Rooney wants action from refs’ chief after penalty not given
RAMS BOSS CLAIMS VISITORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN AWARDED ‘CLEAR’ SPOT KICK IN DEFEAT
WAYNE Rooney says Derby County were denied a clear penalty in the closing seconds of their 2-1 defeat by Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
Derby took the lead in the Championship clash through Tom Lawrence but Sam Gallagher equalised before half-time.
Harvey Elliott put Rovers 2-1 up in the second half and Derby pressed for a second goal.
Nathan Byrne’s in-swinging corner almost found the net before substitute Festy Ebosele surged into the area and appeared to be brought down but referee Stephen Martin waved away strong appeals for a penalty.
“I have seen a replay, it is the most clear penalty you could ever see,” said Rams manager Rooney.
“I didn’t need to see a replay, the referee has got a great view of it and it is completely unacceptable, the decision to not give a penalty.
“I know referees have a tough job, I respect that. They get decisions wrong at times.
“If my players don’t have a good game, they don’t do what you ask, I deal with that.
“Now I don’t really want to go down this route but (referees’ chief) Alan Wiley has to take action because that is unacceptable.”
Defeat means Derby have lost their last three games and have won only once in 11 matches. They are one place above the Championship relegation zone.
Rooney said the two goals conceded by the Rams at Ewood Park were sloppy.
Gallagher’s goal was a free header from a corner, Elliott’s came after a slip by Andre Wisdom.
“We conceded two sloppy goals and it cost us,” said Rooney.
“I think, performance-wise, it was good. We didn’t deserve to lose the game but I can’t keep sitting here and saying this. We have to start winning games and picking up points.
“We deserved more from the last three games but the problem we have had all season is scoring goals.
“We got the first goal, we created enough chances to go and get the second or third, I believe, but we didn’t. When you don’t do that, you give teams a chance.
“It was a sloppy goal conceded from a corner and then Andre Wisdom slipped and (keeper) David Marshall had to do better.
“It is a disappointing result and now we have to get ourselves ready for Tuesday because Tuesday (at Preston North End) is a must-win game.”
Rooney also explained the thinking behind the new-look attack he fielded against Blackburn.
The Rams’ centre-forward and top scorer Colin Kazim-richards, a regular starter, was named among the substitutes.
Rooney opted for Tom Lawrence and Louie Sibley as a front two flanked by Patrick Roberts on the right and Kamil Jozwiak on the left.
Rooney said: “I wanted players on the pitch I felt could cause Blackburn problems.
“Blackburn played a bit different to the way they have been playing, whether that was down to the way we set up, I don’t know.
“I felt having Louie (Sibley) and Tom (Lawrence), and Patrick (Roberts) and Kamil (Jozwiak), and giving them freedom to go and play and to interchange and get on the ball, would cause Blackburn problems, which I felt they did. Other than not getting the second or third goal, the performance was good.”