Head Coach Paul Warne expressed
his pride in his Derby County squad despite tasting defeat at Bramall Lane against Sheffield United in his 400th match in club management.
Sheffield United came out on top in a tough contest in South Yorkshire as Gustavo Hamer’s second-half free-kick was the only thing to divide the two teams.
Derby are still waiting for their first points away from home this season, but sit 10th in the Sky Bet Championship after six games, with a perfect record at Pride Park Stadium.
The home form couldn’t be converted into a result on the road as Chris Wilder’s Blades side, relegated from the Premier League last season, kept their unbeaten start to the season going.
Warne spoke to RamsTV after the game to discuss the importance of belief in the group and to reflect after reaching a managerial milestone.
On defeat at Bramall Lane…
I’m disappointed with the result over the course of the game. Sheffield United probably deserved it, but it doesn't mean I'm happy about it. I felt like it was going to be one of those games that goes down to a set-piece goal and, unfortunately, the midfielder who took it is probably only one of three or four in the league that could possibly put it in the top corner.
For large periods of the game, we went toe-to-toe with them pretty well. We created a couple of chances in the first half, but in the second half we didn't create enough. And Sheffield United put tight screws on us, so I have to credit them; they're a very good team full of very good players.
I thought our lads defended well, put their bodies on the line. But, we didn't really create enough. It was only after did they score that we had to try and give them different questions to answer. We changed the shape and a few of the players because I always ask the lads to 'gas out' and there were some tired bodies out there.
Overall, I am pleased and proud, but obviously we’re disappointed as it is a results based business. I just felt we needed that that one opportunity in the second half. I think 1-1 could have been fitting and it would have changed the atmosphere in here. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be.
On competing against former Premier League opposition…
If you go in our dressing room now, the lads are heartbroken - they’re not taking the defeat lightly because ‘it’s only 1-0 against one of the league's favourites.’ They're not like that. They're raging that they didn't win - and that's what you want. You want them to turn up here today with the belief they've got to win.
It's about getting the best out of our group; I thought at times we had that. In previous games, we've had that too. I'm proud of the fact that after the Blackburn game, we've just become a lot more solid. The out-of-possession stuff from the lads is really good. We just didn't have the cutting edge in the final third today, which is disappointing.
On making life difficult for quality teams…
I understand their (Sheffield United’s) celebrations after the win; I think it's a testament to the lads that they were that pleased to win. It's also a testament to the lads that we turn up here expecting to win. All the fans who were behind the goal are turning up thinking, come on, try and entertain us. And then the lads have given everything.
We'll watch it back and we'll show how we need to be better in the crucial moments. But the lads, to a man, really gave everything they've got. I can't leave here disappointed with them.
On recognising the progress made at Derby, after his 400th match in club management…
I'm really proud of managing 400 games. What gives me a great spirit about the whole thing is all the people who have touched my life since I've been a manager. The players that have sacrificed and worked hard and the coaches that have gone beyond to enable me to get 400 games.
I'm proud of how the club's going. We leave here today, and we're disappointed we lost 1-0 to an ex-Premier League club. There are a lot of brilliant things about this team. It's down to all the hard work that is put into them. I'm really proud to be part of it.
