Subs praised after giving Rams triple tonic to beat the Potters
WAYNE Rooney praised the impact made by Derby County’s three substitutes in the 2-1 victory over Stoke City.
Festy Ebosele, Colin Kazim-richards and Ravel Morrison all came off the bench during the second half of the Championship clash at the bet365 Stadium, replacing Kamil Jozwiak, Luke Plange – who scored the Rams’ first goal – and Tom Lawrence.
Morrison and Kazim-richards combined for the winning goal five minutes from time after former Rams forward Tom Ince had equalised for Stoke.
Kazim-richards also came off the bench to grab the winner against West Bromwich Albion on Monday.
“I thought all three subs did well when they came on,” Rooney said.
“It was good composure and a good finish from Colin and a really nice pass from Ravel to put him in.
“I thought Festy, as well, was a handful, he caused them real problems with his pace down the side.
“I was delighted with the three lads who came on.”
Kazim-richards and Morrison had been pushing for a start against Stoke.
“It is important that everyone plays a part,” said Rooney.
“I understand, I have been a player myself, that players will be disappointed when they don’t play. I get that but it is important to have an impact when you come on.
“They all want to play and it is difficult for a manager, the decisions you have to make,
BUT BOSS QUICKLY TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO AWAY TEST AT READING
some decisions are tough. But I have to go with my instinct and what I feel is the best 11 for the game.
“I know Colin was pushing to start, Ravel was pushing to start. I spoke to them and said be ready to come on because nine times out of 10 the lads who come on win the game for the team.
“In the last two games Colin has done that for us.”
He added: “I felt we started the game really well, on the front foot, showed composure, moved the ball well, got the goal, and they weren’t causing us any problems.
“I felt in the last 15 minutes of the first half we could have took a bit more control of the game.
“In the second half we knew there would be moments when we would have to dig in.
“They got a quite fortunate goal, really, but the reaction of the lads after that was excellent. I am delighted with the three points.”
Rooney’s focus and that of the players, quickly turned to Monday’s away game against Reading.
The Rams’ victory against the Potters was their third consecutive win.
They remain bottom of the Championship, having been deducted 21 points this season, but the gap between themselves and safety in the table is now down to 11 points.
Derby are on 10 points from 24 games, while Reading sit just above the relegation places on 21 points from 22 games played.
Asked for his his thoughts on the battle to beat the drop and the
chances of pulling off a great escape, Rooney said: “I am delighted with the last three games, obviously, but come late February we will have a better idea (of whether we can stay up).
“We are in a good run of form at the minute, we have to keep going. All our focus and attention now is solely on Reading on Monday.”
This was only the second away win of the season for Derby and their first since beating Hull City in August.