‘Strangest thing’ – Paul Warne gives Derby County verdict after Wigan Athletic defeat
Paul Warne admitted Derby County were punished for two mistakes as they lost their League One opener against Wigan.
Derby succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at Pride Park where two goals from Charlie Wyke sealed victory for the visitors.
The Rams were architects of their own downfall as Wyke punished an error from Sonny Bradley to give the visitors the lead.
Craig Forsyth then levelled with a terrific volley, but Wyke scored the winner when Joe Wildsmith missed a cross.
Derby plugged away in search of an equaliser, but could not find a way through as they slipped to defeat.
Rams head coach Warne said: “I am disappointed because you obviously you want to put a performance on for the fans who think ‘ooh that looks a good team’ and the result obviously.
“We got neither. We didn’t have our best performance although it wasn’t horrendous. To lose at home is obviously disappointing because it’s the first game of the season whether it’s against an ex-Champ team or not.
“We just got punished for two mistakes. I am not saying they could not have scored another one because they probably could have.
“We just have to try to get a bit more control. It’s the strangest thing at times. When you switch the play out wide really quickly to the full-back to have an opportunity to cross, great. We caused loads of problems.
“But if it’s a slow build-up then you get it out wide you just need to try to manipulate it and I felt we rushed that bit.
“We didn’t create enough clear-cut chances, but that is respect to Wigan and how they defended and how they made it difficult.”
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Despite suffering heavy blows in the last two weeks, losing key players such as Jack Whatmough, Jamie McGrath and James McClean, the Latics travelled to Pride Park on Saturday and picked up all three points.
It was a hard-fought victory as Derby County bombarded the box with crosses from the flanks and had over 20 shots but Wigan were patient, picking the right moments to attack and taking their chances when they arose.
However, football in the EFL is a cold and unforgiving machine and Maloney’s men will need to be switched on to put League Two’s Wrexham to the sword tonight
“I don’t want to make too many changes, because it is a big game for us, and we want to go there to compete.”
One change that Maloney did confirm was that new signing Sean Clare will not be involved in the lineup that will take to the field at the Racecourse Ground:
“Sean Clare only did three or four days of training, after no real pre-season, before playing at Derby.
“I think it would be a big ask for him to go again, so we’re probably going to have to change the shape of the team.
Wigan Athletic face newly-promoted Northampton Town in League One on Saturday and so it’s no surprise that Maloney will be making changes to the team that snatched a win against Derby County.
The Latics are currently in a five-point deficit and so the gaffer will want to keep his squad fresh in order to earn those points back as quickly as possible, prioritising the league over the League Cup.
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