Post-Match Verdict: Paul Warne Vs Portsmouth (A)

Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne was full of pride for his team as they made it five Sky Bet League One games unbeaten with a 0-0 draw away at Portsmouth on Friday night.

The Rams had the better of the chances in a tight affair at Fratton Park, with David McGoldrick hitting the bar in the first half, but ultimately the two cancelled each other out.

Speaking to RamsTV after the final whistle, Warne reflected on what could be an important point come the end of the campaign.

On the result...

I'm really proud of the lads. I think two months ago they may have lost that game so the determination to keep that clean sheet was impressive.

In the first-half we were really good and created a few chances going forward. It was an equal sort of game but in the second-half they had a 20 minute or so spell where they were in the ascendancy and we had to change the system.

I think the lads were fatigued, truth be told. I wish I could have come here with a fresh team and a few more options but the lads that played did really well.

Overall I'm really proud of the effort and we could have nicked it at the end and if that goes in then it's a really good away performance.

On the team's improvement...

You have to win the fight and if you are prepared to work harder than they opposition then you give yourself a much better chance to win.

Tonight, I don't think we were at our best from a healthy point of view but the attitude was spot on. The lads are determined to pick up points wherever they can and that point could be the point that sees you end the season well.

On restricting Portsmouth...

It's a difficult place to come. When I came here last time I got a right good clip with Rotherham United and I had a team that were flying.

We limited them to crosses and forced them out wide. Joe Wildsmith came for a couple which I'm buzzing with.

In the end they had a 20 minute spell where they were on top without creating a great deal when the fans were right behind them and then they lost their steam and we came into it a bit more.

Even if we'd have lost in the last minute, it wouldn't have detracted me from how proud I would have been from how much they were trying to do for the club.

I know I say it all the time - but wow, that away following on a Friday night was amazing. I hope everyone that came down here gets home safely and enjoyed the match for what it was. I thought we did enough to get a point.

On the unbeaten run...

The lads are getting the messages better which I feel are just trickling in. I like to think they have trust in what we are telling them,, so they have got three days off now to get away from our voices, rest up and come back in Tuesday to prepare for an FA Cup game at Newport County next Sunday.

On Haydon Roberts and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing...

Haydon tweaked his hamstring early in the game against Torquay the other night. We rested Nat, but he trained the next day and he did a run and felt his hamstring tweak. He looks like he'll be out for two, three or maybe more weeks because he's definitely damaged his hamstring. It's a blow but we just have to find another way to play.