Rooney is aiming for the Rams to return refreshed
DERBY County manager Wayne Rooney says the international break will give him time to reassess his team and the players.
Rooney was “hugely disappointed” by the performance in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium.
The Rams are now without a win in seven matches and the gap between themselves and the relegation places is down to five points.
“Obviously, the run of form over the last few weeks has not been good enough. We know, if we did not know beforehand, we are in a relegation battle,” said Rooney.
Derby have eight games remaining and they are next in action when they face Luton Town at home on Friday, April 2.
“I think the international break has come at a good time,” said Rooney. “It has come at a time where we can have time to get some energy back, to rest physically but also mentally.
“And it gives me time to reassess the team, reassess the players and see what I can do differently to try and get more out of the players.”
Rotherham United won 2-0 away to Bristol City and sit third bottom on 35 points – five behind Derby, who are 19th on 40 points. The Millers have four games in hand.
Coventry City are 20th on 39 and have played one game less than the Rams, while Birmingham City, who lost away to Watford, are 21st on 38.
“We look at ourselves, that’s all we can do,” said Rooney.
“It was a very frustrating performance, especially in the first half, when it felt like a testimonial game.
“That is fine for Stoke, where they are in the table, but for us that is not acceptable.
“Our plan was to be on the front foot, be aggressive and get to the ball. We felt by doing that we could cause Stoke problems but we didn’t do that.
“I am hugely disappointed with the performance.
“We lacked in energy and in quality going forward and I don’t think we deserved anything from the game.”
Colin Kazim-Richards battled for an hour of the game, despite being doubtful for the Championship clash.
The Rams’ leading scorer limped off during the draw with Brentford on Tuesday night due to a hip injury.
Kazim-Richards played 63 minutes at Stoke before he was replaced by Tom Lawrence.
“We knew it (the hip injury) wasn’t going to completely go away,” said Rooney.
“He had an injection to play and the longer the game went on, obviously the more he felt it, so we had to make the change and bring him off.”
Kazim-Richards has scored seven goals in his 24 starts this season.