Paul Warne was understandably disappointed after seeing his Derby County side miss out on a place in the Sky Bet League One play-offs after going down 1-0 at Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the 2022/23 season.
Derby slipped out of the top six in agonising fashion as a controversial penalty and subsequent red card for captain Curtis Davies in the first half, with Michael Smith scoring the resultant spot-kick for the Owls, saw them beaten on the road.
A 2-0 win for Peterborough United at Barnsley saw them steal sixth place from the Rams, who had they equalised at Hillsborough would have finished above Posh on goal difference.
It wasn’t to be for Derby though as David McGoldrick and Max Bird both saw chances pass them by and Warne’s side must settle for another season in the third tier.
Warne spoke to RamsTV after the final whistle to review the game and to also map out how the future will look as Derby begin to prepare for the 2023/24 campaign.
On the game…
My overall feeling is one of pride, really. I thought we were the better side up until the dubious penalty and sending off. I asked the lads at half-time what sort of character we had and could we show what we were truly about. With ten men, they gave us everything. We still managed to create some really good opportunities against a strong team. I am disappointed, obviously, but I am proud too. We gave some great moments to a magical fanbase this season, but we were just short. If I am really honest, as good as were at times today, we’re just missing that little bit - but not guts and character. I am heartbroken for the lads and I can’t leave here disappointed with the performance. It isn’t today that has stopped us being in the play-offs, it is the points we’ve dropped when we shouldn’t have. Every team has a story like that, I get that, but I think ours is pretty sad. I would like to thank everyone that turned up today and supported us. I understand how much pain they must have felt but for them to stay and clap the team off was special. I am proud to manage this team.
On Curtis Davies’ red card…
I am obviously biased, but I think it was very harsh. I thought Joe Wildsmith and Eiran Cashin were back defending as cover and I have also been told the challenge was pretty weak as well. I can’t referee the game and I wouldn’t want to. If it was at the other end, would I want a penalty? Of course I would.
His reflections on the season…
The football club has come a long way since last summer and that is down to David Clowes, really. I feel sorry for him the most to be honest because he is superfan who loves the club and did everything last summer to make sure it was still alive. We have come a long way, but it doesn’t make much we hurt now any less. We were in a position to get in the play-offs and if we had got in there I believe we would have had enough to beat Sheffield Wednesday over two legs.
On going into the summer and shaping his own squad…
We will, like every other club, have the summer and there will be a bit of shimmying around. This is elite sport and changes are made. I have said it before, but I feel that by not getting in the top six we have failed. We should have been in the top six and it is our jobs to put it right. If you keep doing the same thing, you’ll probably get the same outcome. I am excited about signing players and this is a club people want to come to and be part of. We need a few days to lick our wounds and then we’ll start again.
On the discussions with players on their futures…
I’ll let everyone have a few days off and then I’ll have as many individual meetings as possible, both in person and FaceTime if need be. There are conversations to be had with players that are out of contract and also essential ones with those under contract too. Some of these lads might not like what they see after seven months or so working with us and that’s fine; I’ll help people move on if needs be and get a group that is truly dedicated. Saying that, all the lads have been excellent for us and had a right go. We’re not far off and it is the hope that kills you. We were so close, but the football gods didn’t want us to go through.
On the supporters of the club…
It is alright me saying it having been in football for forever, but the club is in really good hands with the owner. It is a healthy club and we will come back stronger next year, I sincerely believe that. The players can feel the goodwill from the fans and there is a feelgood factor about the club. The supporters play a massive part in that and they’ve been so welcoming. I am really looking forward to next season but I hope everyone can see how much the lads have given for the club this year. We’ve just fallen short and for that I am sorry.