3/1 To Win
Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne praised the 'excellent' performance of his side in the 2-2 draw with Sky Bet League One leaders Portsmouth on Tuesday evening.
The Rams took the lead twice on the night, both times through Joe Ward, but were twice pegged back and both teams ultimately had to settle for a point apiece.
Speaking to RamsTV after the game, Warne gave his verdict on a night he said he felt nothing but pride for his team.
On his immediate thoughts following full-time...
I'm really proud, I thought the lads were excellent. Credit to the analysts and Richie Barker and Matt Hamshaw who coach the lads and try and find a weakness in the opposition. I thought, overall, our performance was pretty good and the place was bouncing. This amount of people turning up to watch a game in the third tier is a joke! A lot of effort has gone into this and I'm just disappointed that we've dropped two points from a 30-yard screamer. It felt like they'd got to a stage where they'd ran out of ideas and we always looked dangerous on the counter-attack. I have nothing but pride and that point could be massive come the end of the season.
On whether he was pleased with a point in the end...
All in all I'm pleased, but if we were losing 2-1 and got a draw we'd be buzzing but when you're winning 2-1 and feel like the game is just running out of steam it is different. I felt we'd ridden the storm but unfortunately it wasn't to be. It doesn't take anything away from how much effort the lads have put in, though.
On Joe Ward getting his first two goals for the club...
We said to the lads before the game that it's definitely a night to shoot and to shoot low because the ball skids off the ground. I'm really pleased for Joe. His performance was excellent and he was really disciplined. I don't think until recently Derby fans really saw the best of Wardy, but in the last few weeks I think they are starting to see it. We asked him to do a lot of work today out of possession and it's testament to how well all the lads have been coached this week and how well they've taken the information on.
On what the conditions were like on the field...
I don't think the game was in any doubt because, in fairness to Portsmouth, their pitch is immaculate and is solid with grass. If it wasn't like a lot of League One pitches, it wouldn't have been playable. The wind was swirly but it's the same for both teams, I'm not being precious about it and it did make it so there were a few tackles looking a bit more lively than usual.
On whether he's pleased with the return over the Easter period...
We wanted six points but if you'd have said to be going into it we'd get four points from Blackpool at home and Portsmouth away, I'd have taken it. It's disappointing because we looked pretty solid tonight, so it's disappointing we didn't take all three but it isn't through a lack of effort. Four points is good but it's only good if you back it up. If we go to Wycombe and don't back it up then this point looks worse. If you back it up with three, which is a big ask, this could be the point that defines you. The lads put so much effort in for one point but one point is still impressive at this time of the season and in this sort of pressure.
On both fans playing their part on the evening...
I appreciate the fans and appreciate them staying until the end. They will know how hard the lads worked tonight and respectfully clapped them off. I get their disappointment at not getting all three points and nobody is more disappointed than me, the staff and the team. It is a good point against a good team with a good performance, so we can build on that. There could be seven games left yet, so we can't get too high or low.
