3/1 To Win
Midfielder Graeme Shinnie believes Derby County are heading in the right direction following a six-game unbeaten run which has seen them move closer to safety.
The Rams were left without a fixture last weekend following an outbreak of COVID-19 in the Rotherham United camp.
The game was postponed two hours before kick-off with the Rams already well on their way to the stadium.
However, the cancellation did mean that Derby were able to enjoy a period of rest ahead of a busy festive programme, which kicks off on Boxing Day at home to Preston North End (3pm kick-off).
Trips to Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday either side of the new year follow and with a chance to pick up some quick points, Shinnie believes the Rams ahead on heading in a positive direction.
“It’s been really good,” he told RamsTV when discussing Derby’s recent form, which has also seen them keep four clean sheets in succession.
“Clean sheets and zero shots on target against us in the last three games is massive for us. We know as a squad if we can continue that then it gives us a platform to go and win games.
“We have great forward players who will go and get goals like we showed against Swansea. If we can keep the ball out the back of our net, it’s a good combination.
“Full focus is on building the platform and trying to win games as much as possible to try and climb the league.
“There’s been a lot higher intensity recently. The players have bought into what the staff have asked of us and everyone is working off the same sheet. We all want the same thing.
“No one is happy to see a manager go; no one wants that. It’s a burden on the players if a manager loses his job and it isn’t easy to see a manager go.
“The new management have taken over and put a new spin on what they want and it’s just trying to adapt to what they want of us and trying to carry out their game plans. So far, it’s been good.
“We have had a few draws that we want to turn into wins, but we have had some really good performances to build on too.”
Last Saturday’s postponement against Rotherham did come as a frustration to the Derby squad who had prepared for the trip to the New York Stadium.
That game will now be replayed in a date yet to be decided in 2021 and Shinnie admitted the players were ready for the challenge of maintaining their unbeaten run.
“We were prepared for the game, everyone was up for it, we had our pre-match meal and were on the bus and ready to go,” he explained. “We had full focus on the game and looking to try and keep our run going and pick up another win after our good result against Swansea.
“To have the game called off so late was frustrating, but we have to deal with it, take it on the chin and get on with it.”
He added: “It was on the bus on the way there that it was the start of the whispers. I always think when the whispers start to come then it is off because full focus is always on the game and you never want to interrupt that. As soon as those little whispers come you always know it’s not good news. It was frustrating because we were ready and up for it to go again.”
