Cocu: “We Played A Decent Game Against A Strong Side"

Phillip Cocu felt a point was a fair result as Derby County recorded a 1-1 draw at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.

The draw was Derby’s third in a row in the Sky Bet Championship following the recent 1-1 stalemates against Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City.

Derby led early on at the Vitality Stadium through Graeme Shinnie’s first goal of the season, but Rodrigo Riquelme's low strike earned the hosts a point late on.

Cocu’s side dominated in the first 45 minutes and got themselves into some excellent attacking areas to add to their lead, but the Cherries upped their game after the break and applied pressure on the Derby goal.

Lee Buchanan, however, nearly won it for the Rams as he had an effort cleared off the line as the points were shared on the South Coast.

“We started very well in the game and tried to press them,” Cocu told RamsTV. “I think we played a decent game against a strong side.

“We didn’t want to let them play and get a good start and, I have to say, we were excellent. We created two opportunities just by winning the ball in their half.

“The first-half was good with a lot of energy and we managed to get a goal. You know when the game progresses that they would pin us back for a time with the qualities that they have within the squad.

“We couldn’t break out as many times that we had in mind. It was tough when we conceded the goal, but the team kept going.

“It was an unbelievable block by their player of the shot from Lee Buchanan because I think he cleared it off the line from his face.

“We were close to getting a win, but I think it would have been a lot because they had some opportunities in the second half. We were close to getting the win, but a draw was fair.”

After recording three successive league draws, Cocu is keen to see his side take advantage of the back-to-back home games at Pride Park Stadium against Queens Park Rangers and Barnsley in the next week.

The two matches will conclude a busy period on the pitch before the November international break and the 50-year-old wants to go into the two-week gap without a fixture on a positive note.

Cocu said: “Now we have two home games coming up on Wednesday and Saturday and if we can get good results, then this is a valuable point for us.

“That is what I have told the players in the dressing room, so it is up to us what we do in the next two games against Queens Park Rangers and Barnsley.”

He added: “In the last couple of games we have shown we are heading in the right direction.

“The only thing missing is one or two wins and if we can get it, the unbeaten streak will get value.”