DEM NOT DON FOR AT BLUES
UWE ROSLER has told his Leeds players to be fearless on their bogey ground – Derby’s iPro Stadium.
Rosler is demanding they are positive, despite losing their previous seven trips to the Rams and their last win was back in the good old days of 2002.
The Leeds boss won twice at County with Wigan last year and says United must not be intimidated by their big-spending opponents.
“The most important thing is that there’s no fear,” said Rosler. “Derby County can be, at times, intimidating because of how they played in the last couple of years and how they invested in the team.
“From my observation, the team isn’t showing any signs of fear going to Derby.
“It’s just for us to make sure we get a result there and in the last 18 months, I got two wins over there with my team.
“I spoke with the players and we have to have respect for Derby, like any other team, but we can’t go there and show them too much respect.
“I think it’s really important that we go there and put ourselves in a position to win the game.
“Everyone knows how important it is to win football games and three points are much better than one.”
Leeds, who have Lewis Cook back from suspension, are still searching for their first win under Rosler and the German warns they must work hard against Derby.
He has studied their recent draw against Middlesbrough, when the Rams dominated possession, and says they must close them down.
“Derby had 600 passes and Middlesbrough had 250 or 240,” he said. “I don’t think we can allow that to happen, that Derby have 600 passes.
“There will be a massive effort needed without the ball, there is no question. We have to be very good against the ball and very good in transition.
“An average performance isn’t good enough to get a result there. We need a top performance.
“Derby try to wear you out and you have to keep your concentration.” BIRMINGHAM boss Gary Rowett says wonderkid Demarai Gray has no intention of quitting St Andrew’ s.
Leicester are keen on the 19-year-old (above), but Rowett reckons the wing wizard is content with life at the Blues.
He said: “The first minute Dimmy set foot on a pitch with Birmingham City there was always going to be speculation because he is a real talent.
“We know that speculation is going to get hotter and hotter as the transfer window closes. We have got four or five days and it’s impossible to predict everything that’s going to happen.
“But at the moment Demarai has always said the same to me – that he’s happy here, he signed a new contract in the summer, he’s enjoying his football.
“I don’t think anyone can say definitively that he is never going to move on, but at the moment those are the conversations that I’ve had with him.”
The Blues travel to MK Dons with Karl Robinson’s side making a good fist of their start to life in the Championship.
And Dons midfielder Darren Potter said: “I think we’ve made a solid start.
“I would have certainly taken seven points from four games, we’re all really happy.
“But we’re not getting carried away with what we’ve done so far.”
MKNameDonsv v Birmingham