Paul Warne Explains Defensive Strategy After Leeds Match

Paul Warne, who has managed Derby County since September 2022, defended his team’s damage limitation strategy implemented during their match at Elland Road. He characterized Leeds United as a “Premier League team up against League One with sugar”. With his Derby side trailing 2-0 at halftime, Warne acknowledged that some supporters might have desired a more aggressive approach from his team. Speaking to BBC Radio Derby, he stated: “I understand why people would want you to go for it but the honest truth is that this is a very good team that made it very difficult for us when we had the ball.” He continued: “Every single one of their players was quicker than ours and apart from being tidy on the ball, I didn’t see how we were going to create a chance.” Warne added: “I know that sounds negative but that’s the truth. We are playing a Premier League team with a League One team with a bit of sugar on top.” He expressed pride in his players, saying: “The lads competed really well which I’m proud of. You just don’t want to be open and that brave that you get ripped apart.” Warne concluded by explaining: “I could have gone guns out, but if I stood here after a five or six nil defeat the damage in the dressing room could have been colossal.”