"It Was Important We Put On A Good Display"

Scott Malone believes Derby County 'put on a good display' at Pride Park Stadium against Cardiff City and felt there is a positive feeling amongst the squad moving forward.

The Rams were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw as the Bluebirds' strong defence was able to counteract Derby's bright attack.

It was the full-back who opened the scoring after just six minutes, but just more than ten minutes later, the visitors drew level through Robert Glatzel’s penalty.

Derby continued to pile forward and create chances with Jack Marriott hitting the crossbar while Tom Lawrence and Martyn Waghorn missed the target by inches.

Malone said the team knew what they would be expecting from Neil Warnock’s side and felt that they dealt with them well by implementing the work they had put in on the training ground over the international break.

“It was a good start, but we knew it was going to be not your typical football game,” Malone told RamsTV following the final whistle.

“They put the ball in the box from everywhere and we had to be tough at times and I thought we were. They are going to have chances because that’s the way they play, they put the ball forward and test you.

“I thought we could have done a little bit better with the ball at times, but overall we did quite well.They are a big, physical side and I think we implemented what the gaffer has said over the international break. I thought we showed signs of that tonight.

“We had chances to win the game as well. It is a point on the board, it was important to go out there and put on a good display tonight. We have addressed a few things in the international break and we move positively forward.”

Derby set the tone early and after a brilliant run into the box by Duane Holmes it was Malone who was able to find the back of the net out of a cluster of white shirts in the area.

After failing to score in the two games ahead of the international break, the defender was delighted that the team had so many chances and believes it is a good sign moving forward.

“I don’t know how I got into that position to be honest,” he said.

“I think I just followed in Duane’s slipstream and I’ve ended up there. It was handed to me and I scored, but three or four could have scored before that. The ball went in the net and it set us up nicely.”

Malone added: “I think that is the pleasing thing, we are creating chances now. We get in the position to score and hopefully come out and score a few more. The side’s looking good after the break.”

The games don’t get any easier for Phillip Cocu’s side who now face what is sure to be an exciting meeting next Saturday when they travel to old rivals Leeds United at Elland Road.

Malone said: “It is going to be tasty, obviously after the play-offs last season. We have got to go there and do the same as we did last year, be on the front foot and in their face. We go there, you could say to cause an upset again looking at the table and how the two teams are doing by beating them again.”