Derby boss McClaren blames players after Brentford defeat

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Derby boss Steve McClaren criticised his side’s lack of composure after their injury-time defeat at Brentford.

The Rams led 1-0 at the break through Chris Martin but Andre Gray levelled just after half-time and Stuart Dallas drilled home to snatch the points.

McClaren was effusive in his praise of Brentford but less enamoured with his own team’s second-half display.

He said: “We were in control and playing well, got the goal but didn’t go on from that.

“We lost our composure. We stopped passing the ball and started running with it and getting caught in possession.

“We allowed Brentford back into a game we shouldn’t have. Once that happens it becomes a 50-50 game.

“Credit to Brentford, they kept working, pressing and playing football.

“We should have dug in for a point, we’d have been happy with that.”

McClaren refused to blame the defeat on the exertions of Tuesday night’s 5-2 League Cup win at Fulham and instead pointed to his own side’s inconsistency.

He said: “We’ve had a week of erratic performances, We didn’t play well against Wigan, we were superb against Fulham, we started well at Brentford but we allowed them back in.

“This is the Championship, you’re going to get that. We’ve got no excuses.”

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