Cocu tells Rams to go for the kill
PHILLIP Cocu has called on his Derby County players to kill games off
The Rams have taken the lead in their last two games only to be pegged back.
They did against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Friday night but drew 1-1.
Martyn Waghorn’s excellent free kick put the Rams one up against Cardiff City at Pride Park Stadium on Wednesdaynight, but Kieffer Moore equalised for the visitors 13 minutes from time.
The draw lifted Derby out of the Championship’s bottom three on goal difference but they have collected only five points from 24 this season.
“It is frustrating we couldn’t get the win,” said Cocu.
“Once again we played a really good first half. After scoring a great goal, that was the time for us to decide the game.
“To score the second goal is what we needed to do. That is the difference and the last step we have to take, that is the one thing that is holding us back.
“We have scored first in the last two games, so we need to kill the game with a second. It is tough in these tight games, but we have to kill the game with the second goal.
“If you can do that, then the belief of your opponent is influenced big time.
“At 1-0, you have to keep fighting, and especially with how they (Cardiff) play. With all the crosses and the diagonals, one or two situations will always happen.
“The two most dangerous situations (from Cardiff) were when they hit the crossbar and the goal.
“That is tough but we have to look at ourselves and try to get more goals out of the shots we have on target or even the corners.
“That can be the difference in three points and one but again I can see the improvement in the team.”
Cocu explained the thinking behind changing both wing-backs against the Bluebirds.
Right wing-back Nathan Byrne was replaced by Craig Forsyth after 62 minutes.
Forsyth filled the left wing-back role and Lee Buchanan switched to the right.
Buchanan was then replaced by Mike te Wierik in the 78th minute.
On Byrne, Cocu said: “He is OK. When he had the ball, it wasn’t his best game in his decision making.
“Then, in the second half they (Cardiff) put (centre forward) Keiffer Moore on that side and hit diagonals from Sean Morrison every time.
“So I thought Lee is good there (on the right), and we put Fozzy (Craig Forsyth) in with more height also.
“Then Lee had a bit of cramp in his hamstring.
“We did not want to take the risk of losing a player who is developing really well in the last couple of games, so Mike te Wierik came on and did well when we had possession and he was strong defensively, so that was good to see. I think Lee won’t be a problem for Saturday.”
The Rams are away at Bournemouth tomorrow (3pm).