Derby County manager Paul Warne has sent his midfield a message, saying they need to be ‘braver’ going forward.
The Rams return to League One football after the international break on Saturday afternoon when they face Shrewsbury Town away from home.
They have only lost one of their last eight games in the league, but have only scored 13 in that time. Warne has previously said that he would like the squad to improve in the attack.
Warne encourages midfield to shoot more
It also looks like he would like the midfield to chip in too, saying that he wants his midfield to be ‘braver’ when going forward.
“I pay the centre-backs to defend. I need the midfielders to be braver and you have to shoot,” Warne told the Derby Telegraph.
“I know that sounds ridiculous, but it feels like sometimes we are looking for the perfect opportunity. Be prepared to miss.
“If Tyreece John-Jules plays at the weekend, shoots from the edge of the box and hits the team bus then fine.
“But I would rather him shoot because I don’t want players who feel inhibited and don’t want to be the ones that miss.
“I know it sounds like I am contradicting myself. But to score more goals, you have to buy a ticket and buy as many as you can.
“There is not much wrong with our actual play, but if Tom Barkhuizen is coming inside and has the opportunity, shoot. Don’t look for something else.
“It’s just a general encouragement of look we need everybody to chip in with goals.”
Warne right about midfield
Goals is an area where Derby should be looking to improve, like Warne has said. As aforementioned, the Rams have only scored 13 in their last eight in the league.
Whilst that might not sound bad, to put it into perspective, seven of those came in two games.
Scoring six in six, especially when only losing one, is something that may end up catching up to them if they don’t improve it sooner rather than later.
Encouraging the midfielders to shoot more should hopefully help.