3/1 To Win
Full back Nathan Byrne is hoping Derby County can find some form of consistency between now and the end of the 2020/21 Sky Bet Championship season.
The Rams have struggled for form in recent weeks and are without a win in six games, however, they will be buoyed following an impressive second half against Brentford in midweek.
Derby found themselves 2-0 behind at half-time following goals from Ivan Toney from the penalty spot and Sergi Canos’ strike.
But the Rams, who made a triple substitution at the break, responded well in the second half and fought back.
Firstly, substitute Lee Gregory reduced the arrears, converting Byrne’s low cross, whilst with only four minutes of normal time remaining, Louie Sibley curled a superb effort into the far corner to rescue a point at Pride Park Stadium.
Whilst it wasn’t a win against the Bees, the Rams will be hoping to take the momentum from that game into Saturday’s clash against Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium.
“We were really disappointed with the first half,” Byrne admitted, talking to RamsTV ahead of this weekend’s game against the Potters.
“We know the quality they have got in this squad but we made it harder for ourselves with how we let them so much into the game.
“We knew we had to change at half time and credit to the manager – he changed the formation, brought a few lads on and it worked.
“You know when it is not right and as a group before the manager spoke, we discussed what had happened between ourselves and said something had to change - and it did.
“You could see the difference in intensity in the first minute of the second half. It wasn’t like the manager was ranting and raging everywhere, he just said he would rather we go out and lose by more than two goals than just let the game fizzle out. You saw the reaction.
“We know when we get it right we can match any team in the division, but we just need to keep working hard, keep plugging away and doing what we can to get results.
“There is no time for excuses, we need to keep climbing the table. It is down to us at the end of the day.”
The international break follows Saturday’s game against Stoke, meaning there are only eight games remaining in the campaign.
It’s been a condensed season owing to the COVID-19 outbreak in March 2020 but Byrne admits now is the time for Derby to try and gain some consistency which will hopefully set them up well for next season.
“It is game-by-game doing everything we can to get a positive result,” he said. “We have put in some good performances this year and we have put in some poor performances as well, so it is just about finding consistency – the Championship is about being consistent.
“We picked three wins in a week not so long ago so it can happen quickly, but it can also happen the other way. It is about addressing every game as it comes and giving everything.
“We have a group with a lot of talent and we all work hard and with the energy in the dressing room – you saw in the second half on Tuesday - we can outrun most teams.
“It is just putting the performances together over the 90 minutes and taking it game-by-game.
“It has been a strange season for everyone, especially with no fans. I think it is going to be strange when they return. We have just got to get on with it.
“We are blessed and lucky to still be coming in and working, exercising and running around for a living. There is no complaints from us, it has just been a crazy year for everyone.”
He’s also eyeing his own personal landmarks between now and the end of the campaign. The defender is yet to find the back of the net, but he’s contributed three assists so far this season.
“That is what I have built my game on, I want assists,” he explained. “I will take clean sheets and assists over anything.
“I am just going to keep putting myself in areas to help the team and hopefully the lads can get on the end of it.
“A first Derby goal would be nice, hopefully it will come in the next few games.”
