Rooney: Rams’ attack is the ‘obvious’ area to improve in January window
INTERIM BOSS PLANNING AHEAD AS WAIT CONTINUES FOR TAKEOVER
WAYNE Rooney says Derby County need to add to their striking options in the January transfer window.
The Rams are in the bottom three of the Championship and have scored the fewest goals in the division – only eight in 18 matches.
“We need more goals, I have said that to the players. We need to start rewarding the resilience we are showing in keeping clean sheets which will turn into three points,” said Rooney ahead of tomorrow night’s home game against Swansea City.
“With January coming up, it is an obvious position we need to look at and try and get someone in. As for the lads who are in now, it is a challenge for them to try and score goals and start winning us football games,” added the Rams’ interim manager.
Here’s what Rooney said about Derby’s January transfer plans.
■ Q) How much planning have you been able to do when it comes to January?
WR: You can plan for things to happen.
Those plans are in place, we have been looking at players, assessing who could come in but the big question for us now is can we bring these players in. We can have stuff in place, that is not a problem, I think once January comes we will be in a position where those players will be ready if the funds are there from the club.
■ Q) Are you looking at different plans?
WR: We are looking at everything, we are preparing for both scenarios, we have to be ready for whatever happens.
We are doing that. Ideally it would be nice to have a bit of money to spend, if not we have to deal with it and make decisions on players, perhaps bringing players in on loan. Maybe that might mean players going out as well.
■ Q) How can you utilise the numerous contacts you have in the game?
WR: Yes, myself, Shay (Given) and Liam (Rosenior) have all got ties with and contacts at other clubs but we have to do what is right for this football club and we can’t just be looking at other clubs we have worked with in the past.
We have to trust in our recruitment teams as well, and they obviously have to give us the right players who are available and we will have our opinions on players we think might be available to us.
■ Q) Is the forward area the one key area you are looking to bolster in January?
WR: I think there are other areas as well.
We are sitting near the bottom of the table and there are areas we need to improve.
Whether that is the players who are at the club who need to improve for those areas or players coming in.
Either way we have to get better. The striker area we need to add to.
Colin (Kazim-Richards) has come in and he’s been great. If we can add one or two more in that position it would only benefit the team in the long run.
■ Q) How frustrating is it for you at the moment given that fans are increasingly getting concerned about the time the proposed takeover is taking?
WR: It is something I need to try and stay patient with. As I said before about transfers, I have to prepare for each game and get the players ready.
In terms of the takeover, there is no update I can give you.
As I keep saying, I keep asking the question and when I get an answer I can let you know but at the time being there is no update.