3/1 To Win
Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne says he is pleased with his team’s progress as they look ahead to their first home game of the 2024/25 Sky Bet Championship campaign on Saturday against Middlesbrough (12:30pm kick-off).
Boro will be the Rams’ first clash on home soil of the new league campaign following promotion from League One last term.
Both teams come into the game buoyed by win in the Carabao Cup in midweek, with Derby beating Sky Bet League Two newcomers Chesterfield 2-1 at Pride Park Stadium on Tuesday and Boro impressively overcame Leeds United 3-0 at Elland Road 24 hours later.
Warne caught up with RamsTV ahead of the clash with Boro to speak about Tuesday’s Carabao Cup victory, which set up a trip to Barrow in Round Two, youngster Dajaune Brown’s contribution to the squad and returning to Pride Park for Championship football following last Friday's 4-2 loss at Blackburn Rovers.
On the performance against Chesterfield on Tuesday night…
There are always things to improve on, but we didn't get any injuries, we won the game and you can only beat the teams in front of you. I was pretty pleased. There were some really good performances; I thought Craig Forsyth was really good, I thought Liam Thompson was really good and Dajaune Brown just needed a goal. I thought his overall play was really good.
Generally, apart from their first injection into our box, I thought we looked alright. We just wobbled a bit when we conceded, which can happen. You're not ever going to be perfect. I thought the performance was good and I'm reasonably happy.
On Dajaune Brown’s performance and role going forward…
He had a really good season last year and did well on loan at Gateshead. He came back for pre-season better than I thought and I’ve told him that. He's done really well in that respect and held his own more than I thought he would. I wanted to give him an opportunity. I thought he brought something different and wanted to have a look at him.
It's a difficult one in terms of if we keep him with us or loan him out, because I think he could have an effect for us. We have Jerry Yates to come back from suspension and I still want to sign another striker. Then, it is about how much game time I can give him. From a club development point of view, maybe I would be better off loaning him out. However, from a selfish point of view I like the thought that he's here and I can put him on, and he might start a game here and there so he can get used to how we play.
On Saturday’s opponents Middlesbrough…
They've always been a good team. I think they only missed out on the play-offs last year by a few points. The way they play, they're really good on the transition with counter-attacks. They have pace and they have a real purpose to how they play.
They've played a certain way in their first two games. It doesn't mean they're going to play like that against us. But, predominantly, they're nearly a 4-4-2 out of possession.
They drop off and let you have the ball. But, when they get it, they are springing pace all over the place. That's what ended up getting them the victory at Leeds in the Carabao Cup. Most of their goals were off winning the ball in their own half and just getting forward at pace. I would say they are a sort of polished version of ourselves.
On returning to Pride Park in the league…
Every club needs their home fans. Our home fans are a massive advantage over virtually everyone. The home fans and their positivity around the place, the flags and them staying with the team is absolutely essential. Everyone plays a part in all the points we can collect at home.
The lads will enjoy playing at home. It'll be nice for the new lads to see Pride Park full. It's a great memory and a great introduction to life as a Derby player. I'm expecting us to play well at home.
