After taking questions on relations with the chairman, the January transfer window and Shea Charles, Danny Rohl was able to turn his attentions to the challenge of facing Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday lunchtime.
We currently sit in 10th place, four points behind the play-off positions, while Leeds head the Championship table by one point … all before this weekend’s fixtures.
Those matches kick off tonight (Friday) with second-placed Burnley at home to Sunderland in fourth and the Clarets knowing that victory would see them replacing Leeds at the top.
Speaking at Friday’s press conference, Rohl said: “Against such teams as Leeds, you need a strong team performance and a little bit of luck at the right moments.
“You have to suffer at times, but come through such periods and then be ready to hurt them.
“We need a strong team performance over 95 minutes, or whatever, and do it as a group, then you have a chance. We have to be online from the first minute until the last and for every situation in the entire game.
“At the same time, it is also important we believe in what we are doing, that we are a good team and hard to beat.”
Marvin Johnson is back in contention for a place in the squad after his lay-off but Nathaniel Chalobah has suffered another injury problem and is ruled out, along with long-term casualties in Akin Famewo and Dominic Iorfa.
The game kicks off at noon on Sunday and is being broadcast on ITV, as well as on Sky Sports.
*Barry Bannan’s exquisite 25-yarder into the top corner of the Derby net in our 2-1 win at Pride Park has won him the Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month for December. Congratulations to the skipper!