Justin Walker felt that his Under-18s side’s performance in the first half against Everton was costly, as Derby County fell to a 2-1 defeat.
The Toffees took a two-goal lead before half time with Anthony Gordon and Manasse Mampala both scoring in the space of two minutes.
The Rams pulled a goal back shortly after the restart, with substitute Henry Wise volleying in Jason Knight’s cross at the back post.
Derby came close to levelling the match on several occasions in the second half, but a strong first half performance from the visitors proved to be too much for Walker’s and Rory Delap’s side.
After going into the interval two goals behind, Walker said that he and the players were very disappointed with their performance.
He told dcfc.co.uk: “We were very disappointed at half time I have to say.
“I don’t think we started that well during the game in the first half, it was unlike us, but it is the first game of the new year and it’s one of those where we just didn’t do the basics well enough.
“This team has got character and every single one of them will be disappointed in the dressing room about today and in some ways, it is probably a good thing that has happened to us early in the new year and a reminder that we have to do the basics really well and maintain our own standards and take that in to the second half of the season.”
The defeat for the Under 18s was their first in all competitions since September and only their second of the season, a run that lasted for 11 matches.
Walker said that despite losing, it does not overshadow what the side have achieved so far in this campaign.
“No one is taking away the positives from what has been achieved over the course of the last four or five months”, added Walker.
“But at the end of the day, it’s one game and I’m more bothered about the development of each individual in our team and more bothered about the performance levels that we are putting on.
“The first half was not good enough, but there were some positives to take from the game and we will look forward to next week.”
Walker’s and Delap’s side will now turn their attentions to the FA Youth Cup where they will face Norwich City at Carrow Road on Friday evening.
The Rams reached the Fourth Round after defeating Manchester United via a penalty shootout last month and Walker feels that the Canaries will be another difficult opponent for his team.
He said: “It’s another great challenge for us, it will be a tough game.
“Norwich have a good reputation in youth football and actually won the competition in 2013.
“It will be a tough test, but one we are looking forward to.”
Words by Jonty Colman
