Ahead of Derby v Bolton this weekend, Darren Wassall is in high spirits, but cautious of becoming complacent.
The 4-0 victory over Promotion contenders, Hull FC, on Tuesday evening was a much welcome response to Saturday’s miserable defeat away at Cardiff.
We were sat on the upper tier, watching Derby put away goal after goal in a fantastic and heartfelt performance; and unlike many fans, we saw all 4 goals! At 75 minutes when the 2-0 looked certain, hundreds of Derby fans streamed down and out, missing two late goals as Derby pushed hard until the final whistle. And from that determination, a renewed sense of pride at Pride Park.
“The players’ attitude, application and passion – everything you ask of a footballer – you saw tonight,” said Wassall in the wake of their second solid win over Hull this season.
Going into Saturday’s game against a down-in-the-dumps Bolton Wanderers, confidence is high to replicate Tuesday’s performance, and continue for the next 6 games to put the Rams in the prime position, yet again, to make a Premier League push.
In Thursday’s presser, Wassall was asked if the pressure being off for Bolton would make the dangerous against a complacent Derby, riding high on the victory over Hull.
Wassall’s response, “They have nothing to lose now; they have to win every game to stay in the League. We won’t be taking them lightly at all. It’s a potential banana skin because everybody is expecting us to win the game, particularly after Tuesday.
“We’ve been in football long enough to know that’s not the case.”
Derby drew with Bolton at the Macron earlier this season, but cruised to two solid victories last season, and go into this game 6th in the Championship against Bolton sitting absolutely bottom of the table.
Bolton Wanderers could be relegated to League One come 5pm.
