3/1 To Win
Shay Given says everyone in the Derby County camp is looking forward to the prospect of playing some big games in the next few weeks.
Derby have seven fixtures to play during July in order to complete the 2019/20 Sky Bet Championship season.
The campaign resumed towards the end of June after a three-month suspension due to the COVID-19 outbreak, albeit with matches being played behind-closed-doors.
Back-to-back wins against Millwall and Reading after the restart, combined with Derby’s form before the temporary suspension of the season, have seen the side record four successive league victories.
Phillip Cocu’s side have risen up the table to eighth spot and three points off a place in the top six.
Derby’s run-in will provide a number of big tests in the coming weeks as they face six sides above them in the table in their final seven fixtures.
They will take on Preston North End, Nottingham Forest, West Bromwich Albion, Brentford, Cardiff City and Leeds United before heading to Birmingham City on the final day of the league campaign.
Given, who played most of his career in the Premier League as well as recording well over 100 caps for the Republic of Ireland, says his experiences as a player made him relish the big games.
Now working on Cocu’s coaching staff as Head Goalkeeping Coach, the 44-year-old believes it is a mentality displayed by Derby’s players.
Next up for Derby is a trip to Preston tonight (5pm kick-off), with the two sides only separated in the table by the Lilywhites’ superior goal difference.
“We have some massive games coming up in the next few weeks and it’s against teams around us and that’s great,” Given told RamsTV ahead of tonight's game.
“The big games were the ones that I used to enjoy as a player - the bigger the game the better - and the players are really looking forward to the games ahead. They are against teams around us and fighting for top six; we are very much in the mix now.
“I always think these games are better because there is more at stake for either clubs and we feel that our team can rise to the occasion.”
Derby endured a difficult start to the season as Cocu’s new-look squad, following Frank Lampard’s departure to Chelsea and the loss of several players during the season, was assembled.
As the season has unfolded, as especially since the Christmas period, the Rams’ results and performances have shown more consistency.
Given commented: “The top six will be the top six come the end of the season and if we are in there then that will be absolutely brilliant, and we will have absolutely deserved it.
“We all agree that we had a slow start to the season but from 1st January, we have been top of the form table so we are in really good form. Our mentality is strong and positive, and we are focused on the games coming up.
“They are tough games, but we believe that we have the team in the right balance and hopefully we can get the right results.”
