Rosenior praise as Rooney handles pressure

WAYNE Rooney has missed out on taking the award for the Sky Bet Championship manager of the month award for September.

The Derby County manager was nominated after guiding his side to seven points from five games in a month that included the club being rocked by administration and a 12-point deduction.

Spirited wins over in-form Stoke City and Reading at Pride Park, as well as a gutsy performance to earn a draw away at West Bromwich Albion, has given the Rams supporters something to cheer about.

But Bournemouth’s Scott Parker has been announced as the winner of the award after the Cherries took 13 points from five unbeaten games.

Neil Critchley of Blackpool and Sheffield United’s Slavisa Jokanovic were the other nominees.

Yet, in Rooney’s case, nomination for the award reflects so much more than the Rams’ results through the month, with the manager earning widespread praise for the way he has tackled leading the club through the most testing of times.

His assistant manager, Liam Rosenior, says he has learned a great deal from Rooney through this difficult period.

The club entered administration in September and were deducted 12 points by the EFL, dropping to the bottom of the Championship table.

Rosenior believes Rooney, a player at the highest level for club and country, has shown his managerial credentials across the board.

“The manager has been outstanding, and I have tried to support him as much as I can,” he told RamsTV.

“The best thing I can say about Wayne is that he has been himself. He is always genuine and authentic to himself.

“He has had a lot of experience over his career, both on and off the pitch, absolutely everything, but he has remained calm, measured and in control.

“Wayne is intelligent with people. He cares about them as well and he has been able to show that side to him in such a difficult time.

“He doesn’t change when he’s doing a press conference, when he is doing a team talk or when he is addressing the staff in terms of a tough moment when the club went into administration.

“I have learnt so much from Wayne in terms of how he has dealt with the pressure of the situation we are in.”

Rooney and Rosenior are supported on the coaching team by first team development coach Justin Walker and head goalkeeping coach Jason Pearcey.

Rosenior says the staff are thriving in managing the players, who he says have performed superbly in a unique set of circumstances.

Derby entered the October international break with one defeat in five games and remain unbeaten at Pride Park Stadium in the League this season.

“I am really proud of everyone,” said Rosenior. “Wayne, myself, Justin Walker and Jason Pearcey are trying to manage the group in a difficult time and we’re all thriving in it.

“We are able to show what we are about and what we believe in.

“The players have been brilliant in how they’ve handled things and performed on the pitch.”