Jerry Yates lauded Derby County’s
‘tight-knit’ group and pointed to the squad's togetherness after their
3-1 win at West Bromwich Albion on Easter Monday.
The Rams came out on top to claim a big three points in the Sky Bet Championshipand keep themselves out of the bottom three on goal difference.
Captain Ebou Adams and on-loan Swansea City striker Yates gave Derby a two-goal cushion going into the half-time break.
Baggies substitute Adam Armstrong notched a goal back for the hosts in the 70th minute, but a late Nathaniel Mendez-Laing strike secured the win.
Yates, who now has ten goals for the season, caught up with RamsTVto reflect on the performance against the Baggies.
On a big away win against the Baggies…
It was a gritty performance. We knew what we had to come here and do. We needed a reaction from the Luton game. The lads dug deep and, in the end, we got the win.
On scoring from two corners to take the lead…
They are a massive strength for us. We work on that day in, day out. We've got some incredible lads that can go and attack a set-piece and defend at the other end as well, so it's a massive part of our game. We work on it daily, and it's coming off for us.
On scoring his tenth goal of the season…
You obviously always aim for more and, to be honest, I'm a big self-critic. I should have more, but it is what it is. As long as the lads and this team stays up, I'm not really bothered how many I get.
On the group’s togetherness out on the pitch…
It's massive within the group. We're so close-knit. I love being around the lads every day, and it's a very tight group. You need that coming into these final few games.
On celebrating with and being backed by a sold-out away end…
It's massive. It's our 12th man every week. Against Luton, we didn't give the crowd the performance that everyone wanted. They just stick with us and there are two more games to go to survive.
