Andre Wisdom has revealed to RamsTV how Gary Rowett's focus on the basics has improved the team.

The 24-year-old defender joined the club from Liverpool in the summer and has played a key role this season as the main right-back for the Rams.

Wisdom has been involved in 22 league games this season with nine clean sheets. Derby are one of the best defences in the league with a total of 17 clean sheets all season, which has been the key reason for their promotion push. Although that has stalled of late as they are on a seven game winless run.

The Rams play bottom side Sunderland next, though, so they should come away three points which will help them finish the season strongly.

Here's what Wisdom had to say in his interview with RamsTV: "We don’t want to give goals away cheaply; whether that’s in training or in matches. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do about a wonder strike and you have to hold your hands up when that happens."

"The manager has spoken to us about going back to basics. That means as defenders we do our jobs by, first and foremost, defending. We saw that for the vast majority of the Queens Park Rangers game and then obviously at Forest where we kept a clean sheet."

I think it’s good from a defensive point of view and I hope we can keep it going. We know what we are capable of and everyone has been on it in training recently."

The Verdict

Wisdom is right to point out how Rowett's prioritisation of defensive stability has improved the club's form. He completely overhauled the club's playing style when he came in as manager and brought players in who suited that.

He has done well so far, but the main judgement will be reserved until the end of the season because a club of Derby's stature are always targeting promotion. Regardless of whether they finish in the play-offs, Rowett deserves a chance to fully establish his project because there have been signs of promise through the season.