Paul Warne has given his verdict on a red card for Leyton Orient in a game where Derby County cruised to victory, as reported by The Derby Telegraph.
Over the weekend, The Rams travelled to Brisbane Road in a bid to extend their winning run in League One to five in a row. They started as they meant to go on with Louie Sibley striking the ball from distance to give them a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute.
Orient’s misery was compounded in the 44th minute of the game, when referee David Rock adjudged Brandon Cooper to have elbowed James Collins in an off-the-ball incident.
“It was a sending off,” Warne told the Derby Telegraph. “I have the benefit of seeing it on the iPad and it probably was game-changing. I never like playing against 10 men because they have nothing to lose and are fighting for everything.”
The former Rotherham United boss’ concerns were likely eased shortly into the second half as Nathaniel Mendez-Laing doubled their lead, all but wrapping up the three points.
Tom Barkhuizen then rounded off a comfortable victory in the 79th minute, putting the game out of reach for Richie Wellens’ men.
The 50-year-old expressed his delight, particularly with the second-half performance. “They were playing it up to the big man. and getting in behind us slightly. We didn’t start great, but I thought we did okay after that. We didn’t get our eights on the ball enough in the first half for my liking. But in the second half, it was quite comfortable.”
Derby now have back-to-back home games before Christmas, against Wycombe Wanderers and Lincoln City, in a bid to solidify their place in the top six.
Writer’s View
On the red card, Paul Warne seems to have made the correct verdict. Cooper raised an elbow and it struck Collins right in front of the fourth official. There was very little chance he was getting away with it.
Fans will certainly be pleased with this upturn in form after an indifferent start to the season, however, the Derbyshire outfit now find themselves in a position many predicted them to be in before the season began.
