Paul Warne makes 'position I am in' comment after Derby County defeat
Derby County failed to steer clear of the relegation zone and suffered a fifth defeat in a row at the hands of Sunderland on Tuesday - and manager Paul Warne has taken full responsibility.
The Rams, who are finding life difficult in the Sky Bet Championship, started slow at Pride Park. Not helped by missing key players due to injury, Derby stood a nervy and disjointed outfit before the deadlock was broken.
Elezier Mayenda scored the game's only goal in the 28th minute, though there were plenty of positives to take for the home side. Especially the much-improved second-half display which had everything but an equalising goal.
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Speaking about the game on RamsTV, Warne said: "First-half we tried to send them out really positive, we just looked a bit nervy on the ball, we didn't play with enough personality. Second-half we did and I said this to the lads that your performance levels were enough to win any game, but you can't let 45 minutes go for whatever reason."
But a defeat is still a defeat, and in a brutal footballing world decided by fine margins, results are everything, and Derby are simply not picking up points. They now sit in 20th place, just a point above the dreaded drop zone, but could sink deeper with Portsmouth and Plymouth Argyle both in action on Wednesday night.
Something Warne takes accountability for, admitting: "It's on me as always, I take the blame. I thought I sent them out really motivated to start well and we did start okay, but it just looked a bit timid.
"I appreciate the position I am in, but I was really proud of the second-half. It looked like my team."
Games don't get much bigger than what is up next for Derby. A trip to South Wales is on the cards as The Rams will square off against fellow strugglers Cardiff City, who are just one point above them, on Saturday at 3pm.
