3/1 To Win
Tom Huddlestone has spoken of the importance of Derby County building on their rock solid defensive form that has been established over the last three games ahead of two tough looking away fixtures.
The Rams have kept three successive clean sheets and have actually only conceded two goals in their last five matches – during which they are unbeaten.
Three consecutive draws have been backed up by back-to-back home wins – over Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday – to catapult Gary Rowett’s men to the cusp of the play-off positions, but it’s clear that the club’s away form still needs to improve.
Derby have not won on the road since convincingly beating Bolton Wanderers 2-1 at the Macron Stadium in the middle of August.
Since the disappointing defeats at Sheffield United (3-1) and Bristol City (4-1), the Rams have turned a corner in a defensive sense and ahead of trips to Norwich City on Saturday and then Leeds United on Tuesday evening, two sides that currently occupy a place in the top six, Huddlestone is keen to see Derby maintain the trend they have been setting.
The 30-year-old told RamsTV: “Norwich will be difficult – it’s always tough going down to Carrow Road – but looking at the bigger picture we have got three tough games now before the next international break.
“We need to build on the clean sheets that we have got over the last few games and that’s going to be key when we are away from home first and foremost.
“After that, it is down to us to provide the forward players with the chances they are going to need to try and get those three points.”
Earlier this week on dcfc.co.uk, Joe Ledley spoke of the ‘Premier League quality’ that Huddlestone brings to the Derby midfield.
During his pre-match interview, the latter spoke of the balance that the Welsh international has brought to the Rams in the middle of the park and the partnership that the pair have struck up with top goalscorer Matej Vydra.
He said: “Myself and Joe can both play slightly deeper, but if we are needed to, we can be more advanced.
“The balance it gives us means that when one goes forward and the other sticks, we know the team is going to be in a good shape.
“He’s an experienced player that has played at the highest level for a number of years now. He brings in an added quality too.
“On top of that, the triangle we have with Vyds (Matej Vydra) just in front is a perfect one.
“If teams are putting pressure on us, it creates a lot of space for him to get on the ball and get into more dangerous areas.”
Just finally, is there any beard envy towards his midfield partner from Huddlestone?
“A little bit! Mine does actually stop when it gets to a certain length and then it goes a little bit ginger which doesn’t go with the rest of me,” he joked.
“I have tried to grow my beard – not to that extent – but it only goes so far before it is finished!”
