3/1 To Win
Interim Manager Liam Rosenior has total belief in the style of play he is implementing at Derby County as his side prepare to take on Barnsley at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Derby won their opening game of the season, beating Oxford United 1-0 on home soil two weeks ago, whilst they created numerous chances in a positive first half showing in a 1-0 reverse last weekend at Charlton Athletic.
Although the result didn’t go the Rams’ way at The Valley, there were signs of progression due to the way in which Derby calved their opponents open but just missed that ruthless touch in front of goal.
On Tuesday night, a much-changed Rams side beat League Two side Mansfield Town 2-1 at the One Call Stadium in Round One of the Carabao Cup to register their place in the next round of the competition.
Speaking to RamsTV ahead of this weekend’s Sky Bet League One clash against the Tykes, Rosenior spoke about the importance of creating an identity and style of play which is entertaining for supporters, whilst he also discussed injuries and Saturday’s opponents.
On The Changes Made On Tuesday Night At Mansfield…
I think it is a risk to keep playing the same line-up for ‘Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday’ throughout the season. Hopefully we are successful and go on cup runs, but if we do we are looking at 60 games. I trust the group and I trust the squad. I said to them after the match on Tuesday that it’s not going to be about 11 players, we’ve got 17/18 very good players and I will rotate throughout the season to keep us fresh for February, March and April. It’s going to be a different feel. Last season, because of where we were, we had such a small squad to pick from that we were looking at it from a point of how we could get a team together. Now because we have built this squad, I have real selection problems already and that’s how I want it to be. I want to rotate and I want a strong side, but I want us to be as fit and sharp as possible because I know from a physical point of view it’s going to be really taxing and difficult season.
On The Style Of Play Being Implemented…
Both goals at Mansfield started with Joe Wildsmith in goal and that’s a clear indicator of the way I want this team to play. To have possession of the ball is the way I always wanted to play as a player. If I am being honest, I think that was a massive sell to the players who have come into the group. The fact we have a clear style of play, methodology and way of playing, that is enjoyable. I think it’s enjoyable to watch when you are attacking. I’ve said a lot about enjoyment - the fans, myself, the players enjoying being here and enjoy playing - that’s a key part of it so consistent play and identity give you consistent success with patience. If we make mistakes playing out from the back, that’s on me. I’m asking the players to do it because that’s my belief in the way the game should be played. If you look at the top teams, they play exactly the same way. A lot of coaches have said to me that it isn’t possible to do it at this level or in the Championship. I disagree. I remember Roberto Martinez at Swansea City and then Brendan Rodgers taking that on. I’ve seen Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion do it. Chris Wilder at Sheffield United is another example, but what it takes is patience, belief and mistakes. We are going to make mistakes doing it but I really hope the fans understand that we are trying to build this club long term and a clear way of playing is key to that.
On Trusting The Process…
I think it’s massively important that we are all in this together. I’m more than happy to explain why we deal with things the way that we do. I’m really open and transparent and that’s the best way to be. For me, I was always frustrated for years in the perception of English coaches that we can’t coach a possession-based game. I think Gareth Southgate has proven that with the English national team. If you see the way that England play, they play out from the back and use the goalkeeper. If you see Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal, they all have a structure and a way of playing out from the back too. I believe it can be done and if you play in that way a long time then you can overtake teams. There will be teething problems where we fail to build up a couple of times, there were a few sloppy moments and we kicked the ball out on Tuesday, but at the same time we scored two goals from doing the same thing. It’s about having that balance and understanding of how we play the way we do.
On Injuries In The Squad…
We are looking really good. Another reason why I rested a few players who started on Saturday at Charlton is that the players are getting fitter and fitter every game. Against Charlton, we had a strong finish to the game and couldn’t quite get the goal we wanted. We finished strongly against a really strong Mansfield team too in midweek and I think Nigel Clough is doing a great job there. They were close to promotion last season and I think they will be up there again this year, but overall I am delighted with the overall fitness levels and the players and hopefully it continues.
David McGoldrick is getting there. He trained today and will be part of the squad for Saturday. It’s a push to start him. We need to manage his minutes, manage him in the right way and make sure he is firing but I can’t leave a player of David’s quality out of the squad when he is ready to play. James Chester is close. He’s out on the training pitch, but again it’s a process to make sure he’s right for the whole season and we don’t rush him back too soon.
On Barnsley…
Michael Duff has done great since going in over the summer. I met Michael on pro-license courses and he is really good young coach. He did a fantastic job with Cheltenham Town. Barnsley won away at Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, which is a great result for them, so it’s not going to be an easy game at all. They are very well organised, play five at the back and play out from the back at times but can mix it up and go in behind you as well. It’s about us playing our way and dominating in our way. I can’t wait to be back in front of our home fans again who were outstanding in the last game against Oxford United on the opening day of the season.
