Sky Blues aiming to drag Rams close
COVENTRY City are looking to drag Derby County back into the relegation pack in today’s big Midlands Championship clash.
Wayne Rooney’s men are only three points ahead of the Sky Blues heading into the game at St Andrew’s but manager Mark Robins believes Rams fans are “in for a decent ride” beyond the crucial fixture.
Asked how he thought Rooney was doing in his first job in management, Robins said: “Wayne looks like he’s taken to it like a duck to water.
“He looks comfortable on the touchline and looks like he has the team set up well. He’s had some really good results and some good performances, so it will be an encouraging start for him.
“Each club is different and has its unique set of circumstances that you have to manage and, from the outside looking in, it looks like he’s made a decent start.”
Rooney was in temporary charge when the two sides met at Pride Park in December and Colin KazimRichards’ 83rd-minute lead was cancelled out by a last-minute Gus Hamer equaliser.
“There is a different emphasis on certain things since we last played them,” said Robins.
“They work really hard. They have got pace, they have got power and they have good players – everything you’d expect a Championship club to have.
“The only thing you’d say is you wouldn’t have expected Derby County to be in the situation they’re in, so they are going to want to get away from that as quickly as possible.”
On the prospect of dragging the Rams back into pack, he said: “Yes, but again, all the games are important regardless of circumstances. “If we can get more things right than not, then we’ll give them a really good game.
“The fact that they made six changes in the week and have spoken about our game in the way they have shows the emphasis and importance they have put on the game.
“So it’s going to be an interesting afternoon and, hopefully, we will put in a really good performance against a really good team.” He added: “I am based in Derby, so I see and hear a little bit more. He has got good coaches around him and I am sure they are in for a decent ride.
“But now it’s all about us and, hopefully, we can focus on the job in hand and another good game to look forward to.”