Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne is looking forward to the 2023/24 Emirates FA Cup getting under way this weekend.
The Rams take on Sky Bet League Two promotion-chasers Crewe Alexandra away from home in the First Round on Sunday (2:45pm kick-off) and are looking to build on Tuesday's impressive 4-0 home victory over Northampton Town in League One.
Speaking to RamsTV on Friday morning, Warne reflected on the midweek win and looked ahead to another 'exciting' FA Cup campaign beginning.
On Tuesday evening's home win...
I was really pleased. Our out of possession stuff was really good and we got the ball back really quickly. The obvious difference is that we scored early and scoring early when you're on top really helps. It was a great game and a really good performance.
On Max Bird's performance...
You give yourself a much better chance to score goals if you're prepared to run into the box, which Max is getting better and better at. He gets in good positions to get the ball and he's got a good footballing brain.
On the break from league action...
I would rather play in the league because we want to get some back-to-back wins and get into that top six and see where it takes us. However, cups are exciting for different reasons though and nothing is much more exciting in world football than the FA Cup. Hopefully we will perform well on Sunday.
On how Derby are treating the FA Cup...
I'm not naïve enough to sit here and think we are going to win it, but I just think a good run is a positive thing. It's a good way to let other people play to a certain extent because we will go really strong with our side.
On his experience of playing at Crewe...
Dave Artell is one of my good friends and he was manager there for a number of years. I've always respected Crewe from afar and I know Lee Bell is doing really well there this year.
They have been brilliant on set-pieces this season and scored loads of goals.Their oldest player in the last game was only about 28. They are a very young team and as a club they always produce great talent.
I've had loads of good games there as a player, coach and manager but I've also had some good crackings as well!
On the injury front...
Callum Elder is a lot closer but probably not close enough to play a part this weekend. Other than that, it is as you were injury wise.
