Graeme Welch says he wants to see more improvements following the draw versus Sussex, and hinted that there could be changes to the squad for the trip to Essex.
Derbyshire secured a fourth successive draw of the new Specsavers County Championship season this week in the rain-affected match versus Sussex.
Still seeking their first win of the campaign, Welch has challenged his squad to show improvement for the away fixture at Essex, starting on Sunday.
Looking back on the draw with Sussex, Welch said: “I thought the openers played very well against some proper first-class bowling in the first innings.
“After lunch, we lost a few wickets in clusters again and only managed to get to 191. That total was never going to be enough, to be honest.
“We bowled really well at them for the first session and then the class of Ed Joyce wore us down over the two days. He got 250, played a great knock and left us in trouble again.
“We have managed to salvage a draw from that though but there is definitely room for improvement.
“We are concerned with the lack of wickets. You’ve got to understand that the pitches are a lot flatter than they have been previously.
“We are doing well for a couple of sessions but then it’s a combination of not getting enough runs and not bowling well enough that is hurting us.
“We are making it hard for ourselves with both bat and ball. I am sure we will be alright as there as some good cricketers in here.”
Welch singled out Shiv Thakor for praise after the all-rounder impressed with both bat and ball in the fixtures with Northamptonshire and Sussex.
“Shiv has worked really hard in the winter after we gave him some harsh words at the end of last year. He has knuckled down, he has improved and he is the shining light in this team at the moment.
“I think his knock against Northamptonshire last week and the spells he has bowled show that Shiv has come of age. I think he will be a very fine cricketer for years to come.”
Derbyshire are back in action on Sunday for the opening day of the four-day fixture with Essex, who currently top Division Two after four games.
Welch added: “We are now looking forward to going to Chelmsford and playing against Essex. There will be a few changes for that game.
“The NatWest T20 Blast is coming up so we need to try and split the squads a little bit because of the schedule we have.
“I think they get the message quite clear as to what I am after now. It is a good set of lads and I think a first win will kick-start the season.”
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