Cocu: “I Am Very Pleased With The Win And Clean Sheet”

Phillip Cocu called on his Derby County players to provide him with a late birthday present in the lead-up to this afternoon’s Sky Bet Championship fixture against Middlesbrough - and he got exactly what he wanted.

Cocu, who turned 49 earlier in the week, was delighted with his players as they ran out 2-0 winners against Jonathan Woodgate’s side at Pride Park Stadium.

Welsh international forward Tom Lawrence found the back of the net in either half to fire the Rams to a fourth straight home win.

Derby’s cause was aided by the dismissal of Boro midfielder George Saville late in the first half for a strong challenge on Krystian Bielik.

Cocu was satisfied with the way his side went about their business, creating plenty of opportunities going forward and also remaining tight from a defensive aspect.

Speaking to RamsTV after the final whistle, Cocu said: “I am very pleased with the win and the clean sheet. I think the lads gave everything to give the fans more goals.

“We were very close to getting more, but in the end a 2-0 win is a good an important win today so I am happy.

“We had plenty of chances today; we wanted to create more chances and we managed to do that.

“We scored two good goals, which is pleasing. The first was a great move and finish and the second was very good also.”

Cocu went with two up front for the first time this season, with Jack Marriott and Chris Martin leading the line.

Behind them a midfield diamond of Krystian Bielik, Graeme Shinnie, Duane Holmes and Lawrence provided a good balance to the side.

Cocu felt Derby’s display was a good example of how he wants his players to perform on a regular basis.

He said: “When we played eleven against eleven, we had a slight change of tactics because of the way that Middlesbrough played. Not when we had the ball, but especially when they had possession.

“It worked out very well. Tom Lawrence created some good situations and supporting Chris Martin and Jack Marriott up front.

“It was a little bit more focus on the centre part of the pitch and we scored a great goal for the first today. It was a good example of what we try to accomplish this afternoon.”

Cocu was also keen to highlight the contribution of defender Matt Clarke.

The on-loan Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back made a crucial block early on to deny Britt Assombalonga a certain goal and also produced a solid performance alongside Curtis Davies.

He said: “In this first moment of the game, there was a bad pass and we lost possession.

“It was a key moment. When you win 2-0, you say it is a good victory but Matt’s block was decisive for the game so we can thank him.”

On the decision to send off Saville for his tackle on Bielik, Cocu felt the challenge from the Middlesbrough player was a strong one.

Having not had the chance to review the incident again prior to conducting his interview, Cocu didn’t want to comment any further prior to watching the footage back.

“It is hard to say if it is really red, I didn’t see it back,” he explained.

“It is a decision on the referee, he has to make a split-second decision. It was a strong tackle, but I don’t know if it was a red card without seeing the images.”

On Bielik picking up a heavy knock, he said: “He has a little bit of pain still in his ankle but he could go on in the second half.

“He had one more hit and I think it was his hip or his thigh and I didn’t want to take any chances and it was good to get George Evans back on the pitch after some time out.”

Derby return to Sky Bet Championship action, in their final game before the November international break, with a short journey across Brian Clough Way to take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground next Saturday (12:30pm kick-off).