‘We Hold Our Hands Up, That Wasn’t Good Enough’

Andre Wisdom says Derby County will use the international break to go back to the drawing board after being ‘so far off’ their usual standards in their 4-2 defeat to Reading on Saturday afternoon.

Two goals in the first 12 minutes – from Liam Moore and then Sone Aluko – left the Rams with a mountain to climb, which was made steeper as Roy Beerens struck early in the second half after rounding Scott Carson.

Gary Rowett’s side cut the deficit back to two through Johnny Russell’s first League goal of the campaign, but Modou Barrow added a fourth for the Royals, before Chris Martin scored a late consolation on his 29th birthday.

Wisdom, the 24-year-old full back, felt Derby lost the game in the first 25 minutes of the game at Pride Park Stadium.

He told RamsTV: “It was really disappointing. Over the first 25 minutes we were so far off it, but the lads tried, tried and tried to get back into the game.

“We had quite a few chances, but when you are going for the game, you can be left vulnerable to the counter attack because of the spaces that are left.

“We have got to come away from this and start from scratch, because that wasn’t good enough.

“There’s no real explanation for it. The squad was in great shape, we have been training really well, but we lost the game over the first 25 minutes.

“We couldn’t nick a goal before half time and then when the third went in, it’s like climbing a mountain.

“It’s frustrating because we know what we are capable of. We hold our hands up, that wasn’t good enough.”

He added: “We know what the potential of the squad is and where we can get to and it’s important that we keep trying to work towards that.

“Days like this are going to happen – it’s unfortunate because we have been on a great run – but it is also part and parcel of football.

“You can’t get too down when you lose, and you can’t get too high when you win.”

The Rams lost skipper Richard Keogh to an injury in the opening minutes of the match – breaking up a back four that had started together over the last six Sky Bet Championship matches.

Wisdom says Derby cannot blame the fact that they lost the Republic of Ireland international early doors on the loss and says there has to be a collective responsibility within the group.

“Keysey (Richard Keogh) has been here a long time and is the club captain and seeing him every day in training, it’s clear what he brings to the table,” he added.

“He wears his heart on his sleeve, he gives everything on the football pitch, so yes, it’s tough when a player like him goes off.

“I thought Alex came on in a difficult situation and gave his all. That’s what the bench is there for and everyone needs to take their opportunity when they are called upon.

“We can’t blame this result on Rich having to go off, as a collective, we have to take responsibility.”