One Derby County star has been challenged to stake his claim to earn a start for the side.
The Rams will be hoping to put an end to a very disappointing run on the road as they face off against Millwall.
Derby County have lost all four games on their travels in the 2024/25 Championship season, however it has been an overly positive campaign so far due to the incredible form at Pride Park for Paul Warne’s side.
It is clear that the way Warne sets his side up on the road sees them often up against the cosh, and as a result the defence have got to be switched on to ensure that they can quash the extra threat from the opposition attack.
As a result, Warne will have difficult decisions to make in regards to his defensive lineup, and one key player that would be assumed to be in-and-around the side is Nat Phillips, however the Derby County boss has highlighted that it isn’t as easy as just bringing the player straight in.
Paul Warne sets challenge for Nat Phillips after lack of Derby County gametime
Derby County’s backline has seen both Eiran Cashin and Curtis Nelson prove to be crucial in defence, and it would be incredibly harsh for either to be dropped following their recent form.
Nelson in particular was brilliant in the win against QPR, and such a performance can simply not be followed up by him being dropped.
As a result, Phillips may not be in line for his second start for Derby County this season as a result of Warne’s latest comments, who said per the Club’s Youtube: “What has also happened which pleased me, like Nat [Phillips] has not played many minutes yet but I have not brought him in not to play but he has to get in.
“Whether that has increased the standard of the two or three other centre halves, I don’t know, but the actual standard in training has improved a lot.”
Nat Phillips must be patient at Derby County
Phillips has certainly arrived with all the credentials of being a top defender at Championship level, and it is a massive surprise that he has been handed just the one start up until this point.
However, Warne’s point is fully valid at this point, and both Cashin and Nelson at this point are certainly not deserving of being dropped to the bench.
As a result, Phillips must remain patient and wait for this moment, which will likely arrive following the successive away clashes, and once he is handed that opportunity, there is no doubt that he will take it with both hands.