3/1 To Win
Shay Given says perspective and patience are two key words for Derby County as they look to quickly respond to Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Reading.
Derby’s 2020/21 Sky Bet Championship campaign began with a home defeat as the Royals netted twice inside five minutes before half-time to claim all three points on the opening day of the season.
Given, Derby’s Head Goalkeeping Coach on manager Phillip Cocu’s backroom staff, admits there is little time to get too downbeat with a single defeat.
Cocu’s side return to action at Pride Park Stadium on Tuesday night when they take on fellow Championship side Preston North End in the Second Round of the Carabao Cup (6:30pm kick-off).
The 44-year-old insists there is a positive feeling within the squad as they look to progress to the Third Round of the competition, with a home tie against either Brighton & Hove Albion or Portsmouth on offer for the winner’s of Tuesday evening’s match.
“We were disappointed to lose on Saturday, of course we were,” Given told RamsTV when reflecting on the weekend.
“We were back in on Sunday and were dismantling it, looking at the good and looking at the bad as well, especially the goals we conceded.
“Reading are a good team, but we felt both goals could have been defended better both individually and as a team, so we know what we need to do to improve. Offensively we must be better and cause more problems too.
“We wanted to get off to a winning start on Saturday, but it didn’t happen. We have had a day or so and are a bit more upbeat again as there is another game to prepare for. We want to put it right and try to get a victory to get the season underway.”
The delayed start to the 2020/21 campaign, as a knock-on effect from three-month suspension of the 2019/20 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, means clubs face a packed fixture schedule in the weeks and months ahead.
With the matches due to come around the corner quickly for most of the season, Given knows the opportunity to build up momentum, and respond to setbacks, will present themselves within a matter of days.
“You need perspective and you need patience as well,” he said. “We are still trying to finalise the squad and are hoping to get another couple of players through the door to help strengthen us.
“Perspective is a good word to use, but there is no getting away from the fact we are all disappointed as staff and a team and fans I am sure were as well.
“Collectively, we want to bounce back and with the cup game on Tuesday against Preston, we have an opportunity to put that right and try to get back to winning ways.”
He added: “This season has been condensed, we have started later and are due to finish as normal in May next year ahead of the European Championships.
“It is going to be a busy schedule and hectic time for everyone at the football club, but it is the same for every other club as well. Win, lose or draw you have to get over it in a good way, or not so good way, and the next game is the most important.”
