Paul Warne explains what caused deadline deals to fail as he issues Derby County transfer verdict
Paul Warne explains what caused deadline deals to fail as he issues Derby County transfer verdict
Warne revealed how two deadline day targets were pulled from Derby County’s
grasp after their parent clubs decided against the moves at the last minute.
Derby missed out on a striker and a winger as the deadline reached 11pm, but they did add Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong. Derby fans on social media reacted angrily to the failure to add to the attack, but explaining what happened ahead of Saturday’s Norwich City clash, Warne said a double deal fell through.
Asked if he felt let down, the Rams head coach said: “Not let down because I’m one of the lucky ones who sees what goes on. I would have liked obviously more power at the top of the pitch because we’re losing games, but we’re losing games by one goal.
“We’re not being outplayed I don’t think defensively, but in possession we just need to give ourselves more chances to score. That is inclusive of bringing players at the top end of the pitch so that’s my disappointment and I know they’re the hardest to get.
“I can’t give out names, but we did have a centre forward that was coming in and a wide player that was coming in,” he said. “It was all on, but at the last moment the club changes their mind, not our club, but their club. There is not much more we can do on that.
“I saw how much was going on. Everybody was in every day and the recruiters have actually lived here for over a week. But as soon as the window opens, as it always does, it’s not as as simplistic as people might think. You have your first target, your second target and your third target and then you just move down the line, everything’s easy. But it isn’t like that.
“I wasn’t the only one in this window trying to strengthen the top line. I don’t have a regret, but I would obviously have liked more. Every window is difficult. If you’re setting out to get a goalkeeper, it’s probably easy. If you’re setting out to get someone along the back line, it’s probably easier.
“The further up the pitch you go it isn’t. Some teams in this league have bought two million pounds strikers and then loaning them out six months later or getting them from the under-21s at Premier League clubs and then they go back.
“But I do think strengthening along the top line is the hardest. I’m pleased with the players that we have got, but we did need strengthening. I do agree with that. It was just disappointing that we didn’t get the targets that I think the squad needed and the fans would have enjoyed watching.”
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