Tom Huddlestone was disappointed at Derby County tasting their first defeat of the season against Bristol City - and is calling on the team to perform from the first whistle.
The Rams fell behind on the 16-minute mark through former Derby wideman, Andreas Weimann, and Huddlestone believes that it was only then that the home side really took hold of the game.
Tom Lawrence came the closest to finding the equaliser from Mason Bennett’s cross but Robins keeper Daniel Bentley did brilliantly to switch his body position to deny the Welshman.
The visitors then bagged a second goal in added time ahead of the break through Josh Brownhill which afforded the Robins the ability to sit back in the second-half.
Although Huddlestone felt there was an improvement in the team in the second half, Lee Johnson's side defended in numbers and made it hard for Derby to break through.
“We didn’t start the game as we could have, or should have.” Huddlestone explained after the final whistle to RamsTV.
“It took us to go a goal behind for us to kick in to gear and playing better in possession and being better without the ball.
“With a team that are fairly organised like Bristol, once we gave them a two-goal head start, it is difficult to come back from that.”
He added: “We needed a bit more of a creative spark, especially towards the end of the game.
“I think in the second-half, after we tweaked a few things at half-time, we were better but we had them camped in for large spells and we just weren’t able to get that equaliser.”
The Rams continued to push and pulled a goal back through Jack Marriott when he superbly curled his effort into the top corner late on.
With West Bromwich Albion coming up next at Pride Park on Saturday, Huddlestone hopes the team can help the frontmen by creating more opportunities for them.
“I thought we still had decent possession after the goal at 2-1,” he said.
“Jack came on at the weekend and looked sharp and lively and he did again tonight. We know he can score goals, given the chance, we just need to start creating more clear-cut chances for our strikers.
“We know the Championship, the games come thick and fast regardless. We have enough rest with the Tuesday-Saturday so no complaints.”