Andreas Weimann wants the Rams to treat the Sunderland game like any other.

Derby host Sunderland in their first game after the international break.

This is naturally being seen as an easy game for the Rams to end their slump and build some momentum going in to the end of the season.

The Black Cats are bottom of the Championship and are five points from safety. They have actually been better away from home than at the Stadium of Light this season, but they have only picked up 16 points.

Derby need a win to ensure that they stay in the play-off spots with multiple teams fighting for the bottom two spots.

Here's what Weimann had to say about the game to RamsTV: "Most people would expect us to win, because obviously their position and our position. We know it’s not going to be easy because they are still fighting for their lives."

"They want to stay up, they’re not going to give up. So it’s definitely going to be a tough game tomorrow for us. We want to win and we need to win."

The Verdict

He is right to point out how the desperation for points is likely to give Sunderland added motivation which could make up for the gap in quality. Therefore, it will be a tough game even though it looks easy on paper.

That being said, Derby need to win this game and there can be no issues which Weimann alluded to in his comments. This game comes at an ideal time for them and losing the points cushion they currently have means that they would probably have to get a result against one of the top six sides.