Pre-Match Thoughts: Warne Looks Ahead To Burton Clash

Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne believes that the margin for error is minimal in the final three games of the 2022/23 campaign.

The Rams know they may well need to take maximum points from their last three fixtures to secure a Sky Bet League One play-off place come May - but even that may not be enough.

Speaking to RamsTV ahead of Saturday's match with Burton Albion at Pride Park Stadium (3pm kick-off), with Derby unbeaten in four matches, Warne gave his pre-match thoughts.

On the win at Exeter City on Tuesday...

It was pleasing to get four points from two away games after the 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers on Saturday, although I'm still raging it wasn't six.

I thought we looked a bit nervy in the first half on Tuesdat but we were much better in the second half. The press was more aggressive and we created enough chances to win handsomely in the end.

Overall I was pleased and really proud of the group. In this league to play the amount of games the senior professionals have played is pretty impressive and it's credit to them as people and the medical and fitness team for keeping them all together.

On David McGoldrick's form...

He's a bit of a maverick. They are harder to manage as players because 60/70% of what Didzy does is unstoppable and 30% of what he does can be frustrating when he gives the ball away - however you need that part of him to do that. You can pick players that always go sideways or backwards but you need players that take risks and he's that player.

He's a real talent. I always knew he was a good bloke but I was amazed at just how much of a rounded bloke he was and how good he is with all the other players.

As a talent and the way he lives his life, the way he tries to help the younger lads is something to behold.

On Joe Wildsmith's displays in goal...

We're fortunate we've got Joe through the season playing all the games and he's been brilliant. He's surprised me to a certain extent because he's dealt with the physical and mental side brilliantly for his first full season in the team.

He's a great kid and I'm really pleased with him. His 'Gordon Banks save' on Tuesday kept us in the game in the first half against Exeter.

We talk at one end about Didzy's excellence getting the win but similarly the importance of that save in the first half is as great.

On the final three games...

It doesn't matter how I build the game up on Saturday, it's a game we need to win. I think we have in virtually every one we play now.

The preparation for this one is the same as every other game. The lads are well aware that there's either three matches left or at the most six. I think they got it midweek as well.

If we're good enough to get in the play-offs then great but if we're not, we're not.

We go into these games knowing they have to be as error free as they can be. If we get the press wrong once that could be the difference between success and failure - even goal difference could.

On Burton Albion...

From a player's point of view it makes zero difference that this is a game against a local side and my job is to make sure the players are in the right place.

The thing that makes a difference from the opposition's point of view is that they bring a big following and if they start the game well, they feel empowered by it.

I think this game will be intense because Burton have been in really good form since the turn of the year. They've had lots of change of players which has had a really positive effect.