Rowett: Derby cannot get carried away
Derby boss Gary Rowett warned his side not to underestimate faltering Fulham after their play-off semi-final first-leg win.
Cameron Jerome’s header secured a 1-0 victory for the Rams ahead of Monday’s second leg at Craven Cottage.
Rowett 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.”