Derby County

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby commentator

Image source, Rex Features

Derby County's defeat at Luton Town on Friday evening was cruel but that is the game.

I've seen the Rams do that to so many teams over the 40 years I have been watching them, and when it happens to you it is no less gutting as it always has been.

Derby's second-half performance at Kenilworth Road is what should take everyone's attention.

They controlled the game away from home, scored a brilliant goal, and defended to the 90th minute.

Not scoring that second has hurt them on several occasions this season, and the Hatters' two deflected strikes - on a goal that hadn't been busy all evening- stopped the Rams from registering their second away win.

I saw Paul Warne today at Moor Farm. He has a new branded bobble hat so was in fine form. He is a realist and will not sugar-coat his answers.

The conversation steered through reflections on Friday, before assessing the threats of West Bromwich Albion. I apologised for telling him that Derby have a good record at home to the Baggies and then we addressed his plans for Christmas Day.

He said everyone has to do a run, video it, and stick it in the group chat as proof. I really think he is just the personal trainer I need come 1 January.

The supporters' reaction to Friday's result has been fair. Clearly, they are all upset by the manner of the defeat, but the sensible fans will see the effort that was put in and the misfortune of the goals conceded.

As we approach the halfway point of the season the Rams are improving, but need to score a second goal and kill teams off with better game management. But there is still plenty to be positive about.

Derby County head coach Paul Warne has given his side Christmas Day off with the pretence they send him a video of themselves running before midday.

Ahead of the Rams' Boxing Day clash with West Bromwich Albion, Warne said he trusted his players would not lose their discipline following their last-gasp defeat by Luton Town on Friday night.

"They'll all have to do a run on Christmas Day," Warne told BBC Radio Derby.

"They'll all have to video themselves on one part of it wishing everyone else a Merry Christmas - so, there will be like 25 videos flying into the WhatsApp group before midday.

"That's the only thing I expect from them and then I expect them to enjoy their day with their families.

"I think everyone's got a little bit more energy because you don't always eat a sausage wrapped in bacon but on Christmas Day it is very hard to turn it down, so I'm expecting a very energetic performance from the team."

Warne also confirmed his squad picked up no new injuries during Friday's defeat at Kenilworth Road.

"Kenzo [Goudmijn] was fatiguing a little bit, I thought Jerry [Yates] and Kayden [Jackson] had gassed out but there's no fresh injuries from the other day."

Luton Town will look to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat at Blackburn when they welcome Derby County for an important clash in the bottom half of the Championship on Friday evening.

Rob Edwards' side, who are 19th, have one one of their past five games (D1 L3) but are unbeaten in five at Kenilworth Road.

The Rams are 14th and ended a six-game winless streak (D3 L3) with an impressive 4-0 victory over Portsmouth last week, but could go 10th with a win ahead of the rest of the weekend's action.

• Luton Town have lost just one of their past five league games against Derby County (W3 D1), winning this exact fixture 1-0 when it was last played in February 2022.

• Derby County have lost each of their past three away league games against Luton Town, with each of those defeats coming via a different scoreline (1-0, 2-1 and 3-2).

• Luton have lost just one of their past nine home league games (W5 D3), keeping three clean sheets during that time and conceding multiple goals in just two of those matches.

• Derby have won just one of their 11 away league games during the 2024-25 season (D4 L6), scoring more than one goal in just two of those matches.

• Derby have scored 13 goals from set pieces situations in the Championship so far this season – the most of any side in the competition, while both the Rams and Luton have netted eight goals from corners this campaign, the joint-most in the second tier.

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County right-back Kane Wilson says his performance in the 4-0 win over Portsmouth last Friday was his best for the club so far.

The 24-year-old opened the scoring against Pompey to help the Rams on their way to a convincing victory at Pride Park last time out in the Championship.

"I think taking in the level in the Championship, it probably is [my best performance] to be fair," Wilson told BBC's Rams Daily podcast.

"Portsmouth are in a similar situation to us just coming up from League One so it was almost like a six-pointer in that sense.

"It was obviously an important game, which playing well in meant a lot to the fans and myself included.

"It probably was, in terms of everything, my best game."

Derby travel to Luton Town on Friday night and would move up to 10th with a win before the rest of the weekend's action.

Listen to Kane Wilson's full interview on the Rams Daily podcast on BBC Sounds.

Dominic Dietrich
Senior Sports Journalist, BBC Radio Derby

Image source, Rex Features

There was a relaxed feeling around Moor Farm as head coach Paul Warne moved from his club interview into the press conference room and greeted members of the media, despite the fact he knew he was going to be the bearer of bad news in the form of Eiran Cashin and his injury update.

Cashin suffered a twinge in the midweek draw at Burnley seemingly but was deemed fit enough to play on in the game and then start in Friday night's 4-0 victory over Portsmouth.

His evening was cut short though as his hamstring went again, this time there was no chance he could play on and now, according to the head coach, he will almost certainly miss out in the next three games while they await further news on a timeline.

The classic move in these scenarios is to balance out some bad news with a positive and Warne delivered that as he revealed defender Ryan Nyambe is ahead of schedule on his return from a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury.

The Derby boss expects him back in January when it was initially thought he could be out for as long as six months.

No doubt, last Friday night was a huge boost for Derby against Portsmouth but they go to a struggling Luton Town side now with the hope of backing that up and setting the tone as the curtain-raiser for another Championship weekend.

Hear every moment of Friday's game at Kenilworth Road on BBC Radio Derby, Sportscene from 18:00 GMT.

Image source, Rex Features

Paul Warne says Derby must aim to silence the Luton crowd on Friday night if they are to heap more woe on the struggling Hatters.

Rob Edwards side are just five points clear of the Championship relegation zone, having come down from the Premier League last season, five place below the Rams, who were promoted from League One.

Warne told BBC Radio Derby: "Rob is a brilliant coach, he's done excellent. Sometimes you have injuries or a little lack of form or confidence. Sometimes when you go down there is a little bit of a hangover.

"I've taken a team down before and it takes a lot of effort in the off season to get the balance right and get the lads motivated to play. I understand there is a pressure on Luton to win, as there is for Leeds, Sunderland, and all teams, really."

Luton have picked up 18 points from their 11 games at Kenilworth Road, but only four from 10 on the road.

"I think their home form has been really good, they've struggled away from home," Warne added. "But then again so have 85% of the league so there's nothing strange there.

"The games have all been really close, all fine margins. I don't think they're playing particularly bad, they have a few out and they probably haven't found their stride yet. If you take five or six of a side out any team is going to struggle.

"The crowd are such a big part in every away game in the Championship, more than most leagues I think. You have got to try and silence them early on.

"Luton is a tight pitch, the atmosphere is really good and it's a real storm if they get on top. We've got to really manage that. You've got to put the home team under pressure so that could help us if we start well."

Listen to the Rams Daily podcast here.

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby commentator

Image source, Rex Features

Derby County have shown elements of the performance against Portsmouth in many games this season - high tempo, pressing as a team and creating chances. The difference this time was the end product and consistency.

The Rams were electric in the first half and scored three excellent goals, enforced by individual skill and some generous defending.

Pride Park responded with a wall of sound while Pompey struggled. Kenzo Goudmijn's finest game in a Rams shirt was backed up by Ebou Adams controlling midfield and Kane Wilson running up and down the touchline like a man possessed.

We have talked about Derby's inability to find a simple pass on many occasions this season but in this game not one went astray. It was a complete performance against a Portsmouth team who have shipped a lot of goals, but had been four games unbeaten.

The manner of the Rams' performance will undoubtedly calm the sceptics who feel the head coach's time had run its course.

This was 'Warneball' at its finest and although you can only play the team in front of you, it is important you capitalise on your opponents' shortcomings.

After the highly criticised display at Leeds, they attacked Burnley and nearly won the game late on. Then when all eyes turned to Friday under the lights against Portsmouth, the Rams delivered.

It made the weekend enjoyable for those in black and white and now attention turns to Friday at Kenilworth Road when they take on Luton Town - why not head into Christmas with another three points?

"Don't worry, we've found the ball."

Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford tells the story of how then Derby County manager Steve McClaren reacted when he attempted 'the wobble ball' during an afternoon kick-off.

Listen to the full series of 'My Mate's A Footballer' on BBC Sounds

Image source, BBC Sport

Derby County welcome Portsmouth to Pride Park on Friday evening for an important clash in the battle to avoid relegation.

The Rams are without a win in six (D3 L3) and are currently 17th in the Championship, four points above the drop zone, following a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Burnley on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Pompey are in much-improved form with two wins and two draws in their past four matches, which has lifted them out of the bottom three on goal difference.

• Derby County are unbeaten across their past eight league games against Portsmouth (W3 D5), with each of the previous four encounters ending in a draw.

• Portsmouth have failed to win any of their past five away league games against Derby (D3 L2), since a 2-1 victory at Pride Park in November 2002.

• Derby are winless in their past four home league games (D2 L2) and could lose three in a row on home soil for the first time since October 2020 (run of five).

• Portsmouth have already conceded 20 goals in their first nine away league games this season (W1 D4 L4); Pompey last conceded more than 20 goals in their first 10 away league games of a season in 1999-00 in the second tier (24).

• Derby have won each of their past four home league games played on Fridays, while Portsmouth are unbeaten in their past eight away Friday league games (W3 D5).

Image source, Rex Features

Derby County head coach Paul Warne said he will make changes to the starting line-up for their Championship clash with Portsmouth on Friday night.

The Rams boss made five changes from the 2-0 defeat at Leeds for the trip to Burnley on Tuesday, which saw Derby come away with a hard-earned point.

With just another three-day turnaround, Warne said the coaching staff are "trying to manage people as well as we can".

"Obviously at times players don't want to be managed; they want to play every minute of every game," Warne told BBC's Rams Daily podcast.

"But it enables us to keep the team reasonably fresh by the changes we made, and it enables us again for tomorrow's game to make changes and start with a real fit group.

"That's what I'm pleased about the most with it, I think. We came out of it, got a point, and a really good vocal away following that we thank you for.

"We get a point, no injuries, and we go into a home game."

Warne also expects defender Eiran Cashin to be fit for the game against Pompey despite hinting at suffering with a hamstring issue at Turf Moor.

"He should be okay," Warne added. "He was a bit aware of something. He might have overdramatised it a little bit.

"If Cashin's injury had been worse, and he had to come off, they're always the things in the game you can't predict. But I'm hopeful that he might be able to play a part tomorrow night."

You can listen to Paul Warne's full pre-match press conference on BBC Sounds.

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby commentator

Image source, PA Media

Derby's draw at Burnley proved they can cut it against the big boys in the Championship.

The fallout from the supporters after the Leeds game was justified in parts, but the answer from Paul Warne in this match was total.

Burnley's home record was good. They had conceded just once at home in six games and were unbeaten.

The Rams' run of one win in 10 games was worrying - but the formula found to halt a slide of three straight defeats worked.

Fresh wing-back, a balanced midfield with Ebou Adams returning from suspension.

Jerry Yates having a partner up front in Dajaune Brown, and Liam Thompson's energy pushing him to be one of the Championship's most underrated players.

For all of Burnley's stepovers and quick transition, they found Jacob Widell Zetterstrom's hands defying them.

Adams and Eiran Cashin were immense in defending their goal, while Yates, Marcus Harness and Thompson could have snatched all three points for the Rams in the second half. And they would have deserved it.

Frustration is based on expectation.

Supporters have the belief that their team have a right to be up against these ex-Premier League sides and should have a go at them.

Derby did that and found a renewed sense of confidence that will take them into Friday's game against Portsmouth under the lights at Pride Park.

A night where everyone needs patience and that sprinkling of sugar.

Image source, PA Media

After a weekend where Derby were criticised for settling for damage control in their 2-0 defeat at Leeds United, midfielder Ebou Adams praised the Rams' response at Burnley.

Derby held the promotion-chasers to a goalless draw at Turf Moor, limiting the Clarets to very few opportunities on Tuesday night.

"Look, we can actually compete," Adams told BBC Radio Derby.

"These lot [Burnley] have just come from the Premier League and we've just gone toe-to-toe with them.

"We, I thought, had the best chance with Jerry Yates so I thought we've done really well."

Burnley keeper James Trafford denied Yates a second-half winner, with the Rams striker firing the rebound into the side netting.

But the draw ended Derby's three-game losing run and edged them up into 16th place in the Championship table.

"If we were a little bit more thorough with our passes then we could have got a goal," Adams added.

You can listen to the full post-match reaction on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

Derby County head coach Paul Warne has said midfielder David Ozoh's absence due to injury has left him frustrated ahead of his side's trip to Burnley on Tuesday.

Ozoh, 19, joined the Rams on a season-long loan from Crystal Palace this summer but has missed the last 14 league matches since hobbling off with a hamstring injury in the 1-0 win over Cardiff City three months ago.

And with Tuesday's match coming too soon for Ozoh to return to first-team action, Warne has made it no secret he has been left disappointed by the midfielder's continued absence.

"A couple of weeks ago, it felt like we were getting close, but he just isn't comfortable with where he's at," the 51-year-old told BBC Radio Derby.

"He isn't as close to the team as I was led to believe a couple of weeks ago - we're just a bit further behind the curve which is disappointing."

Ozoh impressed for the Rams at the beginning of the season, being a key part of the side which won three of their first five Championship fixtures.

Since then, Derby have won just two of their last 14 without the teenager, but an under-pressure Warne is adamant Ozoh won't be rushed back to the team until he's fully fit.

"If he's exposed to high speed, he just doesn't feel right so we have to manage it carefully," Warne said.

"Everyone is trying so hard to get him back but we've got to get him back right - there's no point in him playing 60 minutes and dropping out and I don't see him for three months.

"It's frustrating for everybody."

Derby County head coach Paul Warne has explained his comments following his side's 2-0 defeat at Leeds United on Saturday.

Goals from Joe Rodon and Max Wober saw the Rams go into half-time two goals down and Warne took criticism from some sections of the Rams faithful for admitting he had told his team not to go out and attack in the second half.

"Of course I understand [the criticism] - if I've paid for a ticket, I want my team to go for it guns a-blazing," Warne told BBC Radio Derby.

Warne's side have now lost their past three league games, and are on a run of five without a win before Tuesday's clash at high-flying Burnley, with the 51-year-old admitting he had wanted to limit the damage a heavy defeat may have caused.

"I am probably more honest than the average manager, and what I said to them at half-time was do not concede the next goal," he said.

"For 20 minutes, they're going to come at you just like they did in the first half, you're just going to have to weather the storm.

"Unfortunately, the only real thing that we created was a good chance off a set-piece.

"If Kane [Wilson] had scored it, it would have gone 2-1 with 15, 20 minutes to go, and the game plan would have looked great."

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby commentator

Image source, Rex Features

For 40 minutes at Elland Road, Derby County stuck to a game plan that was defensive and designed to nullify and frustrate Leeds United.

The hosts went to the top of the table with their 2-0 win, but it will be the manner of the Rams' submission to defeat that will annoy supporters.

Derby were set up not to get beaten five or six nil, even by boss Paul Warne's own admission.

After the Rams went 2-0 down at half-time you might have expected a rethink or change in tactic in the second half. This was not to be and was done purposely - 2-0 down, best not to make it six.

Nearly 3,000 fans made the trip in Storm Darragh for an early kick-off. At around £30 a ticket and the added travel costs, it is hard to believe that those who were there would just turn up and be happy with a backs-to-the-wall display just in case.

Paul Warne's post-match comments to BBC Radio Derby were alarming and some say defeatist. "We're a League One team with a sprinkling of sugar," he said.

Derby won the right to be a Championship club by finishing second in League One.

The playing squad maybe be weaker than some of the best, but the Rams are in the division and should be competing in every game.

If you set up a side not to get thrashed and then back it up by telling them they're League One players, they will be League One players.

By Warne suggesting there was nothing else anyone could think of that would have got Derby a point or even a win, you wonder if that is to be the mantra going forward.

Burnley will look to continue their push for promotion when they welcome Derby County to Turf Moor on Tuesday night.

The Clarets are unbeaten in their past six games (W4 D2) and also undefeated in nine home matches so far this season (W5 D4) following a 1-1 draw at home to Middlesbrough last time out.

The Rams have lost three on the bounce, with the most recent a 2-0 defeat at Leeds, and have won just once in their previous 10 matches (D5 L4).

• Burnley are unbeaten across their past 12 league games against Derby County (W9 D3) since a 1-0 loss in January 2007.

• Derby County have failed to win any of their past eight away league games against Burnley (D3 L5), conceding 2+ goals in six of those matches. The Rams have also failed to score on five of their past seven visits to Turf Moor.

• Burnley are unbeaten in their last 13 league meetings with newly promoted opponents (W9 D4) since a 2-0 defeat to Norwich in the Premier League in April 2022. At home, the Clarets last lost in the league to a promoted side in May 2021 against Leeds (0-4).

• Derby County have only won one of their past seven midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) games in the Championship (D1 L5), although that was their last such game away from home, beating Coventry in November.

• Burnley boss Scott Parker has only lost one of his four previous Championship games against Derby County as a manager (W2 D1), winning both such home games – 3-0 with Fulham in 2019-20 and 2-0 with Bournemouth in 2021-22.