'Rams not sleepwalking into relegation' - Warne
Boss Paul Warne insists Derby County "are not sleepwalking into a relegation" after the Rams' 2-0 defeat by Watford left them just one point above the Championship drop zone.
The loss was Derby's fifth in a row, including their FA Cup loss to League One side Leyton Orient on penalties earlier in the week.
It also means the Rams, who have won only two of their past 13 league games, have now collected just nine points from the 39 available since 9 November.
Warne acknowledged "the frustration" of fans as they booed him and his side at full-time in Saturday's loss, but said he is "really confident" that things can be turned around.
"We spoke in the dressing room about us all keeping close together first and foremost and being honest," he told BBC Radio Derby.
"I don't think we are sleepwalking into a relegation, we are well aware of how the other results go and one win in six obviously isn't good enough.
"I completely understand everyone's frustrations, (but) there's a lot of hope with this squad, a lot of expectation to a certain level, and they are an exciting group.
"At times we were still exciting but, from the first to 95th minute, we just weren't good enough to win a football game."
Warne guided Derby to promotion from League One last season, a feat he also achieved three times previously as Rotherham boss.
But he has never managed to keep a side in the Championship, have suffered relegation three times while in charge of the Millers.
Warne has rued the lack of strength and depth in his attack this season and, after the Rams hit the woodwork three times in between Imran Louza and Edo Kayembe's goals for Watford, he again said his side needs to be more clinical.
Derby signed Norwegian striker Lars-Jorgen Salvesen from Viking during the week, but he was not included in the squad as the Rams failed to score for the third time in four Championship games.
"We are struggling to score goals," Warne said.
"I don't think anyone leaves here and says at 1-0 we just came out after half-time and had our belly rubbed and we give up.
"That wasn't the case, the lads are giving everything they can to try get in the game and the longer the game goes on the more vulnerable you are to the counter attack.
"So look, I don't leave fully depressed - I leave disappointed, obviously, and I look forward to the next challenge and my job is to get the lads back at it as best we can."
Derby are back at home against on Tuesday to face promotion-chasing Sunderland.
