"That Performance Was Pleasing, The Three Points Were Better"

In the past two Derby County matches, Jack Marriott has had his first two Sky Bet Championship starts and first two Championship goals.

The 24-year-old forward supplied an assist for Craig Bryson after just 19 seconds before finding the winner against Sheffield United with a fine finish at Pride Park Stadium.

It was a superb performance by Marriott, following his goal at Queens Park Rangers, who was quick to praise his teammates for the character they showed against the South Yorkshire outfit that entered the match on the back of four consecutive victories.

“It really was a great start. Sometimes that gives the other team an edge to think ‘hang on a minute we are in a game’ and they get a bit of momentum and back in the game,” Marriott told RamsTV.

“But the character from the boys to get back in it was great.

He added: “Let’s make no bones about it, there is a reason they are at the top.

“What they do, they do very well, and they have done all season. So, to produce a performance like that from the lads against them was really pleasing and to get the three points was even better.

“It was a tough game and you run yourself in to the ground for the rest of the team. Even if you don’t score you want to work hard for the lads and I like to think I did that today.”

After holding the lead for most of the half, the Blades equalised with moments to go before the break. However, the second-half belonged to the Rams and their relentless pressure paid off when Marriott netted the winner.

Just minutes after glancing an effort wide from Craig Forsyth’s cross, they pair combined again and this time it was inch-perfect precision from both.

“That’s the sort of run I’d like to make, get across to the near post. It was a great ball from ‘Foz’ and I managed to guard it into the corner,” Marriott explained.

“The delivery makes it more than the finish. If he doesn’t put the ball there, then I don’t get the finish. I thought ‘Fozzy’ was great today and that cross topped it off.

“I’m trying to get momentum and a bit of consistency in the team and I just want to continue working hard and keep kicking on.”

There is no easing up for Derby who head to the West Midlands on Wednesday evening to face third-placed West Bromwich Albion before heading north to meet the new leaders, Middlesbrough.

These are the week’s Marriott relishes and he believes the Rams can keep pushing forward.

“It’s a good week. They are the weeks we want to have, we want to test ourselves.

“We have some great games coming, starting with West Brom and we will be fully ready and prepared and looking forward to it.”