HE may have that swarthy Latin look that screams Spanish sunshine but Pablo Counago is no softie afraid of bad weather.

Derek Davis

By Derek Davis

HE may have that swarthy Latin look that screams Spanish sunshine but Pablo Counago is no softie afraid of bad weather.

Contrary to popular believe Counago actually loves playing in the wind and rain because it reminds him of home sweet home.

Counago dismissed the notion that he won't fancy it much today with sub-zero temperatures forecast with a threat of sleet or even snow.

With that familiar shrug of the shoulder and cheeky little grin Counago said: “This is not bad weather - it is good weather. I like the rain and I don't mind the cold. Where I lived in northern Spain the weather was the same as here in the winter, if anything it may even rain more.

“Of course in summer it is very hot but people from England, Germany and Holland, they think it is always hot but the north is very different to the south.”

Counago, who has four goals this season, is hoping to get the nod from manager Jim Magilton to start for today after impressing in substitute appearances of late along with Jon Stead.

He said: “When you are on the bench you always look forward to playing and to start if you can.”

It may help that he, and Tommy Miller, have done well against the Rams in the past with Counago scoring in the 4-1 rout at Pride Park in 2003.

He said: “I have done well enough against Derby in the past but that was a few years ago.

“It is always nice to place against good sides like Derby. They were in the Premier League last season.

“I know they did not do every well but they were there and they have experienced, quality, players so it will be a good game to play in.”

Although Derby have been on a decent run of late and have a sprinkling of top players the Spaniard insists it is about what Town do.

Counago said: “We know what we are up against and we look at a few things, really we are not too concerned because for me it is all about how we are.

“If we are ready then we have enough quality not to worry too much about who we are up against. If we are playing 100 per cent then we know what we can do and not worry about the opposition.”

The failure at Doncaster stung the Blues and Counago is confident that will be a driving force today.

He said: “Every time you lose a game you look forward to the one to put it right and it is no different against Derby. We are looking to win against a good side.”

derek.davis@eadt.co.uk