Paul Warne has finally looked to solve one glaring issue at Derby County in recent games.
Derby County managed to get back to winning ways at the weekend as they saw off Queens Park Rangers at Pride Park, with Curtis Nelson notably helping his side to victory with a brilliant headed goal.
Marcus Harness also managed to get his first goal for the club since he joined from newly-promoted Premier League outfit Ipswich Town, and his performance looks set to hand Rams boss Paul Warne further selection headache for upcoming games after the international break.
Whilst the individual performances were certainly up to scratch against a struggling QPR outfit, Warne also deserves credit for the home victory as he looked to rectify one issue that has ben ever-prominent in his reign, and the recent games have certainly proven to be a turning point that will certainly help the side to further success in the 2024/25 campaign.
Paul Warne has rectified Derby County substitution mistakes
The Rams managed to get themselves two goals ahead of the visitors after two squick successive goals courtesy of Nelson and Harness, and whilst Derby County looked to be sailing towards victory anyways, Warne made sure to set his side up perfectly as QPR were set to throw caution to the wind for the final 30 minutes.
The substitutions made by Warne helped Derby County maintain control in the game, especially with the defensive change involving Nat Phillips, who was utilised just informant of the defence, and looked very assured and commanding during his short spell, whilst Kane Wilson also offered necessary fresh legs at full-back.
On the attacking front, Corey Blackett-Taylor came on and once again looked very dynamic as he caused trouble in the flanks, and he has proven to be a real asset to the side as an impact sub.
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Consistency with substitutions will pick up several points for Derby County
As the Rams were up against lower opposition in the form of QPR, who have managed to get just one win in their opening nine games of the season, it was always likely that Derby County would see them off after scoring their two successive goals.
However, if Warne is able to implement similar changes to his side in future games, away from home in particular, then results will certainly pick up.
For example, the loss against Watford earlier on in the season was a prime example of Derby County setting up wrongly following an early goal courtesy of Ebou Adams, and the substitutions utilised by Warne were never going to sway the game, with him looking towards James Collins and Tom Barkhuizen to provide an attacking output.
It could be argued that Warne now has plenty more solid options at his disposal in comparison to whilst the summer transfer window was open, but it is equally relevant that the Derby County boss has learned from previous mistakes with making poor changes and succumbing to the threat of a top-level side.