POST-MATCH INTERVIEW: ‘There's no time to be disappointed, we have to keep our heads high and attack the last three games’ - Clarke - Blog

Centre-back Matt Clarke says ‘there's no time to be disappointed’ and Derby County have to keep their belief after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Luton Town at Pride Park Stadium on Friday afternoon.

The Rams were relentless in their attack in the second half half but a slow start and a goal from Millenic Alli in the opening 45 minutes was enough to seal the three points for the visitors.

John Eustace’s men have three more games to secure their Championship status for next term, with a trip to the Hawthorns against West Bromwich Albion on Easter Monday (3pm kick-off).

Clarke spoke to RamsTV after the Easter Friday fixture before a sold out Pride Park.

On defeat against Luton Town…

I thought in the first half we weren't up to the levels we wanted to be and gave away the goal, which gave them something to hang on to. I thought the reaction after half-time was good and we created things in the second half, but it's disappointing to lose in that manner.

On the first half display not aligning with high standards set…

I'd say whenever you start a game like that, you're going to be frustrated and disappointed because that's not how you want to attack the game. You want to come out on the front foot. You want to put the opponent under pressure, especially here at home with a full house. You want to start in their half and try and dominate. For one reason or another, it didn't really happen in the first half, which has cost us at the end of the day.

I thought we applied a lot of pressure [in the second half] and we got touches in their box. We won the first and second balls and sustained attacks, but just couldn't turn that into a clear-cut chance or a goal. We threw everything at it, and there was much improvement in the second half. I suppose the damage was done, when you start like that.

On the mentality in the dressing room going into Monday’s clash with West Brom...

There's no time to be disappointed. You can't drop your head; you've just got to go again. It's all there for us. Yes, we wanted to win the game today and be in a better position in the league, but it's going to go down to the wire now. We've got to attack these last three matches.

Words: Hannah Walker