Fikayo Tomori explained that you have to 'make your own luck' in the Sky Bet Championship and felt that is what Blackburn Rovers did in their 2-0 victory over Derby County at Ewood Park on Tuesday night.
After a goalless first-half in which the Rams’ defence was put to the test, Joe Rothwell and Bradley Dack secured the points for the home side late on in the second-half.
The centre-back felt that the defeat was made even more disappointing as it followed two positive performances by Derby in their return to action following the international break, which saw them 6-1 victors over Rotherham United and draw 3-3 with Brentford on the road.
“Disappointing is the word to use” Tomori told RamsTV.
“Everyone is feeling down after the game because we knew it was an important one, especially this week coming off the back of the performances we have had recently since the international break.
“They made it difficult for us today, sitting off and the game got a bit bitty and it is always hard to get going when it is like that.
“With the position that we are in, we should be able to deal with that and unfortunately, we didn’t do that.”
The 21-year-old believes that the mid-table placed Rovers worked hard for their victory and created the chances, while the Rams failed to do so.
Tomori added: “Both goals there was an element of luck, but even so, they can argue that they earned their luck today with the way they played and the way they pressed and they were on the front-foot.
“In these games, and especially in the Championship, you make your own luck in some games and today they did and we didn’t manage to do that.”
The Rams have six games left of the season to fight their way back into the play-off places as they currently sit on the outskirts in eighth.
They will have a chance to quickly get back on track on Saturday when they return to Pride Park Stadium to take on Bolton Wanderers.
“The mentality to just go again is how we have to approach the rest of the season,” he added.
“Throughout the whole season when we have had disappointing results we have managed to bounce back so I think we have to have the same attitude for the run-in.
“There are six vital games for us and we are back at home on Saturday, so we need to start from there to get into the play-offs. It is going to be tough.”