3/1 To Win
Kasey Palmer felt that ‘silly mistakes’ cost Derby County during their 3-3 draw against Reading at the Madejski Stadium.
Palmer put Derby ahead after just six minutes, but Liam Kelly and Mo Barrow both netted for the Royals before captain Richard Keogh levelled the match on the stroke of half-time.
The Rams regained the lead less than a minute after the restart, but Jón Daði Böðvarsson earned the hosts a point with a late equaliser.
Chris Baird received a straight red card in the final minutes of the match after a foul on Barrow.
Despite controlling most of the second period, Derby were unable to hold onto their lead and goalscorer Palmer felt that uncharacteristic errors cost them the points.
He told RamsTV: “I think it is just silly mistakes that have cost us in the last few games and as soon as we cut that out, we will be back to winning ways again.
“The little things were really going for us earlier in the season from what I am gathering from the boys, but it is not quite going for us now, like hitting the crossbar. We have just got to keep on going and keep on believing.
“If you look at the table, it is not as far gone as you think after dropping so many points, so we are still really involved in the automatic promotion push.”
The midfielder, on loan from Chelsea, netted his second goal in the space of four days, after notching his first during the 2-2 draw against Leeds United on Wednesday night.
The 21-year-old was pleased with his own performance but it is the end result that means the most to Palmer.
“To score again so early in the game and to put the team in front was a great feeling.
“I think it is overshadowed by dropping more points, which is quite disappointing. Picking up points is the most important thing and we failed to do that.
“On a personal note I am really happy, I think I played well today. I worked hard, got a goal and an assist for Tom, but it’s a team sport and you can see how disappointed everyone is and how upset fans will be over the result.”
Gary Rowett’s side are next in action on Saturday 3rd March, where they host promotion-chasing rivals Fulham at Pride Park Stadium.
Palmer feels that the upcoming fixture is one that is tough but one that the Rams are capable of winning if they recreate the positive signs that they showed against Reading.
He added: “I think there is no hiding how big that game is now, especially with how many points we have dropped in the last few games and where Fulham are in the table.
“We have to go out there and be confident and I think if we perform how we played for the first 20 or 30 minutes in the second half today, then I think we will be fine.”
