Matt Clarke has said that although it took time for his Derby team to adjust to what manager Phillip Cocu wanted they are now in a fantastic place in the Championship play-off battle
Currently sitting just three points and one place outside the play-off places in the second tier, it’s been quite the turnaround for the Rams, having been languishing down in 16th spot after a 3-0 defeat to Reading just before Christmas.
“I suppose from the outside it could look like we have come out of nowhere, but we have always had good belief in the squad even when times weren’t so good and we always believed that we could put some kind of run together,” the 23-year-old explained.
“This second half of the season, we’re probably top of that form table. For us it gives us good confidence going into these last block of games which will determine whether we have a successful season or not.
“I think it’s just taken time. You have to be patient with these things, there’s a process behind it. The manager came in during the pre-season, so he didn’t have a full pre-season schedule and it just takes a bit of time, you want it to gel instantly, but it doesn’t always work like that.
“I think the understanding in the squad has improved and obviously players have come into form, so I think it has been a number of things really.”
Working under the former Barcelona midfielder has been a bit of a change in culture to what Clarke has been accustomed to in the lower levels of the EFL, but it’s something he is thoroughly enjoying, as well as working alongside well known and respected players.
He said, “I’ve found the gaffer here really good. It’s my first time working with this style of play and it’s different to anything I have ever played before and have been used to and that takes time to adapt.
“So I have really enjoyed working with the people here and the detail they go into, the way they look at football isn’t something I have seen before, but it’s something I really like.
“That’s another difference from playing in League One and Two, the squads aren’t as strong compared to when you go to Brighton and you go to Derby.
“The squad here is littered with current and former international players, there’s household names in football here, so to be training with them and learning from them is only going to put me in good stead for my career.”
It is the former Portsmouth defender’s first season in the Championship. He thinks he has developed well and able to overcome the bumps in the road he has encountered on the way.
“There’s been a lot of learning and it’s not finished yet – but I am in a much better place now to when I first arrived at Derby, definitely.
“You always want more, you always want to keep more clean sheets, you want to be in the squad every week and you want to get the Man of the Match, but it’s not always like that and that’s part of the journey. It’s not been all good this season, it’s not been all bad, but I am pleased with my progression.”
Derby’s final league position will no doubt be massively affected by what happens over their next three games – they take on the top three, Leeds United, West Brom and Brentford in a ten-day period.
That challenging run starts on Wednesday night, as they take on the Baggies at the Hawthorns.