Brayford hopes for a rousing start as Derby bid to follow Foxes' example

JOHN Brayford believes Derby County can take a leaf out of Leicester City's book when they take on Leeds United this weekend.

The Foxes were quick out of the traps at the King Power Stadium last Saturday and scored an early goal on their way to a 4-1 victory over the Rams.

Nigel Clough pictured with former midfielder Henry Newton (centre) and striker John O'Hare at the Derby County Former Players' Association Dinner at Pride Park Stadium.
Former Rams players Dick Pratley (left), Craig Ramage (centre) and Tony Reid.
Roy McFarland (left) and former team-mate Roger Davies at Pride Park Stadium.

Derby are back at home today and will be looking for a rousing start against their Yorkshire rivals as they bid to extend a run of six games unbeaten at Pride Park.

Brayford is hoping Nigel Clough's men can do to Leeds what Leicester did to them.

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"We do that to most teams at our place and I think some teams know what we're like and come with a plan to deal with that," said the former Burton Albion defender.

"In our last home game, we played Cardiff and maybe we didn't start that game as well but we put them on the back foot and had 60 or 70% possession.

"Cardiff are a top-of-the-table team, so we know what we can do at home to try to get those three points."

Brayford does not want the Rams to have to rely on their home form, following four successive defeats on the road.

"We know how well we play at home but it's still disappointing to go away from home and lose 4-1," he added.

"We've conceded a few away from home in the last couple of games and it's not nice, especially for the goalkeeper and the whole of the back five.

"Home form has been our positive this year and, hopefully, we can get back on track there this weekend.

"But it still doesn't take away what a disappointing result it was at Leicester."

With Christmas fast approaching, Brayford wants to see the Rams tighten up and improve their away form, while maintaining their good run on home soil as they look to get back into the top half of the Championship.

"The games come thick and fast around Christmas and it's about getting consistency around that period," he said.

"The teams that do get that consistency and are there or thereabouts are the ones that stay there."