Derby County manager Phillip Cocu tells RamsTV he has called on his players to turn around their bad fortune and pick up all three points in the game against Barnsley.
The Rams suffered yet another disappointing result at Pride Park as Queens Park Rangers scored late on to record a slim 1-0 victory in the east Midlands.
The result leaves Derby second from bottom in the Championship table, one point ahead of Sheffield Wednesday after the Owls saw their points deduction halved.
(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images).
One win in ten games isn’t good enough. And Derby did little to convince on Wednesday that they were going to record their first home win in the league of the season.
Speaking to Rams TV, Cocu says he discussed Derby’s run of bad luck with his players and called on them to stop the rot with three points at the weekend.
I don’t think the team deserve it, but it’s the way it is at the moment. We discussed it quite a few times in the last games. If you’re in this situation like us, it’s really tough to get out of it because luck is not on your side. The only thing what can change it is to win your own games starting with the game on Saturday.
Derby have been on the wrong end of misfortune in recent weeks.
The Rams appeared to have a legitimate winner ruled out on the 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest, while Derby would have beaten Bournemouth last weekend had it not been for a miraculous goal-line clearance from Steve Cook following Lee Buchanan’s close-range effort.
That said, the general performance against QPR didn’t warrant a positive result.
(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images).
After performing reasonably well of late in a back-three system, Cocu opted to bring in an extra attacking player against QPR and resort back to last season’s 4-2-3-1 formation.
Ultimately, Derby looked poorer for it and they lacked a serious goal threat throughout.
Next up for Cocu’s side is now a must-win encounter at home to Barnsley.
Also see: Report: Derby and Boro eye deal for out of favour top-flight player earning £100k-per-week
Also see: DCN view: Derby youngster’s stunning form leaves little regret at missing out on Chelsea man