Head Coach Paul Warne was happy to see Derby County seal their spot in the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup following the 5-0 win over Torquay United on Tuesday evening.
Goals from Liam Thompson, Will Osula, David McGoldrick, Lewis Dobbin and an own-goal from Torquay defender Mark Ellis completed a five-star performance from the Rams in the First Round Replay at Pride Park Stadium, following a 2-2 draw at Plainmoor in the initial First Round tie.
Speaking to RamsTV after the game, the Head Coach gave his verdict on the win over the National League side.
On the performance…
I think the scoreline didn’t flatter us really, we could have scored more. However, there was a 15 minute spell in the first-half where we could have conceded a couple but that lads stood up. Torquay were always going to ask questions of us and I think we did enough to go through.
On Liam Thompson's showing and his goal…
A big part of me as a manager and my staff is the culture of the club. The lads all have to get on, they all have to look after each other and care for each other’s careers because we’re in it together.
I’m really pleased for Liam to score a goal. His game time at the minute is limited and that’s not because I don’t think he’s a good player, it’s because there’s some outstanding players in front of him.
I thought he did really well tonight, though. I thought Jake Rooney was great in a couple of different positions. Didzy, Stears and Birdy really marshalled the team as the backbone of it. Overall we didn’t have many issues apart from Haydon Roberts felt his hamstring a bit and there’s no point taking any risks.
On giving players more minutes…
I didn’t use it as a practice game. We picked a team that we thought would win the game and go through but five games in 12 days is tough and especially for the lads over 30. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing needed some time off his feet, I didn’t want to risk Conor Hourihane or Craig Forsyth, but in the end I had to risk Foz. I let Korey Smith play in midfield for a bit just to make him smile because he’s been playing at full-back for so long.
It was about not putting any unnecessary physicality through the lads that I didn’t have to. The lads who came in to a man did a job to get us through and that’s what it’s all about. We’ll be on the training ground in around 9 or ten 10 hours to go again.
On Lewis Dobbin’s superb goal…
He’s a really popular member of the dressing room. He had a couple of chances early on and sometimes when you have them you may lose belief but he doesn’t. The fact he took the shot on is brave because it could have hit my car in the car park - but it didn’t! It went top corner, it was an amazing goal and I’m really pleased for him.