Derby County Football Club News

• Nickname:The Rams
• Founded:1884
• Manager:Nigel Clough

• Ground:Pride Park
• Capacity:33,597

Griffin admits to struggles

20 Sep 2007 - 13:19:18

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Former Newcastle United and Portsmouth defender Andy Griffin believes he is finally settling into life at Derby County after admitting to finding the initial few weeks at Pride Park difficult.

Griffin impressed in Monday's 1-0 win against the Magpies and was pleased with his display against one of his former employers.

He told the Derby Evening Telegraph: "I haven't played as well as I know I can, but I never had a pre-season so I'm lagging behind everyone else.

"When you're not fit, you just miss out on making that pass, making that tackle, getting that header. You feel you're struggling, which I have been doing. Hence the reason I've not been playing particularly well.

"I know I can come back. You have to have confidence and belief in yourself at this level and I have that. Once I get to full fitness regarding the cardiovascular side of things I'll be okay.

"I'm certainly getting there. I'm working very hard and so is everyone else in terms of running and training drills, trying to get the heart and lungs going. And I enjoyed the game against Newcastle."