'We've got to put Luton under pressure early' - Warne

Paul Warne says Derby must aim to silence the Luton crowd on Friday night if they are to heap more woe on the struggling Hatters.

Rob Edwards side are just five points clear of the Championship relegation zone, having come down from the Premier League last season, five place below the Rams, who were promoted from League One.

Warne told BBC Radio Derby: "Rob is a brilliant coach, he's done excellent. Sometimes you have injuries or a little lack of form or confidence. Sometimes when you go down there is a little bit of a hangover.

"I've taken a team down before and it takes a lot of effort in the off season to get the balance right and get the lads motivated to play. I understand there is a pressure on Luton to win, as there is for Leeds, Sunderland, and all teams, really."

Luton have picked up 18 points from their 11 games at Kenilworth Road, but only four from 10 on the road.

"I think their home form has been really good, they've struggled away from home," Warne added. "But then again so have 85% of the league so there's nothing strange there.

"The games have all been really close, all fine margins. I don't think they're playing particularly bad, they have a few out and they probably haven't found their stride yet. If you take five or six of a side out any team is going to struggle.

"The crowd are such a big part in every away game in the Championship, more than most leagues I think. You have got to try and silence them early on.

"Luton is a tight pitch, the atmosphere is really good and it's a real storm if they get on top. We've got to really manage that. You've got to put the home team under pressure so that could help us if we start well."

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