3/1 To Win
Attacker Tom Barkhuizen says he is 'happy to be back on the pitch and around the boys' ahead of Derby County’s first game of pre-season at Matlock Town on Friday evening (7:45pm kick-off).
Barkhuizen, who can play in various attacking positions, scored eight goals and assisted six times in the 2023/24 season, helping Derby secure promotion back to the Sky Bet Championship at just the second attempt from League One.
Speaking directly after Thursday morning’s training session at Moor Farm Training Ground, Barkhuizen spoke to RamsTV and shared his thoughts about preparations for the upcoming 2024/25 season.
His thoughts about coming back to training earlier this month…
I enjoyed my nine weeks off but, of course, it’s good to be back after the time away to recover and refresh. Everyone goes their different ways in the summer and, with me especially, I like to have some time off and take myself away from football, completely switch off and don’t really speak to anyone to be honest. So, coming back is always good and hear what everyone has been up to and if they've had a good summer.
On if his summer was better knowing Derby had been promoted…
I think it’s the sort of thing that sinks in after a week or so in the off-season and that you've done something that makes people very happy. On social media, you still see the pictures of the pitch after the game against Carlisle and how many people were over the moon about getting promotion. But, when you come back, it is time for the team to reset and not enjoy it for too long. It’s going to be a tough season, but one we'll give our best in.
Looking towards the 2024/25 season…
We all know the challenges that lie ahead. The fixtures are going to be tougher than last season and the teams are going to be harder and we’ve got to be ready for that.
About the comings and goings in the changing room during the summer…
The new boys are settling in well and it’s a good dressing room to be part of. The senior lads have been around long enough. We've seen new guys going into the changing room and a lot of us have been in that position in the last few years. We will always make it welcoming. We know that the club sells itself but there’s nothing like a good changing room and that’s what we’ve got at the moment.
Previewing the first pre-season game at Matlock…
Hopefully I don’t have the same thing as last year when I got injured there. Thats the one thing I want to tick off; get through the first game without an injury. The games are always better than the training. I'd rather be running around on the pitch and trying to score some goals and having fun with the lads and get back into it properly.
Words: Paddy Clarke.
