BIG GAME PLAN PAYS OFF FOR RAMS
Preparing for a big game proved worthwhile as Derby's under-18s recorded a deserved success over Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
Jack Booth was the unlikely goalscoring hero with the solitary goal of the game to earn the Rams all thee points against their local rivals.
Forest sit on top of Group D of the FA Premier Academy League but were no match for a Derby side not in the best of form going into the game.
But Kevin Thelwell's troops upped their performance and though the goal came late in the day, they were deserving winners.
"What we did for the Forest game was built it up as a big game, built it up as a local derby and worked on our strengths and their weaknesses all week," Thelwell told www.dcfc.co.uk.
"We did that so that it became the most important game of their season from that point forward, which it was.
"There is a massive rivalry between the two clubs and therefore it is not enough to go out there and not compete.
"You've got to give it absolutely everything and to be fair the boys have bought into that and come through the game very well."
Derby started off like an express train and could have been in front through Matt Richards and Henrik Ojamaa, who both missed good early chances.
And domination continued at Moor Farm with the shot count eventually reaching 16-2 in the home side's favour.
The Rams' recent form had seen them go four games without a goal - despite performances deserving better results.
Now they have five games left this season and Thelwell wants to see them use the Forest victory as a stepping-stone.
"We have got five games left now so we are asking the boys to mirror that performance and see the season through," Thelwell said.
"At times we have been disappointed with the boys because what they produced at the weekend suggests they can produce a lot more.
"It has been a disappointing season on that point, but having said that they've got an opportunity to redeem themselves to some level and see the season through in a very positive way."
