3/1 To Win
Midfielder Liam Thompson says Derby County need to retain the momentum they built up before the international break when they face Preston North End at Deepdale in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday.
The Rams picked up four points from two games before November’s international fixture period, with a 2-1 win away to Coventry City and 1-1 draw against Plymouth Argyleat Pride Park Stadium.
Thompson was brought into the side to make his first two league starts of the season for Paul Warne’s side and put in Player of the Match performances in both outings.
The 22-year-old caught up with RamsTV to discuss his recent form, the team’s ambitions and confidence ahead of Saturday’s clash with Preston.
On the international break coming too soon in a good run of form…
When you're feeling in a good bit of form and spell of performances, you want to carry that on. We had a good away win at Coventry and a good point at home to Plymouth, but we could have come away with more in that game. On a personal note, I didn't really want the international break to come but that's football and it was a nice break. Hopefully we can build on those results and go back out and be strong again.
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On having a significant impact in the last two games…
I’m pleased with myself and my performances and, ouf course, happy to help the team more than anything. When you're out of the team for a long spell and you get injured, it's frustrating but you've just got to do the right things to be ready for your chance when it comes. I felt like I prepared well and was ready for the challenge, so to get those two games in and to play the way I did gave me a big boost of confidence.
On the pressure making the first league start against Coventry…
There's always a bit of pressure but not as much as I would probably put on myself a couple of years ago. I think now I know what I can do in the league. I've got a fair couple of games under my belt so I've got that bit of experience. You want to be playing well but I try not to put as much on myself because I just want to go out and enjoy it.
On the feeling ahead of a packed festive fixture schedule…
We are excited for a big challenge with the games coming thick and fast. We're going to need everyone to pull together. I'm looking forward to this weekend and for us to get back out there. It will be another tough game. Where Preston are in the league doesn't reflect the quality that they have. We'll just have to focus on doing what we do, do everything right and work to get the three points against a good side.
On pushing for more points to meet the team’s ambitions…
We've not been as good as we can be away from home and I feel like the performances we've been putting in could have seen us come away with more points, but it's easy to say that. Everyone could say that in the league but we're in a good place at the minute but we know we've got more to give, and we want to keep going up the league.
