Drinkwater: Get Back To Winning

The 23-year-old has been a key part of City’s season so far, and after conceding late in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Cardiff he insists there is a huge desire to put that right in another tough away game at Pride Park.

Drinkwater was part of an effective midfield three alongside Andy King and Richie Wellens at Cardiff, but whichever formation Nigel Pearson goes with, the former Manchester United man is determined to make it work.

“We always want to play (good) football and hopefully we can do that [against Derby],” said Drinkwater ahead of Saturday’s crucial match

“We do desperately need to get out of this stage in the season where we’re losing games and drawing games – we need to get back to winning.

“It’s going to be a tough game – it’ll have been two away games on the bounce at probably two of the tougher places to go football wise against good teams.”

On playing as part of a three, Drinkwater added: “It was a bit different as we’ve played in a two and not been overrun many times, but it was nice to have an extra man there for a change.

“It was just easier to close them down I suppose. It might have shown, it might not have but it certainly felt like you had to run less defensively to make an impact on the game

“We knew we could compete with Cardiff, we should be up there ourselves, it’s just that we’re not. We put up a good fight and should have come away with the three points.

“That’s football isn’t it? It’s Championship football, it’s crazy.”

Along with Wes Morgan and Kasper Schmeichel, Drinkwater has started every single one of City’s Leicester City’s 37 npower Championship games this term.

He added: “It’s just looking after your body and being professional. I’m sure Kasper and Wes would tell you the same things. It’s about eating and drinking the right things and having rest when you need it.

“I think this season has flew by, it’s gone so fast. I’ve enjoyed every minute, I know there have been highs and lows, but I’ve enjoyed it. It’s my first full season at the football club so I’m certainly enjoying the challenge.

“A 46 game season is a long season, and it will be mentally frustrating at times. You’re going to have highs and lows but it’s about getting through them.

“I’d love automatic promotion, but if we can’t we’ll do it the hard way and get automatic promotion from the play-offs.”