No special treatment planned as Rams face Mitrovic
ROONEY’S MEN UP AGAINST THE DIVISION’S TOP SCORER
DERBY County not only face the Championship front runners at Craven Cottage tonight but also the division’s top scorer in Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Fulham have won their last seven matches, scoring 25 goals in the process, and Mitrovic has hit 11 goals in those games. He has 21 for Fulham already this season.
So how do Derby stop Mitrovic? “It is a good question,” said Rams boss Wayne Rooney.
“It is not going to be any special treatment, we have to just work together, make sure as midfield players we are screening, we are shuffling and being aggressive to get to the ball.
“The two centre-backs are experienced enough. They have played against players of his quality before, so they have to use all their experience, especially when the ball goes out wide because he is a big threat when it comes in the box.”
Rooney has been impressed with Fulham but also believes Derby can cause their opponents problems on the back of Sunday’s 3-2 victory over second-placed Bournemouth.
The three points against Bournemouth lifted Derby from minus three points to zero, having been deducted 21 points this season.
They sit bottom and face a mamoth task if they are to avoid dropping into League One next season.
“I know Fulham are sitting top of the league but they have probably been the best team this season. They
are aggressive, they have got the best striker in the League at the moment and they take chances, they score a lot of goals,” said Rooney.
“We know defensively we have to be at it, we have to try and deny them opportunities. They put a lot of crosses in the box and Aleksandar Mitrovic has great movement and he is brave, he puts his head on things.
“But we know if we go there and do the right things, we have a chance of winning. We are not going there to roll over or to try and nick a point. We know the position we are in and we have to win games, we have to go into games to get three points, and that is what we will be aiming to do.
“If we go there and we are passive and let Fulham move the ball and do what they want, it will be a long night for us. So we have to go there, be on the front foot, be aggressive. I feel if we do that we can create chances and also play our game and make it difficult for Fulham.
“They are all tough games in their own ways. Wherever you go it is a tough game for different reasons.
“I think Fulham have got a good balance, so we have to be aware because they can hurt you. As long as we are aware and keep our concentration, we will be in the game. We will be a difficult opponent for them to play against.”