Derby County manager Paul Warne believes his team is getting closer to the form he desires following their 2-1 home victory against Real Valladolid at Pride Park.
The Rams secured the win with goals from David Ozoh and Kane Wilson, which overturned Raul Moro’s earlier goal for the visitors.
Warne felt the match showed progress ahead of the Championship season opener against Blackburn Rovers on Friday night.
Warne commented, “It was positive, we finished without injuries, and we looked good at times. Playing against a possession-based team was beneficial, as it mirrors what we’ll face in the Championship this season.
“We focused on our shape for a few days, and we performed better than in the Barnsley game. Despite some fatigue, we looked improved, although we lacked sharpness up front. We countered well and defended effectively. There are still mistakes in our play, but perfection in football is unattainable.
“So, overall, I was pleased. We played well, made many changes to give everyone game time, and with Friday’s game approaching, we need to be fresh and ready.
“I appreciate the fans’ support. This season, there will be many times when we don’t have the ball, and we need to be prepared to counter and maintain good shape.
“95% of the time, the lads did that. At halftime, I emphasized being braver and more aggressive with the press, which improved in the second half.”
Warne recognizes that perfecting the pressing game is crucial for success in the challenging Championship environment. Consistent execution is key for a successful season.
He elaborated, “A full press can be risky against good teams, but being indecisive is worse. You’re either pressing or sitting off. In the first half, we weren’t fully pressing.
“We scored a couple of goals, avoided injuries, and won, so overall, I’m happy. The real tests start next week, but we’re entering with confidence. It will be tough, but there will be good games.
“I wasn’t too disappointed after the Chesterfield game; we missed early chances. Against Shrewsbury, our performance wasn’t great, but I understood why. We trained hard on Thursday, affecting Saturday’s game. I don’t overreact to single matches, focusing instead on building understanding and match fitness.
“I thought Ben Osborn, David Ozoh, and Kenzo Goudmijn performed well. David scoring was a highlight. It’s nice for fans to see the new players.
“It’s not perfect, but it felt more like us. We were hard to break down and dangerous on the counter, though not as dangerous as I’d prefer.
