Former Derby County boss Wayne Rooney has praised the Rams for one key aspect of their game.
The Rams were held to a 1-1 draw at Pride Park against Plymouth Argyle, which notably saw Jerry Yates bag an overhead kick goal in spectacular fashion.
After initially going up 1-0 courtesy of the goal from Yates, Paul Warne will likely reflect on the result as two points dropped at home against a side that had previously won just one point in seven games on their travels.
Aside from the result, which Rams fans won’t be too fond of, it was a homecoming for former Derby County player and manager Wayne Rooney, now main man at Plymouth Argyle.
The former Rams boss was full of praise for Derby County after the 1-1 draw, and he has even highlighted one key aspect in which Warne’s side are ‘the best in the league at’.
- READ MORE: Derby County fans left in awe of Jerry Yates after Plymouth Argyle, one thing is now clear
Derby County praised for set-pieces by former boss Wayne Rooney after Plymouth draw
The Rams have shown particular strength from set-pieces so far in the 2024/25 Championship season, and that is something that Plymouth Argyle boss Rooney spotted after Yates’ goal which came from a corner for the home side.
Derby County showed no real further threat from set-pieces from this moment, but they were still able to make it count at the decisive moment.
Rooney has praised this particular part of the Derby County side as he said, via BBC Sport: “It was a good professional performance after going a goal down so early on.
“Derby are the best in the league at set plays and we knew that. To concede so early on we knew it would be a tough game, but I thought we did well to get back into the game.
“We tried to play our way in and we got back into the game at 1-1. In the second half I thought we started OK and, in fairness to Derby, they switched to a back five and went a bit more aggressive and we didn’t deal with that as well as I would have liked.
“Then we had to show character to stay in the game to come away with a point. So in the end I’m pleased with the point.”
- READ MORE: Paul Warne singles out one ‘very good’ Derby County player out for praise after Plymouth Argyle draw
Paul Warne has purposefully built a side perfect for set-pieces
When looking at Rooney’s comments, there is no disrupting the fact that Derby County hold plenty of strength in regards to set-pieces, and that is ultimately sourced from Warne’s recruitment and the players he has acquired for his side.
The summer saw the likes of Yates, Nat Philips and David Ozoh join the side, all of which can make a significant difference from set-pieces due to their height, and they join the likes of Curtis Nelson and Eiran Cashin, who also provide this.
The Rams have taken advantage of that, and it is without a doubt crucial that Warne’s side can rely on set-pieces, especially when they aren’t on their top game.