Paul Warne: That was the best Derby performance I’ve seen as manager

Posted Sunday, September 01, 2024 by PA

Paul Warne felt Derby’s performance against Bristol City was the best in his time as the club’s manager

Warne saw his side deliver an energetic and clinical display that ended City’s unbeaten start to the Championship campaign.

Kenzo Goudmijn, Kayden Jackson and David Ozoh all scored in the Rams’ 3-0 victory.

And Warne said: “I’m really proud. It was the best Derby performance I’ve seen since I’ve been here.

“I know scorelines can flatter sometimes but we created a lot of good chances and it just felt more like my team than ever.

“We had pace up top, a work ethic throughout the team and when called upon the keeper pulled a save off or came for a cross and someone got a block in.

“The lads were excellent today and limited a very good Bristol City team to a few chances but fortunately for us we put our ones away.

“I was really pleased and even if they had scored two goals in the last two minutes and we hadn’t taken the third and we hadn’t won the game I would still have been buzzing with the performance.

“I’m saying it tongue in cheek but if I never manage here again that’s the best way to do it because that is how I want my teams to play. There was so much I loved today.”

City head coach Liam Manning said: “I thought first half we started well, arguably could have been ahead before Derby scored.

“Performance wise first half I thought there were some good things, some positive things, we created chances, maybe could have been a bit braver with the ball. But second half just wasn’t good enough.

“That just wasn’t us, that’s probably the frustrating thing. It felt a little bit second half that we just disconnected and made some crazy decisions. I think it’s one that we have to learn from, me included,

“I look at myself and my performance today, it’s just not me talking about the players. The performance in the first three games have created such a buzz, externally and internally, but when you’re up against it, and it’s not an easy place to come, you have to stay focused and play with discipline.

“We just forced things a bit too much in the second half rather than be patient. I thought we were a bit too rushed on the ball.”