Paul Warne has explained what really let Derby County down against Barnsley.
Derby County were eager to make it six games unbeaten this weekend and could have left themselves within touching distance of top spot.
However, a tough trip to promotion rivals Barnsley proved too much to handle, and a brace from Adam Phillips left them seven points adrift – while Bolton’s game in hand could drag them out of the automatic promotion spots.
It was the Rams’ second consecutive match without the injured James Collins, who is expected to be sidelined for ‘significant weeks’.
The striker has netted 18 goals in all competitions this term and his absence has left a gaping hole in their team, though Dwight Gayle was on hand to make his debut from the bench.
Instead, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has taken that number nine role and has so far struggled to replicate the performance of a goalscoring striker, while Paul Warne has admitted they now have no ‘natural rhythm’.
Speaking to Derbyshire Live after the game, the manager said: “It was a disappointing end. In the first half I didn’t think we were at our best. I didn’t think we showed enough character on the ball and credit to Barnsley they are a young side. The oldest player in their team was 29 and he was the goalkeeper.
“They had young athletic players and just came after us. They didn’t give us any time on the ball and if you have less time and don’t pick the pass early on you just give the ball away.
“But apart from a 30-yard screamer my goalkeeper didn’t have much to do. Defensively we were sound, but then you lose something going forward. That’s how it felt.
“Nat (Mendez-Laing) is not a natural nine and he is kindly playing there for us, but we didn’t have any natural rhythm to our game. In the second half we started to look good but they score from a set-piece which is horrific.
“But the lads gave everything they could right until the end. I can’t knock their character. But we didn’t create enough gilt-edged chances. It felt like a playoff game really and I think most people would agree a draw would have possibly been a fair result.”
How can Derby County cope without Collins?
James Collins was always going to be a huge loss when you are removing 15 league goals from your starting line-up, but Derby County don’t have to worry just yet.
Taking on Barnsley away from home was always going to be tough, but there is 12 games to go and the Rams haven’t lost their place in the top two just yet.
Dwight Gayle is likely to earn himself a place in the starting line-up soon and we can then hope to see the team mould around a natural striker once again, though he is going to have to get into the swing of things fairly quickly.