Pre-Match Thoughts: 'Every Game Is Difficult' - Warne

Head Coach Paul Warne believes Derby County will have to be at their very best to get all three points from Cheltenham Town in their final Sky Bet League One fixture ahead of the October international break.

The Rams go into the game on a five game unbeaten run in all competitions whilst the Robins are yet to pick up a win in the league so far this season.

Warne has stressed that Derby would be very naive to go into the match expecting anything other than a difficult test.

Speaking to RamsTV, the Head Coach reflected on Tuesday evening's 3-1 victory at Blackpool and previewed Saturday's match.

On Tuesday evening's win...

I enjoyed it and enjoyed watching the team play. We conceded a late goal and they did have a chance at 2-1 to equalise so if we'd have conceded that and drawn, we'd have come away really disappointed.

Internally though, I was really pleased with the performance. All the goals were that end where the away fans were and it made everyone feel really part of it. The bench was really audible in the last 15 or 20 minutes cheering the lads on and it felt like a really good performance against a team that hadn't lost at home and will be up there come the end of the season.

On scoring more goals away from home than any side in the top four divisions...

Any good news is good news and any good stuff about the team is great. We're trying to get promoted and you have to be the best at a lot of things to get promoted. The more things you can tick along a way, the better. If we're scoring goals away from home then that's great. I don't think we've been far off in many matches and it's the moments that matter and we've probably had enough in a lot of away games to come out on top.

On Korey Smith's goal and performance...

I was really pleased with his performance and all of the lads really. I liked his goal because he won a header in the middle of the park, was on the ground and then got up to run to get into the box. If you're not in the box then you're never going to score. The fact he got all that way and caught the ball sweet as a nut is impressive.

The only thing he did wrong was his celebratory run! All of our fans were one side and he ran the other way but, apart from that, his performance deserved the goal and the accolades he got.

On the strength in depth in the squad...

I mentioned the bench and spoke about it a few times but I didn't even mention Josh Vickers on the bench who I think would be everybody's number one in this league and he's competing with Joe Wildsmith. It's definitely the strongest bench I've ever had. It comes with other challenges but I would rather have problems on 'who can I pick?' as opposed to 'who am I going to pick?' I try and get as many substitutes on as I can and if the bench is really strong then it gives you choice during the game for your tactics but also gives you the opportunity to rest the players that are starting and you know you aren't going to get a lesser product by changing it.

On Cheltenham Town...

I know their manager really well and he's a brilliant guy so I am aware how hard their players will fight for him and run for him. I have no doubt he will turn Cheltenham's fortunes around, I just need him to leave it for a week! People will think it's a nailed on that we will get an away win but that isn't how it ever is. We will have to fight for the right to get in their box as always and we will have to be at our very best to win any game.

Every match is difficult and if, in any way, we turn up thinking we have a divine right to win, then it's just naive. Luckily we go into it nearly fully fit with no new issues and we can do a little bit in the meeting room and a little bit on the grass today to keep us fresh for the weekend. If we have eight, nine or ten players on song then we are a difficult team to beat and hopefully that's what we will be like again.