Paul Warne has laid down a challenge for his Derby County players ahead of their crunch match against Portsmouth tonight.
Derby County travel to Fratton Park tonight for arguably their toughest match this term. Portsmouth are the runaway leaders in League One, establishing a five-point cushion at the top with a game in hand.
Paul Warne‘s men can slice that gap to just two points with a victory this evening, perhaps giving them an outside chance of winning the title.
Portsmouth is statistically the toughest place to go in the third tier, with John Mousinho’s side taking the most points per game (2.26) at home having lost just twice in 19 matches.
Despite the uphill battle that the Rams face to glean maximum points, Warne has laid down a challenge for his Derby players, instilling a mentality into his squad that supporters will like to see.
Paul Warne reveals challenge to Derby County players
During this campaign, Derby have drawn the fewest games (6) in League One.
Warne has become known for rolling the dice late on to win a match as demonstrated by the fact that Derby have scored more substitute goals than any other side in the third tier.
It’s a mentality that has given the Rams many extra points in the quest for promotion, and despite approaching a pivotal period, Warne has revealed his mentality won’t change as he’d rather risk one point to go for all three instead.
“It’s a mentality to be relentless and go for wins,” Warne told Derby’s official website. “I’m not saying it’s right or wrong but if we’re drawing, I’d rather risk the one point and go for three than keep the one.
“If you believe in your team, then the risk is worth taking. Realistically, in every league, the two top teams will likely score the most goals and concede the least. Sometimes, and I include us in this, you get the lucky bounce and it all inspires victory.”
Derby County should believe they can beat Portsmouth
A tough assignment awaits Warne and his players tonight, but they should believe they can beat Portsmouth.
The three-time promotion winner with Rotherham United has drilled a positive mentality into his players, making them believe they can beat anyone.
If the game is hanging finely in the balance late on, it’s refreshing to see that Warne will roll the dice and go for it instead of resting on his laurels.
He knows that taking one point from Fratton Park, although strengthens their grip on second place, it doesn’t get them any closer to the hosts.
Warne has already laid down a marker of his title ambitions to the Derby players and while it looks like a difficult task to dethrone the league leaders, a win tonight would give them every chance of beating Pompey to the punch.
The post ‘If you believe…’: Paul Warne shares the ‘risk’ his Derby County squad must now take v Portsmouth appeared first on Derby County News.