The job is far from done yet, boss Rowett warns Derby
Posted Saturday, May 12, 2018 by PA
Derby boss Gary Rowett warned the Rams against any early party after they grabbed the lead in their promotion play-off against faltering Fulham.
Cameron Jerome’s header secured a 1-0 victory in the first Sky Bet Championship play-off tie ahead of Monday’s second leg at Craven Cottage.
The striker, who has five goals in four games, continued his play-off pedigree after he helped fire Norwich to promotion three years ago by scoring in the semi-final and final.
But Rowett, who saw his side book their top-six spot on the final day of the season, urged the Rams to stay focused following their win at Pride Park on Friday.
He said: “We’re not getting carried away at all. I didn’t even let them have the music on afterwards because we need to be focused and recover.
“It’s a slim lead going into the second leg, but as we all know that can be cancelled out in a second.
“We defended really well, but Fulham fatigue you mentally because they have so much of the ball.
“But with the lack of possession we had, with some of our counter-attacks I was disappointed that we didn’t go forward and get a second at the end.
“We got it spot on, but it means nothing, we need to get it really spot on on Monday.”
It was the first time Fulham had failed to score since January as they were held at bay by the Rams’ excellent defensive display, with Curtis Davies outstanding.
Rowett added: “It’s not always about handling the pressure, it’s having the energy and maintaining the energy. To play with that discipline and to tactically get it right, I thought we did it really well.”
Having gone 23 games unbeaten and finished third, Fulham have now lost their last two games, after a final-day defeat at Birmingham, and they lacked the imagination to break Derby down.
Kevin McDonald struck the bar in the second half, but Ryan Sessegnon struggled to make an impact, with Aleksandar Mitrovic also nullified.
They must improve at Craven Cottage on Monday to avoid another play-off defeat after last season’s semi-final loss to Reading.
The Cottagers also missed out on automatic promotion this season on the final day, but boss Slavisa Jokanovic remained positive.
He said: “It’s not a bad result, it’s not the result we deserve, but it’s part of football.
“We dominated and they scored after one cross and Jerome scored a fantastic goal.
“We cannot be frustrated, we must be in some way confident having showed the quality and a great mentality.
“What we want to do is change the story and win the game on Monday.”
- Tag:
Photos
More»
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Brighton 0 - 4 Manchester City
Friday April 26 2024
Meet Jude Bellingham's stunning girlfriend Laura
Thursday April 25 2024
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Man Utd 4 - 2 Sheffield United
Thursday April 25 2024
Your Say