POST-MATCH REACTION: Clarke and Morris react to Charlton draw

Derby County pair Matt Clarke and Carlton Morris offered their immediate post-match thoughts after the 1-1 draw at home to Charlton Athletic on Tuesday night.

Defender Clarke scored the Rams’ equaliser with 11 minutes of normal time remaining, rising highest to head in a cross from captain Lewis Travis to earn a share of the spoils at Pride Park Stadium and cancel out James Bree’s first half opener for the Addicks.

The draw means John Eustace’s side have registered four draws from their opening eight games of the 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship season, alongside the 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion and defeats against Stoke City, Coventry City and Preston North End.

Two of the losses came in Derby’s first two outings of the campaign, meaning they have lost once in their last six league games.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the final whistle, Clarke and Morris believe the Rams are making gentle steps in the right direction - but admitted the side need to start turning their draws into wins.

Clarke, who was named as the Sky Bet Player of the Match, said: “In the first half it didn’t feel like there was too much in the game, but we were obviously disappointed with the goal that we conceded.

“We wanted a reaction and there were a lot of pleasing things in the second half. We kept going and got the point.

“With a squad overhaul we’ve had, there always has got to be an element of patience to gel and get those new connections. We know it isn’t an excuse and we need to be better in the here and now, but we feel we’re moving in the right direction.”

He added: “We aren’t losing games that often, but we have got to take that next step. We’ve got another chance on Saturday against Southampton to go into the international break with some momentum.”

Striker Morris, who has started all eight of the Rams’ league fixtures this term, said: “I think Clarkey got about three people out the way to get that header on target and score.

“I think it (the goal) was coming. The performance was there at times. We created a lot and enough chances to win the game in my opinion.

“I am glad we got the goal and that will be massive for us going forward. We know Rome wasn’t built in a day and we have a great group of lads with plenty of character.

“I’ve been involved in teams where you can go 1-0 down at home and you can crumble, where characters fall by the wayside a bit, but we stepped up.”

Derby will return to action at Pride Park Stadium against Southampton on Saturday in their final fixture before the October international break (3pm kick-off).