Rams told to keep it simple as they look to climb
WAYNE Rooney says Derby County need to keep things more simple as they look to climb off the bottom of the Championship.
The Rams have won only one of 11 League games this season and they have collected only six points ahead of today’s clash with Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
Derby’s poor form saw manager Phillip Cocu leave the club last weekend and Rooney is part of a four-man coaching team put in charge of first-team matters, along with specialist first-team coach Liam Rosenior, goalkeeper coach Shay Given and first-team development coach Justin Walker.
Asked what needed to change going into the next game, Rooney said: “First all the big thing we need to do and bring back for the players and bring back into our game is simplicity.
“I think sometimes you can over complicate things at times and that is not always great for players.
“Different messages and different teams, different line-ups, different ways of playing is not always the right way.
“Of course, when you are struggling and not winning games of football you are always thinking of different ideas of how you can get out of that run of form.
“I think the best way out of that is simplicity.
“I think in terms of getting the players ready, make things simple, don’t over complicate them with information which will frazzle heads. Let them do the simple things right and everything will fall into place.”
Rosenior agreed about the need for simplicity.
“I think simplicity is genius, sometimes,” he said. “For me, it doesn’t matter if we are top of the league or
“I think in terms of getting the players ready, make things simple, don’t over complicate them with information which will frazzle heads.” WAYNE ROONEY
bottom, I think your principles and key identities have to stay the same.
“First ambition is to win the game on Saturday. I know that is not the answer you want to hear. I have got a lot of experience in this league, we have got 35 games left, but if you focus on each game as it comes and
win games, you can very quickly move up the table.
“Our first ambition is to win away at Bristol and that is all we are focusing on at the moment.
“What I would say about that is we have sat down as a staff and discussed how we want to move forward. We have a plan and an identity, which I think is crucial. That is what we want to give this team in a very short space of time.
“We know we have got good players here, it is just finding the right philosophy and system to move this club forward in the short term.”
Rooney has been discussing where he is most effective in Derby’s team.
The 35-year-old Manchester United and England legend has filled a number of roles, up front and in midfield, since he joined the Rams as player-coach.
Asked what is his best position, Rooney said: “I have been fortunate I have played in different positions throughout my career.
“I can play a variety of positions and the best position for me is where can I affect the game most, how can I bring players into the game and how can I try to hurt the opposition.
“Of course, I can play number nine and then you are relying on service, relying on the ball coming into you.
“I have played as a number six at times, as a number eight at times.
“I think just by getting me on the ball and bringing players into the game and bringing some calmness into the team at this time will benefit the team.”