Derby County manager Paul Warne on the pitch before the Sky Bet League One match at Oakwell, Barnsley.
Paul Warne felt a draw was “possibly” a fair result as Derby County slipped to defeat in their showdown against promotion rivals Barnsley this afternoon.
The Rams had taken the lead in the first half when Sonny Bradley scored his first goal for the club when he headed in Conor Hourihane’s corner. But Adam Phillips scored a rocket before the break and then put Barnsley ahead after the interval when he glanced in a corner at the near post.
Derby pushed hard for an equaliser in stoppage time, but could not fashion one meaningful chance. And reflecting on the game, Derby head coach Warne 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.”
What did you make of the game? Have your say in the comments section.
News Related-
Up to 40 Tory MPs ‘set to rebel’ if Sunak’s Rwanda plan doesn’t override ECHR
-
Country diary: A tale of three churches
-
Sunak woos business elite with royal welcome – but they seek certainty
-
Neil Robertson shocked by bad results but has a plan to turn things round
-
Tottenham interested in move to sign “fearless” £20m defender in January
-
Bill payers to stump up cost of £100m water usage campaign
-
Soccer-Venue renamed 'Christine Sinclair Place' for Canada soccer great's final game
-
Phil Taylor makes his pick for 2024 World Darts Championship winner
-
Soccer-Howe aims to boost Newcastle's momentum in PSG clash
-
Hamilton heads for hibernation with a word of warning
-
Carolina Panthers fire head coach Frank Reich after 1-10 start to the season
-
This exercise is critical for golfers. 4 tips to doing it right
-
One in three households with children 'will struggle to afford Christmas'
-
Biden apologised to Palestinian-Americans for questioning Gaza death toll, says report