RAMS ARE ON THE CHARGE
Rowett ready to pounce on top-six spot
Leeds v Derby KO 7.45pm GARY ROWETT has warned the Championship’s top six Derby are breathing down their necks.
The improving Rams head to Leeds tonight on the back of three straight wins, leaving them in seventh place – with a home game in hand.
Boss Rowett said: “I think we’ll see a league that’s as close as it’s ever been this season.
“You see what a few wins can do. That’s why you can’t panic too much if you lose a game or two.
“You look at teams like Wolves in second and think they have pulled away a bit, but the gap between us and them is only four points if we win our game in hand. So we’re building nicely and if we get our attitude spot on, the results will keep coming.
“Leeds will be a tough game for us, even though they’re not in great form. They will be highly motivated to turn things round.
“I’ve had some good results there as a manager, so there is nothing to fear but you respect the place and the atmosphere.”
Leeds head coach Thomas Christiansen admits he is under pressure to pull his team out of the slump that threatens to derail their promotion push.
But he insists he is up for the challenge at Elland Road.
United’s early-season charge towards a long overdue Premier League return has hit the skids with a run which has seen them lose five of their last seven league outings.
Defeat tonight and Derby will leapfrog them.
Dane Christiansen said: “Pressure is good. And if the demand is to win every game, then I like that.
“But this is only game 15 of a long season. If we are not in the play-off positions at the end of it, then we’ll talk.”
Christiansen brushed aside criticism from fans over the team’s style of play and tactics, and declared: “There is no major issue with that.”
Pontus Jansson will replace injured skipper Liam Cooper in central defence.