Still so much up in the air as fans weigh up future for Rams
■■Aaron George: Will Wayne Rooney stay with us in League One?
SN: Wayne Rooney has been clear in his commitment to Derby County.
He has been asked many times whether or not he would walk away but he has always delivered the same determined reply – he is a fighter and is going nowhere.
This has won him many admirers and appears to have changed opinion among some of his critics.
The latest hefty points deduction and the possibility of League One football next season could change the picture for the club but would still offer Rooney the chance to rebuild with his team/squad and move the club forward, which would be a significant feather in his managerial cap.
■■Sachin Gill asks: Are Chris Kirchner and Andy Appleby the front runners to take over the club?
SN: Earlier this month the administrators said: “There are a number of interested parties with whom we are in discussions.
“There is not, at this time, a preferred party nor have we entered into any exclusivity agreement with one party.”
■■Dave Liddle asks: When do you expect the new owner to be announced?
SN: Impossible to say, Dave. The administrators said from day one they would hope to sort things out in three months but no guarantees.
■■Paul Cresswell asks: What are the “new owners” planning to do to win back over the fans and get them back in the stadium?
SN: We need to know who the “new owners” are first before we can ask about their plans, Paul.
I think once a takeover is completed it will feel like a new start and that might attract some fans back.
■■Fran J Hales asks: We are in the 8th week of administration. Do you have any idea when the true financial state of the club will be made public?
SN: I think the administrators said that a Statement of Affairs that includes a breakdown of creditors will be submitted at Companies House within eight weeks.
■■Sean asks: Do Derby take the decision to let go of the short-term contracts, and work with the kids in preparation for next season?
SN: That would very much depend on whether or not the manager sees those on short-term contracts as being part of his plans for the rest of this season and next season, Sean.
Derby cannot just throw all the youngsters in during the second half of the season.
Yes, they will gain experience but such a move could also hamper their development if things do not go well.
The team has to remain balanced with youth and experience because the club will still want to compete and win as many games and points as possible, especially for the fans.
■■Tobe Kelsey asks: Which players, if any, do you think we are at risk of losing in January’s transfer window
due to our obvious pending relegation to League One?
SN: It is difficult to answer the question because things could change if a takeover is completed.
A number of players are out of contract at the end of the season and that could determine who might depart in January and we don’t know as yet whether clubs will come knocking for players.
If it looks likely that Derby will be playing in League One next season then some players might see their futures in the Championship.
David Marshall, currently thirdchoice keeper, has said he is keen to move in January. His contract expires in the summer.
■■Ben asks: Is Bobby Duncan still at the club?
SN: Bobby Duncan is under contract to Derby and so is still at the club, Ben, although he has not featured for the under-23s for some time.
■■Gary Spencer asks: Anymore
news on Krystian Bielik since Wayne spoke about him returning to training at similar time to KazimRichards a month ago?
SN: He continues to build his fitness, Gary.
After two serious knee injuries they have to make sure he is right before he returns to action.
The timescale was always likely to be towards the end of the year.
He has been out since January and missed all of pre-season, and so there is a big difference between him being ready to play again and Colin Kazim-Richards returning to action.
■■Jack Couchman asks: As we’re basically down, can we throw off the negative shackles and at least go down in style? Banging a few goals in, even in a defeat could give some of the attackers some belief.
SN: It would be great to see the team score more goals, a shortage of goals was a problem last season and is again this season, but it is not as straightforward as “throw off the negative shackles”.
SUPPORTERS EAGER TO SEE NEW OWNERS AT THE HELM