Warne: We didn’t create enough gilt-edged chances
BOSS CAN’T KNOCK RAMS’ CHARACTER DESPITE LOSS
PAUL Warne felt a draw was “possibly” a fair result as Derby County slipped to defeat in their showdown against promotion rivals Barnsley on Saturday.
The Rams had taken the lead in the first half when Sonny Bradley scored his first goal for the club when he headed in Conor Hourihane’s corner.
But Adam Phillips scored a rocket before the break and then put Barnsley ahead after the interval when he glanced in a corner at the near post.
Derby pushed hard for an equaliser in stoppage time but could not fashion one meaningful chance.
And reflecting on the game, Rams head coach Warne said: “It was a disappointing end.
“In the first half I didn’t think we were at our best. I didn’t think we showed enough character on the ball and credit to Barnsley they are a young side. The oldest player in their team was 29 and he was the goalkeeper.
“They had young athletic players and just came after us. They didn’t give us any time on the ball and if you have less time and don’t pick the pass early on you just give the ball away.
“But apart from a 30-yard screamer my goalkeeper didn’t have much to do. Defensively we were sound but then you lose something going forward. That’s how it felt.
“Nat (Mendez-laing) is not a natural nine and he is kindly playing there for us but we didn’t have any natural rhythm to our game. In the second half we started to look good but they score from a set-piece which is horrific.
“But the lads gave everything they could right until the end. I can’t knock their character.
“But we didn’t create enough giltedged chances. It felt like a playoff game really and I think most people would agree a draw would have possibly been a fair result.”
Barnsley head coach Neill Collins insisted his side will not get carried away after after moving within three points of their promotion rivals.
Collins said: “The scenes at the end… the fans were excellent and the players were happy but no one was getting carried away.
“I think the players have been extremely professional and consistent over the season.
“We enjoy (this one) like any other victory and we get ready again because we’re in a promotion race and we all know that promotion races are over a long period of time and we need to keep that level up.
“It was definitely great for the 18,000 here today to see the home team win. Everyone was telling me it was a ‘must-win.’
“Thankfully we’ve won the game and performed well. There will be lots of ‘must-wins’ between now and the end of the season.
“We started well but lost a goal against a set-piece. Derby are excellent at attacking set-pieces but we responded again, dug in and I think it says a lot about the group that we continued to play and do the right things and got back in the game with a fantastic goal.
“Then I thought we had a real good spell up until we got the next one.”
Collins praised two-goal Phillips, saying: “He’s been a major leader in the team with his performances. He’s scoring goals and winning tackles and he’s been excellent.”