DINO Maamria is looking forward to a big derby game at Pride Park as the Brewers make the short trip along the A38.
The manager said: “It’s an exciting game for both teams. Derby County are up there and should be up there. The table is very close and there are a few teams fighting for promotion. It’s going to be difficult for all of them just as it is as at the bottom of the table.
“But we go there with confidence and belief.”
Maamria has good reason to be confident in another big game against a promotion contender after recent wins over Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday and a draw on Tuesday with Bolton.
“Psychologically we are in a much better place. When you win games like we have then that can only give the team confidence and belief. I stand in team meetings and the players know the answers. They know we can’t perform at 60 per cent and get results but when we all perform at our best we can win games.
“We have always gone to attack at places like Ipswich. We pressed high there and tried to beat them on the counter press and score early. We always aim to be front footed and maybe that should change. But I don’t like setting up teams to just defend as you are asking for trouble, especially if you can concede an early gaol – what is your plan then?
“The big one for us is controlling the transitions better. We were too open against Bolton and we want to be more savvy when defending but in terms of our attack we score goals and I don’t want to take that away from the team.”
The Brewers can also confirm another League One season on Saturday at Pride Park.
The Albion manager said: “It’s not over until it’s mathematically impossible for us to go down. We still have work to do and beyond the safety bit, it’s also about trying to climb the table and see how far we can go.
“We might get another three points on Saturday and we might not. After that we still have four more games and I want to finish strongly, keep on improving and finish as high as possible.
“I always focus on our performance and the things we can control – our attitude, our approach to the game, resilience and intent to go and win games.
“We can’t control Derby’s performance, their fans reaction, the referee’s performance. But we know that if we perform at a certain level, we will pick up points. It’s about what we can produce on the day.”