Derby County manager Paul Warne has said that ‘the reality is’ Derby are ‘way short’ of where they want to be.
The Rams suffered their second defeat in their last three games at the hands of Stevenage on Saturday afternoon, losing 3-1.
This put Warne under growing pressure as manager, but it has since come out that he has the full backing of the board.
Manager says Derby below expectations
Speaking to the Derby Telegraph, Warne has claimed that the Rams are ‘way short’ of where they want to be, and that they need to make it right.
“The reality is with what we have we should be top six if everyone performs at their level. At times, collectively we haven’t performed at our level. If come the end of the season we are out of the top six, I understand, because it’s not my first rodeo, that the criticism will come to the staff.
“I understand that. If you ask me at the end of the season and we finish seventh and you say do you think you should be sacked or resign I will say I don’t think I should resign. But if the owner doesn’t think I have done well enough with the things at my grasp, because everything is not out there, if seventh isn’t good enough then I will leave.
“All we can do is try to push for performances, wins, and push us in the right direction. I wish I could click my fingers and say we’ve done it. But we haven’t. We are way short of where we want to be. But that’s evident who comes to watch us. We need to put that right.”
Warne is right
With Derby expected to be fighting near the top of the table for promotion to the Championship this season, they have been below par.
They are sat in ninth position, five points off the playoff places.
It’s not hard for Warne, or anyone, to see that they have been below expectations. With the squad Derby possess, they should be doing a lot better.
This will almost be Warne’s problem, with there being more expectation on him, especially with his track record in this division.
Warne will be hoping to put the defeat right when they host Northampton Town at Pride Park on Tuesday night.