Norwich City: Tony Springett interview on life at Derby County

The unique terminology was an attempt by the Rams boss to fully capture the 20-year-old's work rate on the pitch and his energy in training. 

A brief chat with Springett in an empty Weston Holmes Stadium is enough to capture that determination and willingness to work in a snapshot - it underpins why Warne was desperate to add the winger to his squad in January. 

Derby wasn't the easy option for Springett. In fact, he opted for Pride Park for the challenge and how that could benefit his development in the bigger picture, even if it ended up being largely negative. 

With Springett seemingly pushing for a place in City's first-team squad and having been exposed to Premier League football towards the end of the season, many raised eyebrows when his move to Derby was confirmed. 

In truth, it was an attempt to avoid becoming comfortable and what the youngster felt was beneficial for his development in the long run. 

"The situation at Norwich wasn't bad but I just felt that at this stage of my career, being 20 years old, I have to be playing games," he told the Pink Un.

"I felt like playing U21 games wasn't improving me as much as I would have liked. Me and the gaffer made a decision to send me out to Derby.

"Since coming here, I have received nothing but love. I'm playing games, I'm playing minutes and sometimes when I don't start I come on. I'm loving it."

Springett may have left Carrow Road but has found a familiar Norfolk accent at Derby. 

Warne's affection for Norwich meant he was acutely aware of Springett's progress - at Rotherham, he admired the winger from afar and felt he was a player that ticked all the boxes he looks for in a potential recruit. 

One Facetime call was enough to persuade Springett that a move to Pride Park was the best destination for his career after years in Norwich's academy set-up. 

Warne is a unique character and drives teams forward through the force of his personality. There has been no false pretences or special treatment for the City winger - who is enjoying life under the ex-Wroxham and Diss player. 

"I'm loving it," he said when asked about life under Warne. "When you are making a decision like going out on loan, it can go either one of two ways. Sometimes a gaffer can say that you're going to play every game and then you don't.

Tony Springett joined Derby County on loan in January. (Image: PA Images)

"The gaffer here told me exactly how it is - he told me I was going to have to earn my spot and earn my playing time. He has stuck by that. Everytime I haven't played he has given me a good reason as to why. I couldn't wish for a better gaffer."

Springett is a confident young man both on and off the pitch. 

Despite that, walking into a fresh dressing room after a considerable period at Colney was daunting, especially given the strength of characters inside Derby's squad. 

On the teamsheet for Saturday's game at Peterborough were Conor Hourihane, David McGoldrick, ex-City midfielder Korey Smith and Nathanial Mendez-Laing. Defender Curtis Davies and Tom Barkhuizen sat alongside the City loanee on the substitute bench. 

But despite his relative inexperience, he has been fully integrated into life at Derby. 

"Everyone at Norwich probably would have thought that it wouldn't be a problem because of the type of character that I am," Springett said on moving to a new dressing room.

"But coming up to the first week I was really nervous. You never know how people are going to take to your personality or if there are any people at the club who don't like loan players - there are loads of reasons why I was nervous.

"Fortunately, the dressing room here is absolutely incredible. The older, more experienced lads are teaching me new things everyday.

"I'm in the (first-team) dressing room whereas at Norwich I was still in the U21s, so I feel more involved. I'm not looked at as a young player here, I'm seen as someone who has been brought in to help the squad which I enjoy more.

"I feel more respected whereas at Norwich I am going to have to earn that over a longer period." 

Norwich maintain regular contact with their loan players, and Springett is no different. 

Among his many roles under Wagner, Andrew Hughes is in charge of keeping tabs of those players currently plying their trade away from Carrow Road. 

Tony Springett has made 10 appearances for Derby County. (Image: PA)

Springett has explained how the process works and expressed his gratitude to his parent club for their care during his time at Derby. 

"Hughesy (Andy Hughes) is a top man and he keeps in contact with me all the time. Once a week he will give me a phone call or I'll give him a call if I feel like I need to speak to him.

"He is also updating me, asking me how I'm getting on and if I'm not starting then he is asking me why or asking how my game went if I am," he said.

"I couldn't ask for more from that side. I know Norwich have a lot on right now so for him to take time out of his day to see how I'm getting on, I really appreciate it."

Derby are currently occupying a League One play-off place despite Saturday's defeat to Peterborough. 

They welcome Ipswich to Pride Park next weekend in what is being billed as a massive clash at the top of the third tier. 

Exposure to such matches will be beneficial to Springett's development - his aim is to continue to fight his way into Warne's plans for the remaining eight fixtures. 

"Norwich just wanted me to come and get game time and make the most of the experience. In the U21s, I am probably one of the fittest guys but in my first couple of appearances for Norwich after about 20 minutes I blew up. I was thinking 'why is this?'.

Tony Springett is surrounded by experienced heads at Derby County. (Image: PA Images)

"Speaking to the older lads, they spoke about adrenaline so I felt like I needed to gain that feeling on a weekly basis," Springett said. "So coming here, that is slowly starting to get out of my system.

"I really needed this. It could have gone horribly wrong and it could be going better but I set myself the target of just getting appearances and then starting - which I've done.

"Now I'm back out of the team and my job is to get back into it. I want to go back to Norwich with at least 20 appearances under my belt and the way it is going it looks very possible."