Post-Match Verdict: Paul Warne Vs Exeter City (H)

Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne was left incredibly frustrated by his side's 'lacklustre' first-half performance in the 0-0 draw with Exeter City on Tuesday evening in Sky Bet League One.

Speaking to RamsTV following the final whistle, he discussed the game, the tactical changes at half-time and the ongoing injury troubles which are hampering his side.

On the performance...

I'm not too pleased, there's no point putting it any other way. I'm not going to slaughter players, I appreciate I'm the leader of the group - but I just feel really disappointed.

Our first-half performance was abhorrent, there's nothing I could say that was really good.

Out of possession we were poor, we were flimsy, we didn't put a tackle in, we didn't press and I told the lads so at half-time. I thought we were lucky to come in without conceding.

I don't want this to be a nice place to play, I want it to be a really difficult place to play.

The back four were excellent in the second half and we played with a lot more effort and intensity. If they play like we did second half and we lose then fair enough, I can accept it.

You can't afford to throw a half of football away because then it just keeps building. Our eagerness to score sort of ruined some of our play in the final third.

On the half-time changes...

I don't very often lose my temper but I did lose my temper a bit because it was so lacklustre.

We went with a back four and I thought they were really good and marshalled the team really well. Korey Smith played out of position at right-back as we haven't got any right-backs at the club and I thought he did really well.

It was much better in the second half but you shouldn't waste 45 minutes of your career because you don't know if you'll ever play again - that's how I see it.

On the injury troubles...

Jason Knight and Curtis Davies' were contact injuries so there's not much you can do about that. Tom Barkhuizen's is a tweak of his hamstring which surprised me because he wasn't sprinting or anything. Tonight, James Chester said he felt his calf which is a pity because we haven't done a lot of training.

We are at the bare bones and I joke about 'next man up' as it gives someone an opportunity and it will be again, but we're running out of men to put out there and it's a concern.