If the Rams start to go forward, Rooney will deserve it
ARE we standing at the start of the week Derby County Football Club begin to edge forward again?
The Rams have been in administration for three months, during which the search for a new owner armed with a rescue package for the club has been ongoing.
Three separate bids have been submitted and the administrators could announce a preferred bidder before Christmas.
This would provide a glimmer of light at the end of a tunnel and a welcome light as we approach the end of a torrid year for the club.
There was the nerveshredding battle against relegation last season in which Derby escaped the drop into League One by the skin of their teeth. Their wretched form during the run-in, one win in 15, was relegation form but a 3-3 draw against Sheffield Wednesday in the final fixture, coupled with Rotherham United’s draw against Cardiff City, saw the Rams survive.
Relief, then, but the way ahead was clouded by uncertainty due to the club’s off-the-field problems, the breakdown in another potential takeover, disputes with the EFL and a transfer embargo.
Adminstration followed in September, a shattering blow, and with it came an automatic 12-point deduction before the Rams were hit by a further nine-point penalty for a breach of the EFL’S profitability and sustainability rules to leave them rock bottom of the Championship and in need of a football miracle if they are to stay up.
The summary of events highlights what a tough 12 months it has been for everybody connected with the club, especially the supporters, and also what a “welcome to management” it has been for Wayne Rooney.
No management manual nor any amount of courses could prepare a football manager for what Rooney has faced and continues to face, yet he has emerged in credit and as a leader in difficult circumstances.
Blows have rained down on the players, Rooney, his staff and the fans. The bond between them has been a strength and will need to remain so.
Part of Rooney’s role has been to remain positive and confident and to lift the players when necessary. His openness has been welcomed by fans – but how does he keep coming back from the knocks? “It is my job,” he said. “I know every day is a challenge but the players are making my job easier. They really are a joy to work with, they give everything every training session and we are all trying to improve – the players, me as manager – we are all trying to get better.
“I think for what the players have done this season they can certainly hold their heads high.”
Who picks Rooney up in this tough baptism in management?
“I know it might sound strange, but I am enjoying it,” he said.
“It is a challenge for me. As I have said previously, we will get through this and it will be an easier place to go into every day and work.
“I said we might have to take a step back, it’s a possibility of course, we know that, but the immediate challenge is to keep trying to pick up as many points and see where we end up. Hopefully, we can stay up. If we don’t, we hit the reset button and this club will move forward again.
“That is the challenge for me. I like a challenge and I am enjoying it.”
Derby might be short on wins this season – they have won only five of their 22 league games – but they have drawn 10 and lost seven. No team in the bottom half of the table has lost fewer matches and no team in the division has drawn more games than Derby.
The spirit and determination being displayed by the players in their uphill task deserves praise and Rooney has heaped praise on them and spoken of his pride in the manner in which they are facing the huge challenges.
“I’ve said it many times, but I think the players have been excellent,” Rooney told Ramstv last week.
“With all the issues we’ve seen going on around the club, their concentration, work ethic and commitment has been great.
“I am slightly frustrated at some of the games in which I feel our performances deserved more points. Even now,
there’s a few that still frustrate me but that’s football and we just have to focus on working hard and seeing where it takes us.”
The average number of points needed to stay up in the past five Championship campaigns has been 46. The average number in the past 10 seasons has been 45.
Derby have four points from 22 fixtures, meaning they need another 42 to reach 46, and that would take a rate of 1.75 points per game from the 24 they still have to play.
It is a challenge but the players are making my job easier. They really are a joy to work with.
Wayne Rooney