Post-Match Verdict: Warne - Performance 'Merited A Win'

Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne believes his side's performance in the 0-0 draw with Cambridge United in Sky Bet League One on Saturday afternoon 'merited a win.'

The Rams had a number of chances to find a breakthrough at Pride Park Stadium but were unable to do so.

Speaking to RamsTV after the match, Warne gave his verdict on the performance.

On the game itself...

I'm pretty frustrated. I thought we played really well and could have scored in the first minute of the game.

There wasn't a lot wrong with our play and we had loads of attacking play but in fairness to Mark Bonner and his team, they defended really well.

No team is going to come here and get their belly rubbed so I thought the lads played against it really well. However, it's goals that people turn up for and pay to watch and we created enough to handsomely win today - but we didn't take them.

We made some substitutions to try and change it but the ball just didn't fall for us in the box and that's what's disappointing, while I thought our attacking set-pieces were woeful.

In those tight games a set-piece can get you a goal and the afternoon takes a different pattern but our delivery from different players today wasn't at the level to win. On the whole I'm pleased with the performance but obviously disappointed not to win.

On the performance level...

We had a couple of really good chances in the first-half. I thought our two wide players caused real problems and there were some really good performances.

We limited them to very few chances so I haven't come in here angry. I've said to the lads that I understand they are going to make mistakes, I just want them to be positive.

I thought our play overall merited a win and like I have said already, Cambridge set up well and they will be happy with their point and worked really hard for it. He'll be happy with his point but it will feel to us that it's two points dropped.

On four games unbeaten in all competitions...

I came into this game fully confident and it feels like we've got the main men back from injury. Conor Hourihane will be back in training on Monday and he may be available for Tuesday at Blackpool.

Cambridge are doing as well as us for points, I just think that we didn't do enough to score a goal.

Joe Wildsmith only had a long distance shot to save all game so we limited them to very little. Unfortunately it wasn't to be and that's sometimes how football is.

On three clean-sheets in a row...

The unit is working well and it doesn't feel like we're going to concede so it's really pleasing on that but to win games you have to score and we go home feeling disappointed today.

The defenders are doing really well that are in the team and outside of that Sonny Bradley has trained really well as well so he's champing at the bit to get in the team.

Kane Wilson gives us excitement with his attacking play whereas Ryan Nyambe is a really strong defensive player.

On Callum Elder's injury...

Callum has had an operation on a hernia, it sounds horrendous but it isn't really.

He's been in a little bit of pain for the last couple of weeks and he felt like his performances were deteriorating so we took the opportunity to do the operation while we have lots of strength in depth.

On the tribute to Josh Vickers' late wife Laura on 31 minutes...

It was difficult but I'd like to thank everyone that was in the stadium today. The Cambridge United fans showed full respect too. I thought it was fitting, harrowing and sad but also a nice tribute.

Laura's family were here today to support Josh as well so it's been tough. It's just unfortunate we couldn't win for her today, that would have been the icing on the cake.

On Blackpool and Cheltenham Town coming up...

They are two tough games. Blackpool have been picking up points and Cheltenham have changed their manager recently.

If you don't pick wins up at home then it puts more pressure on the away form so hopefully we can perform in the next few games and turn draws into wins because if you're going to get promoted or be up and around it, draws aren't much good to you.