Warne Outlines Strategy to Pressure Luton Early

Paul Warne stated that Derby’s objective for Friday night’s match is to quiet the Luton supporters in order to further disadvantage the struggling Hatters. Rob Edwards’ team is currently only five points above the Championship relegation zone, having been relegated from the Premier League last season, and sits five positions below the Rams, who were promoted from League One. Speaking to BBC Radio Derby, Warne commented: “Rob is a brilliant coach, he’s done excellent. Sometimes you have injuries or a little lack of form or confidence. Sometimes when you go down there is a little bit of a hangover. “He added, “I’ve taken a team down before and it takes a lot of effort in the off season to get the balance right and get the lads motivated to play. I understand there is a pressure on Luton to win, as there is for Leeds, Sunderland, and all teams, really.” Luton has accumulated 18 points from their 11 matches played at Kenilworth Road, yet only four points from 10 away games. Warne further remarked, “I think their home form has been really good, they’ve struggled away from home,” acknowledging, “But then again so have 85% of the league so there’s nothing strange there.” He continued, “The games have all been really close, all fine margins. I don’t think they’re playing particularly bad, they have a few out and they probably haven’t found their stride yet. If you take five or six of a side out any team is going to struggle.” He emphasized the significance of the crowd in Championship away fixtures, stating, “The crowd are such a big part in every away game in the Championship, more than most leagues I think. You have got to try and silence them early on. “Warne described Kenilworth Road, saying, “Luton is a tight pitch, the atmosphere is really good and it’s a real storm if they get on top. We’ve got to really manage that. You’ve got to put the home team under pressure so that could help us if we start well.”