Derby County: Paul Warne already has dilemma involving Tom Barkhuizen and James Collins - View | OneFootball

The Rams struggled to create from open-play against Blackburn Rovers, and may have to bring Collins back into the team to help.

Derby County will have to adapt in their next league fixture against Middlesbrough, after an opening day drubbing against Blackburn Rovers.

The Rams were beaten 4-2 at Ewood Park last Friday, and scored both their goals from corner routines, with defenders Curtis Nelson and Kane Wilson finding the back of the net in the second-half.

Derby welcome Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough to Pride Park on Saturday at 12:30pm, with hopes that they can create more chances and defend better than they did against Blackburn, conceding four goals in a competitive game for the first time in 18 months, after Barnsley ran-out 4-1 winners in February 2023.

However, it was not just their defensive lapses that raised concerns for the fanbase, with Paul Warne's side lacking a credible threat up-front, bar a 25-minute revival shortly after half-time.

The 51-year-old will be hoping to see more from his team, as they make their first return to home league action since the Rams' final day promotion against Carlisle United in April.

Derby must bring 14-goal striker James Collins into starting XI

James Collins was rewarded for his impressive 2023/24 campaign with a new one-year contract in the summer, however, he could only make the bench at Ewood Park.

He entered the pitch in the 66th minute with the game poised at 1-1, but three quick goals from Blackburn took the game away from Derby, without allowing Collins to have an impact.

The Rams set up with three attackers for the majority of last season, with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Tom Barkuizen, Corey Blackett-Taylor and Wilson all providing width, while Collins played in the number nine role.

But, on Friday, Kayden Jackson played as the sole striker, with Barkuizen and Mendez-Laing out wide. Yet, the team lacked a target man, a position that Derby's14-goal forward from last year took up regularly.

Without this focal point, the Rams struggled to form their attacks, and when the ball was played out wide, there was a distinct lack of bodies in the box.

Re-introducing the 33-year-old into the starting XI may provide Warne with the balance that he did not have against Rovers.

Barkhuizen must make way after a disappointing performance

Although Derby are playing in a higher division, there were greater expectations of this team than what was shown on Friday evening.

Barkhuizen, 31, had a less than impressive return to the Championship, and lasted just over an hour, completing just 71.4% of his passes, touching the ball only 21 times.

He was denied from close-range by Aynsley Pears after Mendez-Laing caused confusion in the Blackburn box from a corner, but, with the Rovers 'keeper on top of him straight away, it was a tough chance to convert.

Nevertheless, the former Blackpool and Preston North End attacker does not have the pace that can be provided by Jackson on the wing, and if Collins does start, then Barkhuizen should be used as a substitute.

After a strong season in 2023/24, scoring six goals and assisting six times, the 31-year-old needs to prove to Warne that he can provide in the Championship once again.