ROBERTS HAS TO BE SET FOR WAR DERBY PLAY-OFF DISASTERS
Cocu is backing in-form Wayne to banish Derby’s play-off jinx
NEIL WARNOCK will not gamble on Patrick Roberts’ fitness despite Middlesbrough’s predicament.
Boro’s defeat at Hull leaves them hovering above the drop zone and defeat at home to QPR tomorrow will plunge them further into trouble.
Warnock, 71, identified Manchester City loanee Roberts as Boro’s trump card in their fight for survival.
But the winger has only just returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines after damaging his hamstring.
And Warnock believes he must tread carefully even though the player was unhappy to be hauled off after an hour at Hull on Thursday.
“Patrick wanted to carry on but I just can’t risk it,” said the Boro boss. “After all his problems and the intensity of games, 60 minutes is probably enough.”
PHILLIP COCU hopes Wayne Rooney can give Derby the belief to finally end their play-off hoodoo.
The feeling is growing at Pride Park that the Rams can return to the Premier League for the first time since 2008.
But they have a miserable history of near-misses after losing in the play-offs four times in the last six seasons.
County have hit form at the ideal time with five straight Championship wins, and Rooney has been the key to their improvement.
The 34-year-old bagged his sixth goal for the club with a superb free-kick winner at Preston in midweek.
Now Rooney has Derby’s main rivals Nottingham
Championship: 3pm
Forest in his sights today. Boss Cocu, whose side are seventh, seven points behind Forest, said: “First you have to make sure you get in the play-offs. It won’t be easy to end up in the top six so that is the main goal.
“But the moment we reach the play-offs, that experience and momentum as a team could be an important part.
“Then we will see how we can use the experience of
SABRI LAMOUCHI reckons promotion will be won in his players’ heads as much as on the pitch.
His Nottingham Forest side have picked up seven points from a possible nine since the restart to remain in the thick of the play-off race.
But the Frenchman warned: “We must stay focused until the end. It’s about results, not performances.
“I’ve talked to the boys and said it was about being mentally right. They are ready, they are focused.”
NATHAN JONES has put his attacking philosophy on hold in a bid to save Luton.
The Hatters have conceded just twice in three games since the Welshman’s return to Kenilworth Road after shipping 71 goals in their first 37 matches this term.
Jones (right) remains unbeaten with his side buoyed by a 1-1 draw at leaders Leeds on Tuesday and they are now just four points from safety.
Jones said: “I’ve built a reputation as an attack-minded coach but if you want to win games in the Championship you have to be defensively sound. You can’t concede goals and expect to win games.” myself, the staff, and course Wayne Rooney.
“He is a great asset for our team.”
Cocu (above) had originally intended to play Rooney up front or in a No.10 role when he joined as a player-coach from MLS side DC United last year.
But the former England captain, record scorer for Manchester United, has instead excelled in a deep-lying
Championship: Tomorrow, 12 noon
of midfield role, from where he can spray passes and dictate play. Cocu added: “He was a key player who can make the difference at the top of the Premier League and national team.
“There are only a few of those players and he is one of them so we are extremely pleased to have him.
“In my first chats with him we were talking about playing him as a striker or a No.10. It was a surprise for both of us that he ended up playing like a holding midfielder. He does it so well with his vision and passing.
“He is really important in that position.
“Sometimes later in your career you can get another position and surprise yourself.”
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Championship: 3pm
DION SANDERSON admits his culinary skills could be better as he continues to progress on and off the field at Cardiff.
The right-back hopes his loan spell at the Championship club will help him achieve his dream of playing for boyhood club Wolves in the top flight.
Sanderson, 20, joined Wanderers at eight and has impressed at Cardiff since moving there in January.
“I found out I was going to Cardiff on very short notice,” he said. “I’m on my own here and I’m even cooking now which is beyond belief!
“Sometimes I’ve felt a bit sick after, but it’s helped me with my life skills and made me more independent.”