Defensive duo crucial as Rooney’s Rams try to close gap
EXPERIENCED PAIR ARE BOTH READY FOR TOUGH BATTLE
CURTIS Davies at 36 has played every minute of Derby County’s 22 League fixtures this season. Phil Jagielka, who is 39, has played every minute of 18. Their experience on the pitch and influence around the squad has been huge.
“Curtis and Jags, to be fair to them they have been rock solid for us, they are using all of their experience for us,” said manager Wayne Rooney.
“At times they probably won’t like the things I am asking them to do,” he added.
“I am asking them to push up the pitch. Of course, they have played a lot of games, they are older players and the natural thing to do is to drop but I want them to be aggressive, I want my goalkeeper to start higher and them in a higher starting position, and they have been crucial to us.”
Derby are facing a mammoth task to avoid relegation.
They have been deducted a total of 21 points this season and that has left them bottom of the Championship on four points.
The gap currently between themselves and safety is 17 points. Reading sit just above the drop zone on 21 points while Peterborough United are 22nd on 19 points and Barnsley 23rd on 14. Both Posh and Barnsley have played a game more than Derby.
The Rams’ game against Cardiff City on Saturday was postponed due to Covid outbreaks but they did win their most recent match, beating Blackpool 1-0 at Pride Park Stadium courtesy of Luke Plange’s first senior goal.
“It (the win against Blackpool) takes us one step closer to Barnsley, who are our first targets. That’s all we’ve got to keep doing, playing as we know we can play, getting wins on the board and start knocking off one team at a time. Come the end of the season, hopefully, it’s enough but ultimately it won’t be for want of trying,” Davies told the Totally Football League Show podcast.
Jagielka believes the Rams need to set themselves little goals and take each game as it comes.
“We have got to get to double figures as quick as possible,” he said.
“For us to put any pressure on teams above us, we know we need to be in double figures and crack on. It’s not going to be easy because it’s a tough league, it is possible but it’s going to be tough.”
Davies and Jagielka have played significant roles as Derby boast one of the best defensive records in the division despite finding themselves rock bottom.
The Rams have conceded 21 goals in their 22 League games and only the top two two, Fulham (18) and Bournemouth (20), and fourthplaced West Bromwich Albion (17) have conceded fewer.
Striker Sam Baldock could be back in the frame for the Rams for their scheduled return to action against the Baggies at Pride Park Stadium on Monday, December 27.
He has not played since the home win against Bournemouth on November 21 due to a hamstring injury but Rooney said: “He has trained, he was a possibility to be on the bench had the game at Cardiff gone ahead, so we are pleased with his progress.”
Full-back Lee Buchanan could return in the middle of January, while midfielder Krystian Bielik continues to make progress.
When asked about Buchanan, Rooney said: “He is on track, probably looking at mid-january before Lee gets back as part of the squad.
“Krystian is also on track. Probably looking at around Christmas time to be back participating in parts of the training sessions to start with and then integrate him back into the full sessions to get his fitness up and see where he is from there.
“Probably mid-january, hopefully, we might see him on the bench or mid-to-late January.”