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Liam Thompson reveals how he has overcome 'frustrating' Derby County spell
Liam Thompson admits he has had to manage periods of frustration after spending spells out of the Derby County team this season.
The 22-year-old is back fit and firing for Paul Warne’s team, having made his first two starts of the campaign in the last two games, a win at Coventry and a home draw with Plymouth.
He is hoping to retain his place in the XI for this weekend’s trip to Preston North End – and should do so after Player of the Match displays having bounced back from a groin injury in September. It has not been his first brush with the physio’s table, last season missing two months through injury.
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In some ways that has stood the midfielder in good stead: “I’m pleased with myself and my performances and, of course, happy to help the team more than anything,” he told Rams TV.
“When you're out of the team for a long spell and you get injured, it's frustrating but you've just got to do the right things to be ready for your chance when it comes. I felt like I prepared well and was ready for the challenge, so to get those two games in and to play the way I did gave me a big boost of confidence.
“There's always a bit of pressure but not as much as I would probably put on myself a couple of years ago. I think now I know what I can do in the league. I've got a fair couple of games under my belt so I've got that bit of experience. You want to be playing well but I try not to put as much on myself because I just want to go out and enjoy it.”
Thompson will get plenty of opportunities to enjoy himself in the coming weeks, with the Rams due to play nine times between now and the end of the year. That run starts at Deepdale.
“We are excited for a big challenge with the games coming thick and fast. We're going to need everyone to pull together. I'm looking forward to this weekend and for us to get back out there. It will be another tough game. Where Preston are in the league doesn't reflect the quality that they have. We'll just have to focus on doing what we do, do everything right and work to get the three points against a good side.”
