Derby wobble worries Rowett

Posted Wednesday, March 07, 2018 by PA

Derby County boss Gary Rowett admitted his side are showing signs of anxiety after a 1-1 draw at QPR extended their winless run to six matches.

Andreas Weimann’s goal seven minutes before half-time looked like getting the Rams’ faltering promotion challenge back on track.

However, Massimo Luongo’s late header earned a deserved point for QPR.

Rowett said: “We looked a little bit nervous. We looked like the situation is just getting to us a tiny bit.

“But we got to a point where we could win the game and once again we don’t do our jobs properly.

“Again it’s a sickening blow but it’s one that unfortunately we’ve just got to take on our chin and go again.”

The manner of Rangers’ goal frustrated Rowett, whose team remain fifth in the Sky Bet Championship but are now just four points clear of seventh-placed Bristol City.

Luke Freeman delivered a left-wing free-kick and an unchallenged Luongo nodded home.

Rowett said: “You know against QPR they are going to put balls into your box at the likes of Matt Smith and I thought we dealt with that pretty well.

“We defended really well and looked like we were seeing the game out. It looked like we’d weathered everything we needed to weather.

“But unfortunately, in this game, if you switch off for a second, make a silly error and don’t pick someone up, that’s what happens.

“It’s happened to us too often. It’s no good doing your job for 86 minutes and then switching off for one second. That can cost you the win.

“It looked as though we were going to get that scruffy win we were waiting for.”

QPR manager Ian Holloway praised youngsters Paul Smyth and Ebere Eze, who impressed for the home side.

Smyth was lively throughout and fellow forward Eze caused Derby problems after coming on in the second half.

The pair are among a number of young players Rangers are keen to see establish themselves at Loftus Road.

“We’ve got that sprinkling of stardust that QPR fans like, and they’re young at the minute,” Holloway said.

“They’ve got to come through, believe in themselves and impose themselves and I think Smythy did that.

“Ebere looked like he could do that as well and he’s got to do that more and more because he can make the difference.

“We’ve got the last quarter of the season left and I’ve got some wonderfully talented young lads. They’ve got to learn the game.

“It’s about getting the balance right, because you can’t just hit Matt Smith. You’ve (also) got to work it into a ball player like Ebere – and it’s got to be a bit more pretty and beautiful to find a player like him.

“Some of these young lads have already shown they’ve got bundles of ability. It’s now about getting them to believe in it and win us some games and get some more points.

“All can I ask of them is to keep going and they’ve done that.”