3/1 To Win
Johnny Russell feels Derby County are beginning to build up some momentum as they prepare to face Sheffield Wednesday in their second home Sky Bet Championship fixture in a week today.
The Rams come into this afternoon’s meeting off the back of a four-game unbeaten run, having recorded three draws – against Birmingham City, Brentford and Cardiff City – and defeated local rivals Nottingham Forest.
The latter result came a week ago as a goal in each half from Matej Vydra and David Nugent sealed another East Midlands derby win for Derby.
Russell, the 27-year-old Scotland international wideman, felt there were many pleasing aspects that Gary Rowett and his players could take away from the fixture as they rose to the ‘special occasion’ to deliver a result, especially for the supporters.
“They’re always special occasions, more so for the supporters, but it is up to us to go out and put a performance in that merits the jersey,” he told RamsTV.
“Although we didn’t play the best football last Sunday, we were solid and showed a togetherness to work hard.
“On top of that, though, when we did get a couple of chances we took them with real quality.
“Just because I maybe don’t support the club, we’re all football fans and we all know what derbies mean.
“Although it is another opportunity to get three points, there’s always something a little bit extra because it is a derby match. There’s always so much riding on it.
“The atmosphere is always good at Pride Park, but again, with derbies, there is always that little bit extra.
“The fans were in great voice last weekend and I think they enjoyed their day and their week at work alongside some of their rival colleagues!”
Next up is a Sheffield Wednesday side that has finished in the Championship’s play-off positions in each of the last two seasons.
Ahead of the game, very little separates the two sides with respect to the league standings. Both have 16 points to their name and the same goal difference, although Derby have played a game less.
Assessing this weekend’s opposition, Russell is expecting Wednesday to ‘show a reaction’ after they fell to a 2-1 defeat to the division’s bottom-placed side, Bolton Wanderers, a week ago.
“That result for them at the weekend probably came at the wrong time for us, because they are going to be coming here looking to show a reaction,” he added.
“I’m a believer in momentum and we have got that. We may have drawn a few more games than we would have wanted, but we had chances to win those.
“We’re four unbeaten, at home we have been solid and this is just another opportunity for us to get three points and take another step closer to where we want to be.”
