Collins red card hits Rams in losing Warne home bow
PAUL Warne admits James Collins’ emotions “overspilled” as the Rams striker faces a three-match ban for his red card in the defeat to Port Vale.
Collins had opened the scoring in the 2-1 defeat with his fourth goal of the season.
Tom Conlon missed from the penalty spot for the visitors during an entertaining first half.
Ellis Harrison then equalised from the spot after Richard Stearman handled 10 minutes after the restart.
Collins saw red moments later for a clash with Nathan Smith having challenged the defender for a cross.
It proved the turning point in the League One clash as Vale went on to claim all three points with former Derby County man James Wilson thumping home the winner.
Collins is now set to miss the next three games and asked for his verdict on the dismissal, Rams head coach Warne said: “The frustrating thing for me is I had asked the players to play on the edge and with anger. He’s just overstepped it.
“I can’t say categorically but I don’t think he hit the player, he hit the ground in frustration.
“But I understand that frustration because as the ball is coming in, they are both grabbing each other.
“Collo is trying to get the ball and the defender is just trying to stop him from getting it.
“The most frustrating thing is the free kick (went) against him.
“In my opinion – and I am biased, at best – it’s not a freekick either way. They are both grabbing each other. That’s what happens.
“To give it against him – obviously his emotions have overspilled. The consequence, you all saw it.
“I can understand why the ref has given it because the way the player was, I thought he had broken his nose or something.
“I am not a ref batterer, but there were some other decisions that I probably wasn’t as comfortable with.”
Defeat for Derby in Warne’s first home game in charge came in front of a crowd of more than 28,000 and the Rams had started with real intensity.
They created chances to extend their lead until the sending-off turned the game on its head.
“I was disappointed with the result and disappointed with parts of the performance but really pleased with others,” said Warne.
“We started really well, scored, and deserved to get another two.
“I thought we were pretty scintillating in the first half.
“We were very good on the counter-attack but probably didn’t have quite as much control in midfield as I hoped.
“It was a bit of a basketball game. We limited them to corners and long throws and they didn’t really break us open.
“That was the first half and I was disappointed we only had a one-goal lead.
“I thought the football gods were being nice because they missed a penalty that was on the other side of dubious.
“In the second half, the turning point was the sending-off.
“We gave away an unnecessary outswinging corner. There was a hand and that gave them a right boost.
“I can’t knock the lads’ efforts but the last 15-20 minutes were more like a school match.
“There were not any tactical nuances to talk about, we just had to dig in and try to get something on the break.
“Overall, it doesn’t take away from how amazing my day was.
“I know it sounds selfish but managing this football club is great and I am disappointed for the fans that we didn’t get the result.
“Sometimes football is cruel and today it did feel like we were on the wrong end of a few things.”
Warne was diplomatic about referee Sam Allison’s contribution to the day.
“A little bit disappointing is probably the nicest way of putting it,” he said.
“Look, I turned up trying to be the best manager I could. Pick the best team, make the right subs and motivate the lads.
“Everything that I did on the day wasn’t right. The nicest way I could put it is that everything that the referee did was not right. It just felt like it was a bit too much.
“That’s my honest opinion. I can’t get fined for that. I think his integrity is really good and he meant to make the right decisions.
“But when he watches it back, he might think he made some bad decisions, as did I.