3/1 To Win
Centre-back Curtis Nelson says Derby County's squad are always pushing to improve as they look ahead to their Sky Bet Championship clash with Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday (12:30pm kick-off).
The Rams are unbeaten in their last four games and have taken three points from a trio of 1-1 draws at Millwall and Oxford United on the road and against Hull City at Pride Park Stadium last Saturday, after beating Queens Park Rangers 2-0 at home before the last international break.
Nelson has played more minutes than any other player for the Rams over the last two seasons, starting every game in League One and the Championship since joining Paul Warne’s side in the summer of 2023.
The 31-year-old has been on the scoresheet twice this season with two towering headers, one against Blackburn Rovers in a 4-2 loss on the opening day and the other in the win over QPR earlier this month.
Nelson, Derby's 2023/24 Player of the Season, spoke to RamsTV to discuss his longevity in the side, the start to the campaign and the importance of always pushing to improve.
On his goal against Queens Park Rangers going viral…
I've watched it a few times, I'll be honest. It was a good clearance, I think! I caught it just right to get the ball in the top corner. The ball in was perfect; we worked on it quite a lot. I just headed the ball as hard as I could towards the goal, and luckily, it went in the top bins! I'm not much for going viral, I'd rather just stay under the radar.
On taking pride in an impressive set-piece record…
We were talking about it the other day; the gaffer was saying the aggression on the set pieces for ourselves is what's probably getting us success. We are aggressive when we go to attack and we have to make sure we hit our zones. If we don't hit our zones or don't do things right, we know what's coming when we get back in the changing room! We know how much it can help us going forward from games last season and especially this year.
On being an ever-present in the side…
For me, it is all about looking after yourself and just getting on with it. As centre-backs, we are fighting with our forwards and everything else that comes with it but, my body seems to be coping through it all. I do the gym work, recover right, eat right, live right. I just crack on with it!
I remember being told a while back that as long as you’re fit for every single game and every single training session, that's probably a good aim for the season. It kind of stuck with me. If you can withstand the test of time, you're always going to put yourself in a good position. If you're available for selection every day of training and every matchday, you're in a good place.
On the team's position in the league and ambition to push on…
In ways, we are not where we want to be yet. We could have got more points on the board. There are definitely areas that we want to improve on in things that we're doing and goals we're scoring and not conceding. There's always room for improvement. As a team, we want more from where we are at the moment. It's about us and the management and everyone in the changing room to improve and then kick on.
On coming up against boyhood club Stoke City…
I can remember my early days there. I was there from the age eight to 16. I enjoyed being with my local team and played there throughout my whole childhood. It wasn't meant to be, and it took me on a different path. To be fair, it probably helped me get to where I am now. I’m looking forward to the game.
