The Derby County boss lifted the lid on one tactical change that resulted in a defeat vs Stoke City.
Derby County’s woes on their travels continued as they lost 2-1 to Stoke City at the weekend.
The Rams were arguably undone by several refereeing decisions that went against them, but ultimately there is a clear trend of poor form away from Pride Park, with Derby County picking up just the two points.
Despite getting back onto level terms against Stoke City, the Rams were undone, and many have questioned the set-up that Paul Warne implemented on his side, especially in the second half.
The Derby County boss revealed that the game finished with a ‘frustrating’ conclusion in relation to the second Stoke City goal that led them to the win, and it was down to a major change he made to the side at the interval.
Paul Warne defends half-time Derby County tactical change
The Rams managed to get the game back on level terms in the second half following a calamity moment involving Stoke City goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, however a goal conceded from a corner late on proved to be the decisive moment in the Derby County loss.
Warne made a change at half-time with a hope of making his side sharper on the attack, and the Derby County boss has defended the decision after he said, via the Derby County website: “We had to make changes and went to a back three. I thought we were a bit braver in the second half.
“I appreciate it’s going to make us open at times, but you have to accept that when you need a goal and are chasing the game. I thought the lads’ effort levels in the second half merited a point.
“For us to lose on a goal like that was frustrating.”
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Paul Warne changes at half-time are justified due to key reason
For whatever reason, Derby County have been unable to replicate their brilliant performances at Pride Park for the games on their travels, and it is clear that something tactically isn’t quite working for Warne’s side.
The Rams have almost been overly-defensive when playing away from home, and they are very prone to inviting the pressure and waiting for an inevitable goal for the opposition, so the fact that Warne decided to throw caution to the wind is fully justified.
There needs to be plenty of experimentation from Warne’s side, and using the same formation and set-up would only uncover further issues for Derby County, so there needs to be a level of respect for the Rams boss as on another day, they could have ran out as winners.