Post-Match Verdict: Warne 'Really Proud' Of Team Following Bristol Rovers Win

Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne was quick to state he was 'really proud' of his squad following the 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

The Rams looked to have had three points stolen from them in the dying minutes when ex-Derby striker Chris Martin headed home to cancel out an own-goal from Jack Hunt midway through the second half before forward Nathaniel Mendez-Laing fired in a last minute winner.

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

On the performance...

We had moments of good play in the first half but our final third entries were poor and there were a few players responsible for that. We got in good positions but didn't really force anything out of their goalkeeper. In the second half we changed our shape because I felt we needed someone up with Collo and we went to the back three and we got our goal and could have got a few more. We got the winner for everyone that stayed in the stadium, they firmly deserve that for keeping the team going.

Tyrese Fornah came on and was brilliant, setting up the winner, and I leave here really pleased with the lads. You have to win football games in different ways and to concede so late on and then come back and score again makes it feel like six points. It's a right boost for the lads and I'm really proud of them.

On the reaction following the equaliser...

I always felt that we had another goal in us and I'm really glad the lads didn't drop their heads. Bristol Rovers had their tails up but the fact our lads kept going and kept believing they could score a goal is great.

On Louie Sibley playing at left-back...

We had a few choices that could play left back today with Fozzy suspended but we wanted Sibs with the intention and way we wanted to play. He showed some really good moments today and I was really pleased with him, as I was with many. There were some really pleasing performances all round.

On Korey Smith and Max Bird coming off...

Korey had to come off with a bang to his knee. We'll see how he reacts when he wakes up tomorrow. Birdy took a hit to his head and he felt a bit blurry in his vision. We had to take him off and shuffle the pack but the lads that came on did enough to win the game.

On being in the top six...

You want to be as high as you can and once you're in the top six you need to push your way up the top six. We're not going to win every game between now and the end of the season and you don't want a bad result to drop you out. Getting in the top six is essential, we just haven't been consistent enough up to now so we need to improve on that. At our best today was outstanding and our lesser good play needs addressing. It's good to get a win, a win at home and it felt like the place was rocking at the end.