Goalkeeper Kelle Roos believes Derby County are looking strong at the back after the Rams drew 0-0 with Middlesbrough at Pride Park Stadium this afternoon.
The Rams’ shot-stopper had to be on hand in both halves to ensure the Rams earned a valuable point on home turf.
He denied Middlesbrough striker Uche Ikpeazu in the first half with his feet, whilst in the second half, he denied substitute Jonny Howson at the back post to ensure the Rams came away with a point.
With experience in front of him in the form of Curtis Davies, Phil Jagielka, Craig Forsyth and Nathan Byrne, the goalkeeper believes the Rams are in a good place defensively.
“I think we are looking safe as houses at the minute,” he told RamsTV. “From the back line; centre backs, full backs and sitting midfielders, I feel we are looking strong and working well together. I had to play my part today and I think I did.
“We had to challenge today, we had to fight but I think we had to do that in the final 10 minutes against Hull. It’s a positive that we stuck it out and we were strong.
“I think we looked in control in the first half. I think we made it very tough for Middlesbrough and they had to run after the ball a lot. We created a couple of chances and there was a moment the team needed me and that’s why I’m thankful.”
The Rams’ goalkeeper had to be alert, especially in the second half, as the visitors gained the upper hand and dominated large parts of the game.
“They changed their press a little bit which made it hard for us,” Roos admitted. “At this moment in time, we don’t have a big man up front and they wanted to make it a scrap.
“We couldn’t really find a rhythm of play like we could in the first half so it was a tough game.
“We had to dig in and I think against a team like this where they cross it, long throw ins, and we all know Neil Warnock’s teams come to fight. I think we dealt with it.
“We know what that team is about and I know what would have been said in their dressing room at half time.
“They would have said something along the lines of let’s make it a scrap, let’s fight for it and get physical and see if they want it, but we stood up to it.”
The Rams have two more fixtures before the international break comes into play in early September.
They start with a Carabao Cup clash against Sheffield United on Tuesday night before they take on Nottingham Forest in an East Midlands Derby clash on Saturday.
“I think we can look positively towards those games,” the goalkeeper said.
“We can learn from the second half today because we need to keep trying to force our game on to other teams, rather than the other way around, but it’s very positive that we kept our second clean sheet and we will take it.”
