Sibley fired up by those who say the Rams are going down
LOUIE GRATEFUL FOR BACKING FROM FANS
DERBY County youngster Louie Sibley has sent out a defiant message to all those who are doubting the team after a solid start to the Championship campaign.
The Rams are 15th in the table having lost one game out of five so far, winning one and drawing three, leaving them in a far healthier position than many would have predicted at the beginning of the season. They travel to face Birmingham City tonight (8pm).
Derby’s off-the-field problems mean the side has had to rely on a number of young players such as Sibley, who turns 20 next Monday, but the academy graduate has impressed since making his senior debut in 2019.
The Birmingham-born player scored five goals in his first season, three of which came in his second League appearance against Millwall, and he went on to make 30 appearances last term to help the team avoid relegation.
Although there is still a long way to go yet in what is sure to be a challenging campaign, Sibley is in a defiant mood and is eager to prove the doubters wrong after the club was widely tipped to struggle this year.
“We know what kind of players we have got in the dressing room,” he told RamsTV.
“Everyone thinks we’re going to do badly this season but we said before a ball was kicked that we want to prove these people wrong.
“We love it when people say we are going down or we are going to lose or whatever in games and we have taken that as a team, staff and club to prove that we are all good players and we are a good club.
“If we perform like we have been doing then I am confident we can carry on the form that we have seen in the opening stages of the season.”
Sibley also welcomed the return of fans to Pride Park Stadium after 18 months away due to the coronavirus pandemic, saying that it is “massive” for the team’s morale.
“That’s the main reason we play for the club,” he added.
“The supporters have been amazing at all the games so far.
“For me as a player, I feel like I am one of their own when they sing that to me.
“It means a lot to me, it really does, so I am doing it for them. We know how much it means to them and we feel like we owe them every time we step on the pitch.
“I will always give it my all. I will have no regrets. Some things may not come off for me, but I will always make sure when I play for Derby I show how much it means to me and that’s what the fans want.”
Meanwhile, Blues manager Lee Bowyer has confirmed an injury setback ahead of the Rams visit to St Andrew’s tonight.
Blues will be without Ivan Sanchez for up to six weeks after the winger required surgery on his recent groin injury.
Sanchez has generally impressed for Blues since joining but the Spaniard has endured a frustrating season so far, with his only two appearances in the League coming as a substitute.
Bowyer said: “Ivan Sanchez has had surgery, he will be out for 4-6 weeks, everyone else is fine. We have no further injuries to report ahead of Friday’s game.”
I will always make sure when I play for Derby I show how much it means to me. Louie Sibley