WE ALL MISSED ROO SO MUCH
Cocu admits his shambolic Rams need Wayne’s leadership
PHILLIP COCU said Derby’s horror show underlines why they need Wayne Rooney.
Cocu could have been forgiven for watching the first half through his fingers with the Rams a shambles as Reading scored through Lucas Joao and Ovie Ejaria (right).
Rooney was only fit enough to come on for the last half hour and Cocu says Derby badly missed his experience and leadership.
“The first 30 minutes was a great example of why you want him in your team,” said the Rams boss.
“It was the start of a new season, with all the youngsters and a few other guys behaving differently to what you would expect from them.
“We were losing 2-0 and maybe their mindset is, ‘ We’re losing, so now we go’, but you have to do it from the start.”
Rooney lacked sharpness because of his back problem and Cocu plans to give him more time in tomorrow’s Carabao Cup tie against Preston, claiming it may be two weeks before he is ready for a full 90 minutes.
“He didn’t miss all preseason, so has some level of fitness,” said the Dutchman ( below), who is confident of agreeing a fee with th Lech Poznan for Poland and winger Kami il l Jozwiak.
“But we have to make sure he doesn’t get a setback.
“I will have a dialogue with him im to see what we can an do and then if he doesn’t have any setbacks, then it could be soon he can play 90 minutes.
Maybe not three games in a week – but if we focus on one game it maybe could be in a week or two.” Derby will need more th a n Rooney judging by this shocking evidence for a s side with hopes o of going up this sea season.
Joa Joao tormented them all afternoon, scoring one, creating the second with a cheeky back-heel and rattling the bar with a shot. It was a dream start for new boss Veljko Paunovic – appointed just over a fortnight ago – and he was delighted with Liam Moore’s leadership. Paunovic restored him as captain after predecessor Mark Bowen took the armband off him in pre-season.
The Serb insisted: “He deserved it because of the attitude and communication he has shown.
“I believe people should have another chance. There must be a commitment to that and we have connected very well. He’s a family guy also, and I value that a lot.” DERBY: Marshall 7, Wisdom 6 (Byrne 46, 6), Te Wierik 6, Clarke 6, Forsyth 6, Bird 5, Shinnie 6 (Rooney 63, 5), Whittaker 6, Sibley 5, Knight 5, Marriott 5 READING: Cabral 6, Yiadom 7, Richards 7, Moore 7, Morrison 6, Rinomhota 6, Laurent 6, Olise 7 (Holmes 88), Swift 6 (Baldock 78, 6), Ejaria 7 (Aluko 68, 6), Joao 8
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