates FA Cup, Graeme Shinnie believes the Rams must build on their latest victory as they look to ensure their progression to the Fifth Round.
Derby put on a stunning display under the floodlights at Pride Park Stadium to defeat Stoke City 4-0 in the Sky Bet Championship on Friday night with, arguably, their best showing of the season.
The game also marked Shinnie's comeback, off the bench in the second half, after he had been sidelined for two months with a hamstring injury sustained in the home victory over Preston North End in November.
Derby combined a brilliant all-round performance with a positive result and Shinnie is hoping the Rams can replicate that tonight when they take on League Two side Northampton Town in the FA Cup Fourth Round replay at Pride Park Stadium (7:45pm kick-off).
“It was probably one of the best games all season with the way the boys played,” the midfielder told RamsTV.
“I think we have played well in the season, but maybe haven’t been as ruthless as we were in Friday night’s game.
“It was an ideal pick-me-up after the frustrating loss at Luton, but it is all about building on it now. We can’t be stuck on that one, we need to roll it on now and keep the wins coming.”
The winners of tonight's replay will be rewarded with an exciting home tie against Premier League side Manchester Untied during the first week of March.
Northampton are two divisions lower than the Rams and the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, but Shinnie knows that Derby cannot underestimate the Cobblers in their visit to Pride Park, just as they weren’t underestimated in the goalless draw at PTS Academy Stadium last month.
The Rams have won their last four home games in a row and Shinnie says everyone is 'desperate' to make that five to set up a meeting with the Premier League giants.
“Both teams know the prize, so it is not only us that sees that,” the 28-year-old said.
“We know what Northampton are about having played them at their ground. We know what to expect.
“We know what we have to do to get through the tie and we are desperate to do it.”
He added: “We hope it will be different at home with our own supporters behind us.
“It is a beautiful stadium and a great pitch to play on. Northampton will be well up for it and we need to match that and play on top of that and carry on the football that we played on Friday and take it into this game and beyond.”