Derby County: Swansea City catch stray dig as Paul Warne hails Sheffield Wednesday supporters | OneFootball

The Derby boss, when praising Wednesday fans, took a shot at the lack of away fans who turned up to watch the Swans defeat the Rams in midweek

Ahead of Sunday's clash between Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday, Rams boss Paul Warne has taken a subtle dig at his team's previous opponents Swansea City.

Warne says his Rams side are preparing for a great atmosphere inside Pride Park on Sunday afternoon, and has praised the travelling Wednesday fans for playing a part towards that.

However, in the same breath, Swansea City became the subject of a stray shot from the Derby boss. The Swans travelled to Pride Park through the week and overcame their hosts 2-1, but Warne was critical of the atmosphere inside the stadium - and laid the blame with the away side.

Derby County manager Paul Warne issues dig at Swansea City away support

Speaking to the media, former Rotherham United boss Warne lauded the blue and white half of the Steel City ahead of Sunday's clash.

It will be his 12th meeting in management against the Owls, who are expected to bring over 3000 fans to Derbyshire for the unorthodox 3pm kick-off on Sunday afternoon.

"I love it when the away team bring a lot because it makes our fans have someone to sing against," Warne said, per the Sheffield Star.

"Those games where the place is bouncing, with a win it's even better - it's utopia for all of us."

Surprisingly, the 51-year-old then went on to name-drop Swansea who, despite their midweek win away from home, he felt could have brought more fans to Pride Park and helped create a better atmosphere in the stadium.

"A midweek game where Swansea don't bring as many? It doesn't help the atmosphere," Warne added.

However, Warne admitted his side needed to put in performances on the pitch that warrant fans getting behind them, saying: "Our players have to give the fans something to cheer about, but hopefully we can start the game really well against a very good team."

Managerial needle will spice up mid-table battle between Derby and Swansea

To outsiders, Warne's dig at Swans fans may seem nothing more than petty and unnecessary. Bar possession, the Rams dominated their Welsh opponents on the statistics front but simply couldn't put the ball into the back of the net more than them, which is the most important matchday statistic of them all!

However, these sorts of comments by a manager are exactly what the Championship mid-table battle needs to make it even more exciting. There are not a lot of points separating Derby and Swansea, as well as the surrounding teams. The games will likely be tight and cagey, so all Warne is looking for is stadium atmospheres which match the importance of each clash.

Some of the Norwich-born former midfielder's most memorable managerial moments have come against Wednesday. This includes the six points the Millers took from the Owls, under his guidance, in the 2020/21 Championship season - a campaign which saw both sides eventually relegated. He therefore knows the significance of his opponents in Sunday's game and hopes the Derby fans will back him.