WE’VE NO ROOM FOR ERROR
Derby boss fears relegation meltdown
WAYNE ROONEY admits Derby’s slump is worrying him as they slide back towards relegation trouble.
Max Biamou’s 11th-minute winner for Coventry made it one win in the last five for Derby and Rams boss Rooney says: “I’m not silly, I know this run of form can’t continue.
“We have to get back to picking points up, winning games.”
Rooney has a tough job ending the poor run at runaway Barnsley midweek.
Derby have lost four of their last five away games and are now six points above the drop zone with Rotherham having two games in hand on them.
It’s getting tight once more after Rooney had inspired a climb up the table when he took over as sole boss. “In my time since coming in as manager I have said we’ll not be in the bottom three come the end of the season,” said Rooney. “But we have to seriously start performing better and picking up points.
“There’s not too much leeway between us and the bottom, but I’m not looking for leeway, I’m looking for performances.
“It’s a challenge for us and it’s a challenge we have to stand up to and be accountable, be ready for that challenge.
“Knowing the players, we will get through this mini slump and get back to winning games.”
It didn’t look like it yesterday as Coventry took control and largely ran the game, pulling level with the Rams on points.
The Sky Blues’ goal was a gimme – full-back Nathan Byrne giving the ball away with an attempted crossfield pass. Callum O’Hare intercepted and fed Biamou with a through ball that he hammered past Rams keeper Kelle Roos. Winger Patrick Roberts threatened Coventry with trickery and had a shot saved. That, plus Matty Clarke’s blocked shot, were as good as Derby got in the first half.
Matty James nearly added to Coventry’s lead in the 64th minute with a 30-yarder that smacked against the post.
“It is a massive win, it’s huge,” said Coventry boss Mark Robins. “Derby are a big club, make no mistake, and shouldn’t be anywhere near the same points as us. But this was just rewards for a really good performance.” COVENTRY: Wilson 6; Ostigard 6, McFadzean 7, Hyam 7; Dabo 6 (Pask 74, 6), James 7, Kelly 6, McCallum 6; O’Hare 7 (Sheaf 90), Hamer 6 (Allen 74, 5); Biamou 8. Unused subs: Marosi, Rose, Cyokeres, Walker, Godden, Shipley.
DERBY: Roos 6; Byrne 6, Wisdom 7, Clarke 7, Buchanan 6; Shinnie 6 (Watson 67, 5), Bird 6, Knight 6; Waghorn 6 (Gregory 67, 5), Kazim-Richards 6, Roberts 7 (Jozwiak 69, 5).
Unused subs: Idem, Forsyth, Edmundson, Mengi, McDonald, Sibley.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Max Biamou. Wasted a few opportunities but took his goal well. REFEREE: John Brooks 6.