'Teams Lose, It's About How You Deal With It'

Derby County’s 12 game unbeaten run might be over, but Matej Vydra’s focus is immediately how the Rams can get straight on another one – starting against Leeds United next Wednesday.

Gary Rowett’s side were defeated 2-0 by Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough earlier this week – their first loss in the Sky Bet Championship since the end of November and their first on the road since September.

That came off the back of a 1-1 draw with Norwich City at Pride Park Stadium and Vydra, the division’s leading scorer with 17 goals, fully admits Derby have not been at their best.

“The run we have been on was very good, but over the last two games, we are honest enough to say that we haven’t played well,” the 25-year-old told dcfc.co.uk.

“We haven’t kept the ball well, not like we normally do, but our movement up front hasn’t been as effective.

“We had a couple of chances against Sheffield Wednesday, but we didn’t take them and on top of that, they had two shots on target and scored both.”

Vydra only has one aim now between now and the end of the season: “We have got 14 games left and we have to be targeting another unbeaten run now – starting, hopefully, with a win in our next match against Leeds.”

Speaking to the Czech Republic international, he now feels that there will be less pressure riding on the Rams’ shoulders.

Why?

“Now that we are third in the table, the pressure isn’t as big on us,” he added.

“When you’re second, everyone is chasing you and that is a pressure that Aston Villa have to deal with.

“If we are winning, everyone enjoys that, but now we have had a defeat, it’s more important to prepare right and make sure we bounce back in the next game.

“In the Championship, the games come quickly, and everyone will be playing each other. None of the teams in the top six are going to win every game between now and the end of the season. Teams lose, it’s about how you deal with it.”

That’s exactly the point here.

Sure, Derby’s unbeaten run is over, but it’s how they respond that matters.

Leeds United are first up – on Wednesday 21st February at Pride Park Stadium (kick-off: 7:45pm) – and Rowett’s men will be looking to keep up a healthy habit they have set this season when it comes to bouncing back from defeats.

The Rams have won three and drawn two of their fixtures that have immediately followed after a loss.

“Since the Sheffield Wednesday game we have had a week to prepare ourselves and be ready for the next game,” Vydra said.

“I think it will be important how we turn up for this one. If we start thinking about how we lost the game, that can count against you.

“That said, I think we are strong, we have got good experience; with players like Joe Ledley, Tom Huddlestone, Curtis Davies, Richard Keogh and Scott Carson.

“They are going to be important players and now we have to bounce back.”