Derby County Interim Manager Liam Rosenior was delighted to register three points on the opening day of the 2022/23 Sky Bet League One season his side beat Oxford United 1-0 at Pride Park Stadium.
New signing Conor Hourihane scored the game’s only goal with 10 minutes remaining as he delightfully stroked the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards out to win the game.
Derby had to remain patient throughout the afternoon, but the introduction of Louie Sibley off the bench on the hour mark changed the course of the contest.
His energetic runs and all-round play caused problems as James Collins almost registered his first goal for the club on the hour mark, but saw his effort cleared off the line.
However, Sibley provided the ball which produced the match-winning moment as he laid the ball across to Republic of Ireland international midfielder Hourihane on the edge of the box and caressed the ball into the corner to secure all three points for the Rams.
A crowd of over 31,000 fans packed into Pride Park Stadium
for the beginning of a new era after Clowes Developments (UK) Ltd completed
their purchase of the club, taking the Rams out of a nine-month spell in administration,
at the start of the month - and they were treated with a victory.
Derby’s Interim Manager caught up with RamsTV
following the final whistle to offer his verdict on the 90 minutes.
On The Win Against Oxford…
I’m absolutely delighted. The first game of the season is a really difficult occasion for every team so for us to have a win, a clean sheet and three points; I couldn’t be happier. Not just that, but I was delighted with the way we won the game. I expected it to be a bit tentative in the first half, they usually are, but once we got into gear in the second half I thought we were by far the better team. We were almost camped in their half and then we saw out the game after going in front. All members of the back four and Joe Wildsmith, when he was called on made a really good save, were great so in every aspect of the performance I was delighted.
On Giving Out Seven Debuts Today…
Credit to Justin Walker and Jake Buxton; we are working incredibly hard every day from a tactical point of view. Tactically it’s difficult to put any group of players together in a short space of time but I have to give credit to the players as well because they carried it out for long periods. Louie Sibley came on, took in the tactical information and he made a big difference to the game. I’m delighted with him and delighted with the whole day - and hope it continues.
On Sibley’s Impact…
It's not just about the starting line-up so I thought when Sibs came on he made a difference to the energy of the game. He ran in behind, showed his pace and he carried out from a tactical point of view what we asked of him - and he got an assist for the goal. I couldn’t be happier for him. I hope it gives him confidence.
On Goalscorer Hourihane…
That’s why he is here. There were times last season where we lacked that little bit of quality in the final third but it was almost like as soon as he took his first touch everyone knew where the ball was going to end up. His attitude and leadership since he’s been in has been top class, as has every player who has come in. It’s the type of player I want at this football club and I thought he run himself into the ground and we are going to need that again next Saturday at Charlton.
On The Clean Sheet…
We need to stand up to physical battles and in terms of a learning tool for what League One is about. By the way, Oxford are a very good footballing team and they play some good stuff at times - but we need to stand up to that and be men. We have to push and fight for every ball. They stuck the goalkeeper up at the end and put the ball in our box which Eiran Cashin and Curtis Davies were heading away and that’s what we need as well. We are not going to be able to play every team off the pitch but what we do need to do is see the game out and I was delighted with that as well.
On His First Game In Charge…
It feels good. I’m calm and it was nice for my mum and dad to be here and it means a lot to me. They know what it means to me how hard I’ve worked for a long time to be in this position. Today is not about me, I’m more delighted with the spirit, energy and atmosphere in the stadium and it was the same as last season. At 0-0, in the first game in the League One, the fans could have started turning but I didn’t hear that once. It gives us energy on the pitch to keep going so I thank the fans for an unbelievable atmosphere and more importantly, I am delighted to be part of this football club.
