Paul Warne warns against Derby County 'destiny' doom as he makes psychological admission
Paul Warne admits his Derby County players are in need of some TLC.
The Rams slipped to their fifth straight defeat in the Championship in midweek, losing 1-0 to Sunderland at Pride Park. They are now only one point and one place above the relegation zone, in 21st spot, ahead of facing 20th-placed Cardiff City away on Saturday (3pm).
The defeat to the Black Cats was compounded by a double injury blow as Kane Wilson and Dajaune Brown both suffered hamstring injuries which rule them out of the huge clash with the Bluebirds. But Warne is expected to be boosted by the return of key man Eiran Cashin in Cardiff, while Ryan Nyambe and on-loan David Ozoh could be back in the squad after injuries.
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Warne is also positive about the energy levels of his players before the Cardiff City Stadium clash, but admits they are in need of a psychological boost amid their losing run. “Physically, I think they’ll be OK,” he said. “Psychologically, they are going to need a bit of TLC I think because they are on the run of bad results and you don’t want to start thinking that there’s a destiny or something crazy. You need to snap out of it.”
A victory over Cardiff would certainly help on that front, with Warne knowing well the significance of the match.
“I do honestly think, there isn't a great deal between any of the teams in this league,” he said. “I've got massive respect for Sunderland, and I didn't think that they were significantly better than us.
“But you do have to beat the teams in and around you, that is obvious. But I don't think it's easier or harder opposition than a Sunderland or a Watford away, it's just a different opposition, and they will see this game as one that they will pen down as a home win as well.
“So, I think it will be two teams, needing a win, and wanting a win. Both teams have got new players in their squad, so it will make it an interesting game, but it is a game that we have earmarked, and we want to come away with three points, but then we have been every game in the last six.
“So, it is an important game, and we have played top teams, and I think we have competed well in large parts of it. But I've said that a few times now. We have to perform for the full match, and unfortunately for us the other night, we didn't perform at our best for the entirety.”
