Source: Team_Talk
Nyatanga: Clough key to revival
The 20-year-old, who made his international debut at 16, has seen his young career disrupted by spells out on loan when he could not force his way into the side under former Rams boss Paul Jewell.
But this season, with Nigel Clough in charge at Pride Park, things have changed for Nyatanga, who will almost certainly start for Wales in the two World Cup qualifiers against Finland and Germany in Cardiff during the next week.
Nyatanga said: "My game has improved because I have had a good run of games this season under the new manager.
"I am enjoying my time now at Derby, I have been in the side consistently and that has been really good for me.
"Nigel Clough has made a difference. There is a more relaxed atmosphere and everyone seems to be enjoying things more.
"There is a smile on people's faces and we are playing with a more relaxed manner. If you are enjoying your work then it comes across in the way you play.
"He is very calm, he wants everyone to enjoy their football and to be positive about things.
"That is always his message and it has gone down pretty well with everyone."
He added: "I was out on loan a couple of times at Barnsley last season, the Premier League sort of passed me by. But it is the way things go if you are a youngster, you do go out on loan sometimes.
"But that was my decision. I wanted to be playing matches and did not want to sit in the reserves, I felt I was good enough for first-team football so that is why I was happy to go out on loan.
"Now I am back at Derby and playing regular first-team football. It has been up to me to cement my place in the team and force the manager to pick me."
The Burton-born centre-back said: "Nigel was living in the area as manager at Burton, so he had a good knowledge of the Derby players when he took over, and that has benefited everybody.
"We have been rejuvenated and played some really good football, and that from people who had not always been in the team beforehand.
"It had been a bit frustrating for me, I was in and out of the team and in
and out of the club on loan. But the situation has changed, you need
regular football to improve and that has been what I have had.
"I had a full season at Barnsley on loan and that is what i want at Derby. I have surpassed my aims for the season.
"Derby is a Premier League club with big crowds, we aim to have a real go at getting promotion next season."
