3/1 To Win
Phillip Cocu has made it clear he expects a positive performance and result from Derby County’s players when they head to Birmingham City on Wednesday evening (7:30pm kick-off).
The clash against the Blues across the Midlands will be Derby’s final fixture of the 2019/20 Sky Bet Championship season.
Derby sit in 12th spot in the table and, from the outside, appear to have nothing to play for – but Cocu doesn’t see it that way.
The Rams’ boss believes it is important to end the season in a positive frame of mind ahead of kicking off preparations for the 2020/21 campaign in the near future.
Cocu says his players owe it to themselves, and the absent Derby fans with matches still played behind-closed-doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to round the season off well.
A victory could see Derby record a top ten spot, while their opponents still have something to play for as they sit two points clear of the relegation zone ahead of the final round of matches.
“They need a point at least,” Cocu told RamsTV when asked about facing a side with something to play for on the final day of the season.
“They are not depending on other results which is good, so there is something at stake to play.
“As a player, you need to feel certain pressure always, but within yourself you need to feel the ambition to end the season with a good game of football and a good result.
“If we do not have that within ourselves, that would worry me. I am sure we will give a good performance.”
He added: “You’re never guaranteed about a win, but we will give our absolute best in the last game. We owe it to ourselves but also to our fans who are unable to come but to see the game on television.”
Cocu, who is 49, has overseen 51 matches as Derby’s manager in the 2019/20 campaign.
