POST-MATCH INTERVIEW: ‘We have to go into every game with the mentality we showed in the second half against Sunderland’ – Zetterstrom

Derby County Goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom urged the Rams’ squad to ‘look at the bigger picture’ after showing their capabilities in the second half, despite falling to defeat against Sunderland on Tuesday night.

The Black Cats took the lead in the 28th minute and held on to take three points despite a second half fightback from Derby, with chances from debutant Lars-Jørgen Salvesen and striker Dajaune Brown unable to level the game.

Zetterström caught up with RamsTV to give his thoughts after the game.

On defeat against Sunderland…

It was a game of two halves, really. In the first half, we did not perform as well as we could have. In the second half, I think it's a completely different game where we create chances put in the effort that you have to put in. It was frustrating to lose the game, as with any loss. But if you look at the bigger picture, it shows that we are capable of performing at a very high level against very good opposition.

On encouraging signs in the second half…

I think there are definitely a lot of things to take with us from the game. There are plenty of games left this season. The next one is coming up on Saturday. You always have to look at the bigger picture. If you perform well, then the results will come as well. If we perform like we did today in the second half, I'm very certain that we will have a good spring period.

On Salvesen making his debut for the club…

He is a very good striker with a big presence up top and a great finisher to that as well. I'm very certain that he's going to perform at a very high level this season. I think he did a very good job today and I look forward to seeing him up front for Derby County.

On seeing a positive path going forward…

We have 18 more games to play this season, and we have to go into every single game with the same mentality as we did in the second half. I am sure there's not a single soul in that dressing room that doesn't know how well we can play as a team if we put in the effort.

The second half did show that and I'm very, very certain that we can have a very fun spring together because we all know how much talent is in that dressing room.