Rooney: In first 20 minutes we have to be ready for the fight ...
RAMS MANAGER BRACED FOR ‘DIFFICULT GAME’ AGAINST LEADERS WBA AT THE HAWTHORNS
DERBY County take on early Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns tonight (8pm).
Here’s what Rams manager Wayne Rooney said ahead of the game:
■■Q) Ravel Morrison was key in the first 20 minutes at Birmingham City but then got a little kick and seemed to drift away. How concerning is it that teams will think, ‘if we stop Ravel playing, we might stop Derby playing’?
Rooney: That is something I have spoken about with the players.
It wasn’t just Ravel, they (Birmingham) started to go man-for-man on our midfield players. That is something we have to learn to deal with and be brave enough to take the ball while you are marked.
It is something where we have to get better; we know that.
We are still only six games into the season and we know we can perform better than we have, even though there have been big improvements. We keep working on that.
■■Q) Playing from the back has its risks. Is it something you just have to persist with?
Rooney: Mistakes happen playing this way, I have seen players at Barcelona and Bayern Munich make the same mistakes, and that is at the top level, so they do happen.
We just have to make sure we keep our concentration because they are mistakes that are avoidable.
We need to take care and make sure our passes get there.
The way we set up, we are quite open when we are trying to play out, and so there is a chance you can get punished.
Game management is also something we have spoken to the players about. There might be times in the game where we are under a bit of pressure and, to calm it down a bit, we go long and squeeze the pitch; that is an option the players have got.
They know they have got that option if they feel under pressure.
■■Q) Is that where not having a big focal point up front hampers you somewhat?
Rooney: It is obviously difficult because if we are going long, with Colin (Kazim-Richards) being injured, nine times out of 10, the opposition will win the first ball and head it back into us and then we have to fight for the second ball.
It is something we are obviously looking at because we are going to keep playing, keep trying to play out, play our game, but there’s moments in games where we have to manage it a bit better.
■■Q) David Marshall, he has lost his place in your squad and his place in the Scotland squad as well. Many thought his time at Derby was coming to end. Was he actively searching for a move away in the transfer window knowing he needs games to get back in the Scotland squad?
Rooney: I am not sure, I don’t know. It is a question you’d have to ask Marshy.
Obviously, it is a difficult position for a goalkeeper, you can only play one, and I have got three very good goalkeepers.
For the time being, Marshy has not been involved. I know that’s difficult for him but it is a decision I have to make.
■■Q) What does David Marshall have to do to get back into your squad? Presumably, the door is open for him still?
Rooney: Not just Marshy, but everyone.
The one thing I ask from the players is to train well and work hard, and earn your right to play and if you get in the team, make it difficult for me to leave you out of the team.
At the minute, Kelle is doing a good job and Ryan (Allsop) obviously hasn’t played too much but that is the two I have gone with at the minute.
Like it did last season, if performances aren’t up to the standard I want then it makes my decision easier if I need to change it.
Marshy would want to play, of course, he would, and it’s a difficult position for him to be in, and also for me because I really like him as a person, but my job is to pick what I feel is the best option for the team.
■■Q) How do you assess the threats and the challenge of West Bromwich Albion?
Rooney: They are a difficult team to play against. As you can see, they play exactly the same way Barnsley played last season, but with better quality players, so we know Tuesday night will be a very difficult game, and we have to be ready.
■■Q) What do you need to do better? What do you need to improve on that you didn’t show enough on Friday (v Birmingham)?
Rooney: We need to create more chances and not concede the goals we conceded because you make it more difficult for yourselves.
We need to give ourselves a chance of winning the game.
In the first 20 minutes, we have to be ready for the fight, second balls, 50-50s, win our individual battles and then try and hurt them.
They obviously play a high line, and so we need to find ways to get in behind their defence.
■■Q) How close is Jason Knight to starting? Is he ready to start?
Rooney: Yes, Knighty is a top professional; he has worked extremely hard while he has been off injured.
There are no issues whatsoever with his fitness levels, even though he has been out for a while.
If I need him to play, he will be ready to play.
■■Q) How is Festy Ebosele, who has had a knee problem?
Rooney: He is improving. He should be training with us back end of this week or early next week.
■■Q) How is Krystian Bielik’s recovery going?
Rooney: Krystian is doing really well. He is on the grass with the ball at his feet and he is on track with his injury. I am pleased.
He seems to be in a better place, as well. He has been coming to the away games, being around the team, which is great to have him around the other players.
■■Q) And how is Colin KazimRichards’ recovery going?
Rooney: Colin is out of his (protective) boot and off his crutches now and doing his recovery work.
After the next international break, we can assess where he is, and then it shouldn’t be that long after the international break.