Shay Given says Derby County’s midweek defeat must be used as a learning curve ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship visit to Barnsley (3pm kick-off).
Derby’s three-game winning run came to an end in South Yorkshire at Rotherham United as the home side scored three late goals to claim a 3-0 victory.
After an upturn in form in recent months, following Wayne Rooney’s spell in interim charge and following his permanent appointment, Derby have begun to claw their way up the league table.
The defeat at Rotherham was not what anyone in the Derby camp wanted and Given has stressed that the Rams must learn from the disappointment.
Given, who holds the position of First Team Coach on Rooney’s staff, has explained the importance of the side showing an immediate response at Oakwell.
“It was frustrating the other night because we lost 3-0, but it is important to take a step backwards the next day and watch the game back and analyse it,” Given told RamsTV.
“We probably had the best chance of the game on 72 minutes, when Lee Gregory headed wide, and then they scored on 75 minutes – and we know that games are decided on small margins at times.
“If you get the first goal in most games then you have a great chance of winning. We were disappointed with the nature of the first goal being from a set play on the halfway line. The next two goals came from us pushing to get back into the game and we left ourselves a bit exposed.
“It’s just frustrating and we have to step away from that to focus on Barnsley now and use it as a learning curve and what we can do better. It is just key moments; it will be the same at Barnsley.”
The ex-Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper added: “Hopefully we can get in front and build on that. Barnsley have aspects of their game which are like Rotherham and we have to match that.”
Derby’s squad has a fresh look after making five new signings were made before the Transfer Window closed at 11pm on Monday.
Rooney moved to sign Teden Mengi (Manchester United), Lee Gregory (Stoke City), George Edmundson (Rangers), Beni Baningime (Everton) and Patrick Roberts (Manchester City) all joining on loan deals until the end of the season.
Given says the quintet have quickly settled into life with the Rams.
“Transfer deadline day was helpful with new faces coming into the building,” Given said. “It will take some time for them to integrate into the squad, but I think they have settled in really well. They are not only good players, but good characters as well.
“That is important and when Wayne likes to know as much about the character as anything when he’s bringing players in.
“Their football skill is a big part of it, but you have to sign the right sort of characters because of the situation we are in. I think he has done that and they have settled in really well.”
He added: “We are not taking away from the group that was there before and still here now. They have done a fantastic job the players on the pitch and they deserve all the credit for our improved form.”