Knight: Intensity level higher under Wayne

LIFE at Derby County is much more intense under Wayne Rooney and that is translating into the performances on the pitch, Jason Knight believes.

The Rams’ form has picked up since interim boss Rooney took over from Phillip Cocu, with Tuesday night’s 4-0 win over Birmingham City the biggest victory of the season, ensuring Derby end the calendar year with only one defeat in eight.

No player epitomises the intensity more than Knight, whose non-stop running has been a key factor in the good form and saw him ghost in at the back post to complete the rout at St Andrew’s.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the midfielder said: “It is different under Wayne, it is more intense and we’re starting to see the fruits of that.

“Hopefully, more results will come our way. It is a process and we’re just trying to keep that going right now.

“It has been a change for him in terms of going from a player to managing the team but he’s still been the same and wants us to do the basics right and work hard for each other.”

That intensity has also led to quicker starts under Rooney. Since the former England skipper took sole interim charge, Derby have not trailed at the interval in any game.

Knight added: “It was important to get the three points more than anything but to follow it up with a good performance was really pleasing.

“We knew it was vital to start well, we had done it in the previous few games, so we wanted to do it again.

“The two goals early on was a healthy start in the game for us. Regardless of who we were playing, we knew it was important to get the win.”