Rooney so proud of his players’ resilience, Holloway can see hope for survival
DERBY County manager Wayne Rooney has praised the “resilience” of his players over the past fortnight.
Rooney’s side have taken seven points from four matches since the announcement was made on September 17 that the club would be appointing administrators.
Wins at Pride Park over Stoke City and Reading were followed by a 0-0 draw with Swansea City in the final match before this month’s international break.
The only blemish so far has been the 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United after Billy Sharp’s lastminute penalty handed them their only defeat in five Championship fixtures.
And Rooney was at pains to give credit to the way that his playing staff have conducted themselves during all the uncertainty around the club.
“Overall, with everything that has been going on around the club, I think the lads have been excellent,” he told Ramstv.
“They deserve a lot of credit and praise for their resilience for how they’ve handled things both on and off the pitch.
“I am pleased with how things are going in terms of the results we’re picking up and now we have the international break to get ready for the next games.”
The Rams return after the international break with a trip to Deepdale to face Preston North End on Saturday, October 16, which is followed by Luton Town’s visit to Pride Park on Tuesday, October 19.
Meanwhile, EFL pundit Ian Holloway believes the Rams can avoid relegation, although that depends on whether they suffer another points deduction from the EFL. They have already been docked 12 points for going into administration.
“If they get the second one (points penalty) I can’t see it,” Holloway told Football League World.
“If it’s only the first one, then I do believe they could do it.
“But if you do get that second
■Derby County’s away game against Cardiff City in the Championship on Saturday, December 18 will now kick off at 12.30pm. The match was scheduled to be played at 3pm but the Rams have accepted the Bluebirds’ request to bring the kick-off time forward.
one, then you’ve got to get some wins as quickly as you can to try and catch up.
“I think they’ve shown great character.
“It’s been going against them, they got a man sent off last weekend, they came back and won in midweek (against Reading). I think it’s tremendous, absolutely tremendous.”