I respect your passion and your opinion, Easy, and I entirely agree about the character and calibre of this team of ours. I didn't even suggest losing to Derby would leave them 'cowed' - simply that continuing our superb run in convincing style is the best possible preparation for going to Boro...
I totally understand what you're saying.
But my point is that Derby does matter, because the likelihood of us winning at the Riverside is considerably greater if we continue the winning run convincingly against the Rams.
If we don't, never mind 90 minutes from glory, we'll be more likely 90...
Of course the Derby result matters. If we beat them convincingly, the momentum continues and the squad head for the Riverside full of confidence that we can get the necessary result.
If we get tonked, the task becomes a bigger ask.
Yes, a win will do it, but much easier on the back of another...