Tom Huddlestone was disappointed that Derby County didn’t take their chances to overcome Swansea City in their 1-1 draw at the Liberty Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Richard Keogh opened the scoring when he dipped his headed effort below the crossbar from Harry Wilson’s corner early on.
The Rams came close to doubling their lead before the break with Mason Mount’s cross being tapped inches wide by Swans defender Cameron Carter-Vickers before Wilson rifled a shot from just inside the area towards goal, only for it to be tipped over.
Tom Lawrence also had a chance to win the game late on after Wayne Routledge equalised when he curled his shot from the edge of the area over the crossbar.
The point wasn’t enough for the Rams to secure their play-off place, however finishing in the top-six is still in their hands heading into the final game of the season against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday with a point advantage over their closest rivals, Middlesbrough.
“A few weeks ago if you said a win at home on the last day of the season would put us in the play-offs we would have probably taken that,” the midfielder told RamsTV following the game.
“Tonight was disappointing. I thought the first-half we played pretty well, it was just the final choices in the final third and it is disappointing to concede from a set piece at any time, especially the manner in tonight’s goal.”
He added: “Their fans were ready to turn a little bit and I think if we got the second with the way their fans were and the fact they have nothing to play for, it could have been a fairly comfortable night, but we didn’t manage to get it.
“They changed their system two or three times and were probably experimenting a little bit and had a bit more freedom which we did find difficult to deal with.”
All is to play for on Sunday afternoon as the 2018/19 Sky Bet Championship league campaign comes to an end.
The Rams take on West Bromwich Albion on home turf knowing a win will confirm their place in the play-offs and Huddlestone is calling on the fans to help the team get over the line while he promises that on the pitch Derby will be doing everything they can to produce a similar performance to their 4-1 victory over the Baggies earlier in the season.
He said:“It is a home game, the fans will be with us and I’m sure it will be a full house. We have just got to start the game fast like we have in the last few home games and be relentless with and without the ball.
“We will have a game plan tomorrow, Friday, Saturday leading into the game and make the most of that. I think the fans can play a vital part, West Brom know that they are in the play-offs so if we can start the game fast and make a difficult afternoon for them.”
He continued: “Once they cross the white line they will be trying to win the game. I don’t think any professional goes into it not too bothered.
“They will want to finish as high as possible and if they feel they can nick third then I am sure they will want to do that. We have just got to focus on ourselves.
“We had a good performance against them earlier in the season and although they have got a new manager and a few personnel changes, but we have just got to approach it in the same way.”