Paul Warne is happy that his side secured victory over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday but has fired a clear warning to his players.
Derby County are a team who are on a charge to League One promotion having moved four points clear of third in the automatic promotion places, with a packed-out Pride Park witnessing Kane Wilson’s winning goal against Bolton 12 minutes from time.
The Rams took a giant step to promotion by beating the Wanderers as a masterclass in set-pieces paid off but there is still so much work to be done in the last seven games.
Derby, who moved seven points clear of fourth place Peterborough United with that win, still have to play Portsmouth at the start of April and face tough away trips to Wycombe Wanderers and Cambridge United.
Although taking three points in the magnitude of Saturday’s match was huge, Warne knows there is still plenty of work to be done before he can celebrate his fourth promotion to the Championship and has now fired a clear warning to his players ahead of the run-in.
Paul Warne fires clear warning to Derby County players
Speaking to the Derby Telegraph following Saturday’s victory, Warne wants his side to be consistent with their results and doesn’t want his players to get complacent ahead of a monumental period.
“We can enjoy the win but, but we have to back it up,” Warne said. “I know Bolton have an international break. I told them before the game, when I knew the attendance was going to be so big, that they’ve created this. They’re not turning up to watch me or to have a really nice meal. They’re turning up because you’re a really good team and everyone is excited.
“We will see. I don’t know if it is big, big enough or too big? It’s no good thinking we have it sussed, because we haven’t. We have to play better in games. I wouldn’t want to be playing Bolton home and away in the play-offs if I could help it. We just have to wash ourselves down, reassess it and go again at the weekend.
“There are 21 points left to play for. Does it give you a good position in the league to get automatic promotion? Of course it does, but I don’t think it means anything more than a win. If feels good, it’s a win, but there’s seven games left. We’re always consistent with the lads – never too high, never too low, be consistent.”
Derby’s experience gives them the edge over promotion rivals
At this stage of the campaign, it’s so important to have experienced players to call upon and Derby have those in abundance.
In League One, the Rams boast the oldest squad of any other side with an average age of 27.9. Their players aren’t just older than the rest, they’re more wiser and crucially, they’ve been in these situations before.
Conor Hourihane helped get Aston Villa back into the top flight in 2019 through the playoffs while Dwight Gayle experienced a title-winning campaign with Newcastle United in 2017.
Derby showed their experience on Saturday and Warne demonstrated his tactical nous in a tight fixture to come out on top. The Rams must use that win as a springboard for consistency and having players in the dressing room, such as Hourihane, will help keep their younger stars on the straight and narrow.
A pivotal period awaits Derby as they aim to return to the Championship at the second time of asking and while quality in the final third will get them there, experience will carry them through.