Derby County manager, Phillip Cocu, has stated that he feels 'ashamed' after the Rams produced a poor first-half performance at Brentford on Saturday.

Cocu's side were thrashed as the Bees scored three first-half goals to ensure victory over the Rams. This means that Derby have won just one of their opening six fixtures, that win came on the opening day against lowly Huddersfield.

It's been a tough start to the season for Cocu's side and he'll be hoping that the international break can offer some much needed time for improvements on the training ground.

The Rams face another tricky match in just under two weeks time when they take on Neil Warnock's Cardiff City at Pride Park.

Speaking to the Derby Telegraph, Cocu said: "I understand they are very disappointed. I don't blame them.

"You can play sometimes a bad game, or you have a very good opponent who has their best day. This is football.

"But they (the fans) see it - this is why I think we have to be ashamed of what we showed in the first 45 minutes.

"Then we showed improvement in the second half, which doesn't give us anything, except it confirms what we didn't do in the first half.

“I feel ashamed about our performance in the first half. I told the players that we cannot accept this, not for me, not for the club and especially not for the fans.

"We will need attitude even more now we are in a difficult position in the League. It’s not only about beautiful football, it’s a lot about character in the coming games."

The Verdict

It's good that Cocu is honest. It was a shameful defeat for Derby County and not what their supporters would have been expecting this season.

He has a lot to improve, but the defeat potentially comes at the best time for the Rams. An international break offers a chance to reflect and then react.

It's probably not the sort of game that Derby would have wanted after the short break. Warnock's sides are always tough and will be physically up for the challenge, Cocu will be hoping his side can match them.