Steve McClaren urges Derby County to become more ruthless

Derby County boss Steve McClaren has urged his side to become more ruthless in their play despite beating Cardiff City 2-0 in the Championship on Saturday.

Chris Martin missed an early penalty for the Rams, but an own goal from Scott Malone handed McClaren's men the lead and they notched a second right before the break when Martin found the net from close range.

However, Derby were far from comfortable in the second half as the Bluebirds upped the ante, and their manager admits that they should have killed the game off earlier.

McClaren told reporters: "It was a professional performance and we won the game in the first half. Missing that penalty would have affected us a year ago, but not now with the maturity of this team. They kept competing and got the two goals.

"I told the players at half time to take it on and we had opportunities to get the third. But we got sloppy and too casual and should have scored again because anything can happen at 2-0.

"The second half we just saw the game out without imposing ourselves. It was disappointing. We should have pushed on but relied too much on the back four and Lee Grant."

McClaren's men are second in the Championship table following their victory, behind leaders Bournemouth only on goal difference.