Derby must change style of play to survive - Christie

Former Derby County striker Malcolm Christie has said the Rams must change the way they play if they are to get out of relegation trouble.

Christie was speaking following the 2-1 defeat at Cardiff City on Saturday, his old club's sixth successive Championship defeat.

"Its something that I've said - I'm not just jumping on the bandwagon because we're not getting the results. It has felt a little bit predictable," Christie told BBC Radio Derby.

"I've said it for so long about this Rams team - they have to be so much better in possession with a slightly different style of play."

Having started every league game he has been available for this season, Jerry Yates - who has scored six league goals - was also called into question by Christie.

"Direct from crosses, Jerry Yates has scored one goal direct, and that was a deflected cross," the 45-year-old said.

"Why were we playing that way, being so one-dimensional, when you have Jerry Yates as your number nine?

"That is my big bugbear and that's why I wanted to see a different style of play and a different way that we approach games with the creativity that we have - playing through central areas rather than playing out wide because it hasn't worked.

"I saw some signs on Saturday that playing two up front with [Lars-Jorgen] Salvesen up there could be better."