Pre-Match Thoughts: 'It's Another Opportunity For Us' - Warne

Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne wants his side to grasp the opportunity to create some breathing space in Sky Bet League One's top two when they head to Northampton Town on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

The Rams' meeting with the Cobblers at Sixfields Stadium is just one of three fixtures this weekend in League One and, with no near rivals in action, Warne says it's a chance for his side to pull further away from the chasing pack.

Speaking to RamsTV ahead of the fixture, Warne spoke about the run-in, previewed the game itself with seven matches remaining and gave an update on the squad's health.

On ensuring everyone is focused for the run-in...

Our focus is the same as the first day of pre-season. We treat every game the same, we prepare the same and every three points is as essential at the last. We'll keep everything pretty tranquil, we've still got a lot of points to play for and we're still trying to chase down Portsmouth above us.

On having a team to hunt down in Portsmouth...

I like the fact the lads have been winning in different ways. I didn't come away from the Bolton game thinking we have everything sussed, we weren't in the ascendancy for large periods of time. Bolton were really good and, looking back, a draw was probably a fair result. We need to be better and create more chances than we did when we face Northampton. It's good when you've got someone to chase down and it gives the lad some focus, but they've been good with keeping their feet on the ground, not getting too high or low and being consistent with their performances. We'll need another five or six wins, which isn't easy to do at any time of the year.

On making it four wins in a row last weekend...

It's good to hit form, but it's just good to win. Everybody is struggling to get back-to-back wins because you're playing different teams fighting for different things and it's all a little bit random. Getting back-to-back wins is good and obviously this weekend's game, being one of only three fixtures in the league, is a really good opportunity for us if we were to gain points.

On Northampton Town...

They will want to win. I love watching Northampton play and after they played us in October they went on a really good run. They will want to win at home. We'll take a good away following, so that always gives the home team a boost as well. They are really well coached and they will want to win. It's a tough time of the season, it makes it difficult to get back-to-back wins. I know that this game at the weekend will be as hard as Bolton was last week.

On the squad's health...

We've got a few knocks to deal with, and hopefully it won't be as poor as I think. The usual campaigners are fit and they are all desperate to do well this weekend. We've just got to get this game done, hopefully picking up points, and then having another week where we can get some bodies back.