Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne knows the task of facing a potentially managerless Oxford United side could prove tricky on Saturday afternoon.

The U's parted ways with Karl Robinson a fortnight ago and are yet to appoint a new boss ahead of the weekend's Sky Bet League One fixture at the Kassam Stadium (3pm kick-off).

Speaking to RamsTV ahead of the trip to Oxfordshire, Warne spoke about the challenge that Oxford could pose his side, David McGoldrick's 'Player Of The Month' win and more.

On David McGoldrick's 'Player Of The Month' award...

It is brilliant for Didzy, he had a great month.

In fairness I think he's had better months, but I know how these things work - he's scored a lot of goals but I think he's had better performing months.

I'm really pleased for him, though, as he's a brilliant lad. He's brilliant with the younger lads on and off the pitch.

I think he's a really good example of what you can do when you make the best of yourself and he's definitely done that, scoring goals for fun and leading the line well.

On whether he's met expectations since he arrived...

At Sheffield United he always played between the lines and always caused problems. However, they were a team that always had the ball and were the best team in the league.

I've always liked him but I always thought I'd have to get more out of him because I like to get a lot out of my players and I like them to do a lot out of possession. I wasn't sure at his tender age if I could get that out of him and I've been nicely surprised. In fairness to him, he has surprised me - not with his ability and what he can do with the ball but with how hard he works elsewhere and what a professional he is with the younger lads.

On reflection of the last two games, drawing with Shrewsbury and losing at Plymouth...

Without sounding like a parent, I was more disappointed than anything with the last two games. I thought in the Shrewsbury game we were unbelievable in the first half and we had a 15 minute spell where we conceded and unfortunately we ended up throwing away two points (the game finished 2-2). That was a bitter pill for me to swallow because our first half performance deserved to beat anyone.

To then follow that up against Plymouth - we did the same and smoked them in the first half and for the same thing to happen it was beyond frustrating (Derby lost 2-1).

Games turn on a heartbeat and if you miss one tackle, one throw-in, one set-piece, then it can change. Concentration levels have to be from 0 to 95 minutes and unfortunately in the last couple of games that's where we've let ourselves down and there's my frustration.

I can't guarantee anything on Saturday, I just hope those little parts of our play, if they do come in, we don't get punished like we have been.

On if the players have shown a reaction this week...

My politically correct answer is yes, but my honest answer is, no I haven't. People in their training environments - it's not real. You could watch a boxer train and he'll look amazing before the fight but then he gets punched on the chin and doesn't get up.

In training, these lads always train well. I never get a sense that they aren't at it. The senior professionals are a joke and really good. The young lads are still learning the game but I never sense that the standards are down or up.

We trained today, which was limited because of the snowy conditions, and the standards in training are really good. Their performances for 95% of the time are really good, it's just that 5% that holds us back a little bit.

On the challenge of facing a managerless side in Oxford...

It is more for the players. What I do know is that when a new manager comes in, you get an extra 20% because the ones on the periphery always want to perform. It's just the craziest thing.

When a new manager comes in, the ones that thought they were safe all of a sudden think they won't be playing every week and the ones that come on as substitutes think it's their chance to shine.

Another thing a new manager brings is that it gives the stadium a right boost. Everybody has their enthusiasm back, everything resets and that is the problem that you have when facing a new manager. Not only tactically will they change it but what you are sure of is that the crowd will be up for it a lot more and the players are just a little bit more incentivised.

On Max Bird returning from injury...

He's back in training and in fairness the staff are incredible. The physios and all that department are something else. Birdy has come back ahead of steam but in phenomenal shape so I'm really pleased with him and if I wanted to start him tomorrow I could.