Derby County boss Wayne Rooney says keeping emotions in check will be key for his side when they host arch-rivals Nottingham Forest on Friday night.
The Rams were in a perilous position when Rooney replaced the sacked Phillip Cocu, initially on an interim basis, earlier this season, but the former England striker has galvanised the squad.
Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town took Derby eight points above the Championship relegation zone.
Victory on Friday would take them above Chris Hughton’s side, who have also climbed the table themselves in recent weeks.
“It’s an important game for us, it’s a derby and we want to win it,” said Rooney.
“We’ll go into that game full of confidence, but it’s still three points. We have to prepare right and not let our emotions get the best of us.
“I certainly won’t and the players won’t. It’s more the kitmen and the other staff I’ll need to try and calm down!”
Derby saw off Huddersfield thanks to goals from George Edmundson and Martyn Waghorn.
“It was a big win for us going into the Forest game on Friday,” said Rooney.
“I think we can go into it high in confidence and ready to try and get three points.
“We need to have confidence that we’re a good team, keep pushing up the table and picking up wins but also being realistic, knowing there might be a defeat in there. We just need to win more than we lose.”
