PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW: ‘We’ll give everything and will have to enjoy the pressure’ – Adams

PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW: ‘We’ll give everything and will have to enjoy the pressure’ – Adams

Captain Ebou Adams says Derby County should relish the pressure that comes with the final game of the 2024/25 Sky Bet Championship season as they prepare to take on Stoke City at Pride Park Stadium.

The Rams will face the Potters knowing a win will be enough for either team to guarantee their place in the Championship next season. Derby sit 19th, one place and one point below Stoke in the table.

After two away wins on the bounce against West Bromwich Albion and Hull City in recent weeks, the Rams are just above the relegation zone with Preston North End, Luton Town and Hull City below them and fighting for survival, so there’s still a big job to do for John Eustace’s side.

Adams, who picked up the Players’ Player of the Season and Jacks Stamps Player of the Season awards at the club’s End of Season Dinner on Tuesday night,has reiterated the importance of Derby staying focusing on their own fate and getting the job done.

The 29-year-old midfielder caught up with RamsTVahead of the season finale against the Potters.

On winning the Players’ Player and Jacks Stamps Player of the Season awards…

Normally I’ve got a lot of things to say, but that was probably one of the few times that I actually was lost for words! It has sunk in now and I have messaged the boys and said thank you. I’m so happy to win an award, and especially when it comes from your team-mates. It’s an even bigger feeling coming from the fans. It’s nice to be appreciated, and hopefully I can continue to do what I’m doing.

On being on the scoresheet for the Rams this season with six goals…

I have secretly been trying to chase Jerry Yates’ goal total, but he has just kept going further and further away! It’s good to be amongst the goals, and it’s nice to score. It’s down to the opportunities that the gaffer has given me to get in the box and get more chances to score. He says that I can be a threat in both boxes, defending our penalty area and trying to get more goals. I’m glad that I can adapt my game and hopefully I can carry it on.

On showing resilience to take all three points against Hull City last weekend…

I went into that game not knowing the Luton score, so it was a case of us focusing on ourselves. For us as a group, we are just focusing on ourselves and doing what we can; that won’t change. If we give everything, then that’s all we can do. We can’t control what’s out of our hands.

It was one of those days last weekend when someone would pop up and do something amazing and it was Nat Phillips that got the goal. Every single person in the team has done that, stepped up to the plate and delivered throughout the season. There’s one more game to do that, and we’ll give it everything.

On approaching the final game against Stoke City…

That’s the positive; it’s in our hands. The Championship is one of the funniest leagues because things change so fast. We can’t take it for granted. You can be in the relegation zone, and then you can be out of it. The good thing is it’s in our hands, and we will give it everything. We are treating it as any other game, really. There are times when you can be nervous – it’s a pressure game. It’s one of those matches you don’t get to play in very often. I think the boys are just going to enjoy it.

On playing in front of a sell-out crowd on the final day…

I’m buzzing it’s at home because we personally think we’ve got the best fans. I’m not surprised it’s a sell-out, because the support is amazing for every home game and away game, which is nice to see. I hope they come in to Pride Park in full voice and support us because I’m looking forward to it.

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