"We showed a great reaction": Derby County forward pleased with bounce back ahead of Bradford City challenge

Derby County face a break from League One football tonight as they face Bradford City in the EFL Trophy third round.

They come off a bounce back game against Fleetwood Town where they won 3-1 following their first defeat in nine games the week before.

The Rams have the chance to make it five wins from six games with a victory tonight and a chance to continue their good momentum.

Forward Tom Barkhuizen scored in the 3-1 win at Fleetwood and ahead of the Bradford City game, he spoke to Rams TV on Derby's bounce back and good form.

He said: "I think we showed a great reaction to the Peterborough defeat. We kind of fell straight back into that run of form we were on beforehand. We dominated large parts of the game and came away with a 3-1 win."

Barkhuizen scored in the 90th minute to make it 3-1 to Derby after he came on from the bench in the second half. He added: " It's always nice to get goals and help the team win and at 2-1 up, you're always a little bit edgy and nervy.

"My goal kind of sealed it. I was happy to come on and make a difference."

The 30 year-old has been pleased with Derby's form as of late and believes that if they keep the momentum going, they can have a really good go at promotion: "We had a tricky start to the season, but over the last 11 games we've been pretty consistent and we just need to continue that.

"It's good to be in and around it at this point. You don't win the league in January, but you can definitely lose it.

"I feel that we've got one of the strongest squads in the league and that's why we're up at the top end of the table."

They head into the game against League Two Bradford City as clear favourites and a side that many would expect to win the EFL Trophy. However, Barkhuizen says that this just helps motivate the players even more. He added: "It probably helps that we got knocked out by a lower league opposition in the FA Cup, so we have to make sure that we're switched on even more.

"We've all been at clubs where we've been the underdog at some point, so we understand what they'll be thinking and it's important we stay switched on and have the same mindset to win.

"If you come off it five or ten per cent then we'll lose so we have to make sure we don't do that."

Derby County vs Bradford City kicks off at 7pm tonight at Pride Park Stadium.