Clough: Beaten By The Better Side

Nigel Clough admitted that Derby were beaten by a better, more experienced side and a side that had clearly played as a unit for longer after our 2-0 defeat against Reading.

"We were beaten by a better side - a good all-round team, an experienced team that has been together a while.

"I thought once they got the first goal, that was it. They looked in command from that point.

"If we could have nicked one, it might have been a different story but Reading are a very, very capable side and caused us problems all evening."

Clough was pleased with the commitment of his players however and thought that we played some good football, if maybe not to the standard he would usually expect. He also reserved some praise for the returning Luke Varney.

"There was a lot of commitment and effort and some decent football at times but we were just not quite up to their standard.

"We were pleased with Luke, he looked sharp and fit.

"Ironically, he had probably the best chance for us at 2-0. He's been putting those in with his eyes closed in training."

Clough was talking to the Evening Telegraph.

This latest defeat leaves us still with slight doubts over our Championship safety, as mathematically we're not safe, but we should be ok, hopefully! Reading manager Steve Coppell felt we would be anyway and feels that there are good times ahead for us next season under Clough.

Get active! Have your say on this articles content below!

Free to play Fantasy Football Championship game: Click here for details. £5,000 in cash to be won!

For the very latest Championship odds

For massive weekly jackpots - Play the Football Pools Online




Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.