Paul Warne admitted Derby County’s boost of intensity in the second half gave them the spark they needed to claim a 1-1 draw at Oxford United in the Sky Bet Championship on Tuesday night.
Dane Scarlett’s early strike put the U’s in front before Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s stinging strike in the penalty box drew the game level as Derby grew into the game and threatened in the second half.
It was the second 1-1 draw in as many games away from home for Derby as they picked up a point on the road against Millwall on Saturday.
Warne spoke to RamsTVafter his side picked up the point in Oxfordshire.
On a second 1-1 draw in a row on the road…
I thought in parts we were good in the first half, we created good opportunities but not in the entirety and that was disappointing. I felt we looked a little bit lacklustre and collectively we looked a little bit soft. In the second half we were significantly better. We should have won the game. We created enough good chances in areas where I fancy my players to hit the target. We didn't so that's the only disappointing thing, but I can accept that. What I can't accept is a lack of intensity and collectively we had a lack of that in the first half.
On needing to see intensity throughout the game…
Sometimes football isn't a tactical game, you just have to do the basics well. I just didn't think we'd done the basics well enough in moments. There were moments where Corey Blackett-Taylor got in or Nathaniel Mendez-Laing got in. Ebou Adams' job was to keep Will Vaulks out of the game but then when we got the ball, could we do something with it?
I didn't think we were quick enough in our play; we didn't move the ball with enough precision to give ourselves a good chance in the first half. The second half felt a lot better and a lot more like the team I know they are and that's why I'm upset with them and upset with myself. I just think we just wasted 45 minutes; that's how it feels.
On seeing improvements in the second half…
We tweaked the ten role so Kenzo Goudmijn took that position, but he was feeling a little bit of pain so we took him off. We put Ebou in a more defensive role and we did have that bit more intensity in our play; we were pressing as a team we got a little bit higher and were that bit more aggressive, winning a few more headers. Hence we got into the penalty box a lot more and hence we had so many chances.
On Nathaniel Mendez-Laing getting off the mark with his first goal of the season…
He took his goal really well - it wasn't an easy finish. Jerry Yates did well to hassle and win the ball to set it up. Nat caught the ball well. It was great for him to get his first goal of the season, and his performance in the second half was significantly better. I know he's still a little bit jaded after the international period too. I’m pleased for him, and I'm pleased for the team. I can't come out and say everything's amazing. I just thought that we could still have been better tonight.