Derby failed to beat any of the top six teams away from home last season – but goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith believes his side might now turned a corner.
A thumping 4-2 win at Peterborough United last weekend put Paul Warne’s fancied Rams into eighth spot ahead of their trip to Wanderers.
The two teams fought out a goalless draw in the corresponding fixture last term in front of more than 25,000 supporters.
But Wildsmith – whose form in goal that day was one of the major factors in earning a point – reckons the result at London Road last weekend has now teed things up nicely.
“To get that done early on gives us some confidence going into games like Saturday against Bolton, and whoever is up there at the time when we play them, it is definitely something we can use,” he told the club.
“The way we did it at Peterborough, we put them to the sword in the first half and got the game won. It was just a case of seeing it out.
“I feel like we put a really good marker down for the league because we went there last season and really struggled.
“It was a good team performance and we got goals, which was something we didn’t have at the start of last season. Now it is about bringing the whole performance together and kicking on.”
Derby have struggled on home turf so far, losing three of four outings in league and cup, but their record on the road is currently two wins from two.
Billed alongside Bolton as favourites for automatic promotion before a ball was kicked, early results may not have gone according to plan.
But Wildsmith is confident that a new look team is now finding its feet.
“It has been a bit mixed, there were teething problems in the first couple of games but some of those have been ironed out and recently it has been really positive, especially for us building as a team. We can carry on that now with a big game at the weekend,” he said.
“We know it will be a tough game. Bolton are a squad that have been together a while now and have a good nucleus of the team – the manager has been there and got his philosophy across, so we know what is coming.
“But the way we have been playing and got the last two wins, away from home we have been really good and take confidence into the game.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel