Paul Warne has now issued a ‘very tough’ warning to his Derby County players ahead of their return to the Championship.
Derby County earned promotion to the Championship, finishing second behind title winners Portsmouth.
The Rams boasted the strongest defence in the division with just 37 goals conceded, recorded a club-record number of wins on their travels and scored the most substitute goals.
Their campaign was built from experience in vital situations and tactical nous from Paul Warne on top of some individual brilliance from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
In the end, their passage into the second tier was secured on the final day against Carlisle United, running out as 2-0 winners on Pride Park.
And whilst they’re now stepping up to a higher level with more talented opposition, including Leeds United and Burnley, Warne has issued one reason why League One is ‘tougher’ in one aspect.
Paul Warne explains one reason League One is ‘tougher’ than Championship
Warne has explained what was most challenging about coming up against League One teams each week.
He said how most teams in the division will play different styles compared to the Championship where there is a huge emphasis on dominating possession and slowing the tempo down.
The Derby boss believes this is harder to play against as while there’s more quality in the second tier, the styles teams play against are predictable, making it easier to decipher a tactic.
Speaking live on talkSPORT, Warne explained: “I think League One is very tough because there’s many different games within the sport, as in, it’s very difficult in the Championship for a different reason because the ability is right up there, the athleticism is right up there.
“But I think in the Championship, a lot of teams play very similar, there’s patterns to play, whereas in League One one week you could play a football match, the next week you’ve got a scrap.
“One week you’re playing on a pitch they won’t water and the grass is above your knees, the next you’re playing on a piece of glass. And that is why I find League One very difficult because when big teams are in the division fans get frustrated.”
The Championship is a different kettle of fish
There’s a reason Warne has been relegated each time he’s been in the Championship, albeit it was with Rotherham, but it still demonstrates the level of the task at hand for Derby.
The Rams will need to sacrifice possession at times as currently, they don’t have the quality of players to deploy a style that can see them dominate matches.
They do, however, have players who can hurt teams on the counter through the likes of Mendez-Laing and Corey Blackett-Taylor; quick, strong and direct talents who enjoy running at defences.
Warne has previously explained how he’d like to add more athleticism to his attack, too, as the Derby boss aims to improve on their threat in the final third, which saw them score the joint fewest goals in the top six.
Firepower is imperative for the Rams to stay up in 2024/25, especially after watching Birmingham City get relegated with 50 points.