- Defeat at Shrewsbury Town ended Derby County’s seven-match unbeaten run
- Fans were angry at the end and the onus fell on Conor Hourihane to face them
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Coming Up!’
Derby County captain Conor Hourihane confronted angry supporters as tensions soured following defeat at Shrewsbury Town.
A 1-0 defeat, courtesy of an own goal from Hourihane, ended the Rams’ seven-match unbeaten run, and also left them slumped 11th in League One.
Fans were left furious with manager Paul Warne’s tactics and some took their frustrations out on players, one of which was Hourihane.
In a video shared on X, the Irish midfielder can be seen confronting one fan after the final whistle.
‘It’s all for me?’ Hourihane asked. ‘I’m trying my best, we’re trying our best!’
Conor Hourihane pleaded with supporters after Derby were beaten 1-0 at Shrewsbury Town
Hourihane, wearing the captain’s armband, ensured fans that the team ‘are trying their best’
The video quickly went viral and has been viewed more than 700,000 times on the social media platform.
Many were quick to praise Hourihane for fronting up, but they suggested it should have been Warne that addressed the grievances of fans.
‘They are no more frustrated than me. This is my life,’ Warne said, when asked about the fans’ frustrations at the end.
‘I can understand why they are frustrated because they’ve seen their team play and do everything they can to win, but not win.’
Pressure is building on boss Paul Warne with Derby County slumped in 11th in League One
It was not lost on Hourihane’s team-mates that the atmosphere is turning sour among supporters ahead of Tuesday’s home clash against Exeter City.
‘We fully understand why there were grievances at the end. But I would just ask them to stick with us and stay positive,’ goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith said, as per Derbyshire Live.
‘We are working really hard every single day and we don’t take it lightly.’
Derby have won just five of their opening 12 league matches and find themselves 13 points adrift of league leaders Portsmouth.
