Derby's 1-0 win against Luton on Friday night leaves the Rams in third-place, just two points behind leaders Birmingham, and still in with a realistic chance of automatic promotion. However, one player who will play no part in the club's crucial remaining matches of the regular season is influential defender Darren Moore. The muscular 32-year-old was recently sent of against Leicester for violent conduct and a four-match-ban imposed means his campaign is effectively over – unless Derby reach the play-offs of course. Givemefootball's Mark Shail caught up with Moore at the PFA awards last night as the former Bradford and West Brom star was named a divisional award winner for the third time in his long career.
Q:
CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING NAMED IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM OF THE YEAR – YOU MUST BE VERY PLEASED?
A:
I'm really, really chuffed, for me it's one of the highest accolades you can get as a player. I just want to say a big thank-you to my fellow pros because obviously they've voted for me, so I feel honoured.
Q:
AND THAT MAKES YOU A THREE-TIME DIVISIONAL AWARD WINNER, DOESN'T IT?
A:
Yes, I was named in the PFA Team of Year while I was at Bradford and also when I played for West Brom. Not many players get honoured like this throughout their entire careers so to be recognised on three separate occasions is something I'm very proud of.
Q:
YOU MUST BE FRUSTRATED TO MISS OUT ON DERBY'S FINAL FOUR MATCHES OF THE SEASON?
A:
With two games to go we're right in there with a chance of automatic promotion so for me to receive a four-game ban at this stage is very frustrating. I'm just disappointed that I won't be able to try and help the club get over the finishing line. But that's the punishment, I have to accept it, and I'm almost like a supporter now, just watching from the sidelines and hoping the lads can pull it off.
Q:
IT WASN'T A VINATAGE PERFORMANCE AGAINST LUTON, BUT AN IMPORTANT WIN ALL THE SAME?
A:
No it wasn't pretty but we would settle for two scrappy 1-0 wins in the last two games if it means us taking maximum points. If we can do that then we'll just have to wait and see if it will be enough. There's a lot at stake for a lot of clubs at this stage of the season so games are going to be tight and that was the case on Friday.
Q:
HAVE YOU BEEN SURPRISED HOW WELL DERBY HAVE DONE THIS SEASON?
A:
I must say it's a testament to the gaffer Billy Davies because we've seen over the last few years what he has done at Preston and he has brought that winning mentality here to Derby. His attitude for the game is fantastic, he's got a tremendous desire to win, and he wants to manage at the top. We may be a bit of a surprise package this season but for me we deserve to be where we are.
Q:
IT’S TWO FROM THREE FOR AUTOMATIC PROMOTION – HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO FINISH IN THE TOP TWO?
A:
It's is two from three but the beautiful thing about it is that all three clubs have got two bites at it. Obviously we want to go up automatically but if we have to go up through the play-offs then so be it. If you'd had said at the start of the season we would have been guaranteed a play-off place we'd have taken it, but the way the season's panned out we're in a situation where we could take one of the top two spots – although Birmingham and Sunderland will be thinking exactly the same.
