Striker James Collins says it's been a great week for both him personally and Derby County following two impressive wins at Pride Park Stadium.
Collins has notched himself five goals in the last two as the Rams progressed into the knockout stages of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy with a 4-1 rout of Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s before sealing an impressive 3-0 victory over Barnsley in Sky Bet League One on Saturday.
Collins is looking to keep the momentum going when the Rams take on Crewe Alexandra on home turf in an Emirates FA Cup First Round replay on Tuesday night (7:45pm kick-off).
On the last week...
I've not had a week like that for a long time. It's been a great week for me personally and for the club as well. We got a win against Wolves' Under-21s to get into the next round of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy and then a great win on Saturday against Barnsley. It showed what a good side we were against a promotion contender.
On the hat-trick against Wolves Under-21s being a good springboard for him...
It was massive for me. I hadn't played from the start for a few weeks leading up to that. I was a bit disappointed in myself when I came on against Northampton and then had a goal disallowed against Crewe in the First Round tie.
Getting a hat-trick in any game will always boost your confidence. I felt good, I try and keep myself fit and ticking over and ready to go. Saturday came and I managed to score another two.
On his good fitness record...
It's a big part of the game now. If you are always available, then you'll always get your chance at some point. Unfortunately a lot of people do get injuries in football but I've been really lucky in my career, I've never had a big injury. I've had a few minor ones but nothing too major. You've just got to be as professional as you can be, do the extras and as you get older just look after yourself a little more.
On his second goal against Barnsley...
They are the type of goals that don't happen very often, but I was delighted to tap it in from a yard away! It's just pot luck. The goalkeeper saved it and nobody has followed it in apart from me. The ball managed to hit me and go in so I was delighted with that one as much as the first one.
On the victory against Barnsley...
It could be big. The gaffer made it clear to us before the game that our record against top six sides hasn't been great last year and this year. Barnsley are a good side, they are always in and around it in League One so to put a statement down on Saturday shows others that we can do it and we are looking to kick on now. Maybe the international break has come at a bad time really because we are on a good run but it will give other lads a chance to get back fit.
On the first game at Crewe...
It teaches you that you can't take anyone for granted. Crewe are doing really well in their league, they beat Notts County at the weekend as well which is a great result. Credit to them in the first tie because they went 2-0 up against us and I thought we played really well. Going 2-0 down felt a bit harsh but at home on Tuesday, we'll have the crowd behind us, we're in good form and if we can get the first goal, they'll have to come out and we can hopefully punish them.
