Rowett admits stuttering Derby are feeling nervous

Embed from Getty Images

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.

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