Big point is made against leaders and Roo so proud
BOSS NOW SETS SIGHTS ON NEXT TEST AGAINST QPR
WAYNE Rooney says he is proud of the way in which his Derby County players have handled a tough week on and off the pitch.
A further points deduction last week took the Rams’ total points punishment to 21 for the season and left them bottom of the Championship on minus three points.
They then faced a daunting double header of fixtures against the division’s top two teams - Bournemouth and Fulham.
They beat Bournemouth 3-2 on Sunday to move on to zero points and followed that by holding leaders Fulham to a goalless draw at Craven Cottage.
Fulham had won their previous seven matches, scoring 25 goals.
“It is a good point for us in a very difficult game against Fulham, a strong team, and we maybe could have nicked it on another day but a point was a fair result,” said Rooney.
“In the past week, given everything surrounding the club, to get four points against Bournemouth and Fulham, the players deserve a lot of credit for that.
“It has been a tough week off the pitch but they keep coming in and working hard, and I can never doubt that. I think they are getting the recognition they deserve and praise they deserve for how they are handling the situation.
“I know the players, I have big demands of them and they have not let me down one bit.
“But we cannot become complacent with these results because we have another difficult game on Monday against Queens Park Rangers. It is an opportunity for us to try and get three points.”
Young midfielder Liam Thompson completed his second 90 minutes in four days for the Rams and earned more praise from Rooney.
“Liam made his debut on Sunday, played 90 minutes, and 90 minutes again against Fulham, and he has been fantastic - as good a two games I have seen from anyone from their first two games,” Rooney added.
“He deserves a lot of credit but all of them do, the work they are putting in in a very difficult season and very difficult time for the club I can’t fault them.
“As a manager, that is what you want, players to be fighting for themselves first of all, for their teammates, for the manager and for this club, and every one of them is doing that.”
The Rams remain 16 points adrift of safety with 27 games left to play.
“We will keep fighting, we will keep working, keep pushing, and you never know,” Rooney said.
“I said after the previous game if there is small chance we can stay up, which will be very difficult, I have no doubt these players will take it.”
Fulham’s leading scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic missed the game.
The striker has hit 21 goals for the west London side this season including 11 in his last seven appearances.
Asked if the absence of Mitrovic from the team sheet was a huge boost, Rooney said: “I am being honest with you, and you might think I’m not, it didn’t matter at all.
“Of course he is a fantastic player and the goals he has scored but I addressed the players before the game and it was about what we do. We have to play our game, play our way, which off the ball is energy and working hard but try and play with composure and create chances, which we did at times.”
In the past week, given everything surrounding the club, to get four points against Bournemouth and Fulham, the players deserve a lot of credit for that. Wayne Rooney