High praise but Rooney wants Rams to be ‘more clinical’
BOSS SAYS FIRST-HALF DISPLAY AGAINST BLADES ‘EXCELLENT’
DERBY County were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Sheffield United on Tuesday night but manager Wayne Rooney was proud of the performance of his young team.
The Rams were beaten 2-1 by the Blades in a second-round tie at Bramall Lane.
Louie Sibley fired Derby ahead a minute before half-time only for United to hit back in the second half with goals from Luke Freeman and substitute Billy Sharp.
Sharp rounded goalkeeper Ryan Allsop to finish after latching on to an under-hit back pass by young defender Kornell McDonald.
Here’s what Rooney said after the game:
■■Q) The reaction of the Derby fans showed that they saw a good performance by the youngsters?
Rooney: The fans know football, they understand what we are trying to do.
I am delighted with the performance. First half excellent, second half, still the better team.
The two goals we conceded were avoidable, which happens with Kornell’s one. I am asking us to use the goalkeeper, I am not angry or upset with him. It was just not executed well enough (the back pass) but that is my responsibility.
I am asking the players to use the goalkeeper to start our attacks, that’s no problem. The players can feel proud of their performance because I thought they were very good.
■■Q) What have you said to Kornell McDonald?
Rooney: Of course it is not nice but it is my job and the coaches’ job, and Kornell’s job to get over it.
It’s football, it happens, we have all made mistakes in football. It won’t be the last mistake he makes, just get over it, keep pushing.
He hasn’t been back training that long.
So ideally he shouldn’t really be playing because his fitness levels aren’t up to speed yet but that is where we are at.
■■Q) Was Louie Sibley’s goal the reward for your first-half dominace?
Rooney: I thought we were excellent. The one criticism I have, and again I keep stressing to the players, we have to be more clinical.
We have to have more concentration and take more care in the final third. If we do that, I think we’d have been two or three up at half-time.
■■Q) What was your message at
half-time?
Rooney: Keep playing the way we were playing.
We are trying to build something here with the players.
I think in such a short period of time the difference in the team from last season to this season is massive, I think everyone can see that.
You can see the reaction from the fans, I know they appreciate that.
The fans will see the hard work the players, myself and the coaches are putting in.
We will keep trying to prolong the performances and try and win more games.
■■ Q) Did the fact you did not utilise your entire bench show you had one eye on Saturday (when the Rams play Nottingham Forest) and cannot afford any more injuries?
Rooney: Well I can’t. I think for the younger players who played the problem we have now is where do they get the game-time?
We are out of the Carabao Cup. I can’t risk them in the under-23s otherwise I can’t fill my bench for firstteam games.
It is a problem, it is an issue, it needs looking at, it needs fixing, it needs taking care of.
Hopefully, that gets taken care of but that is out of my control, really.
All I can do is focus on the players I have here and try and improve them, make them better players, that’s my job.
■■Q) It was hoped today (Tuesday) we might see some kind of clarity with the re-submitted accounts (to the EFL). If the fans are getting frustrated, I can only imagine you
must be really annoyed at the situation?
Rooney: Yes, obviously every week it’s the same questions, which I understand, I get it.
Today (Tuesday) the EFL have put a statement out. That is out of my control. A question, I’m sure, if you get in touch with Mr Morris he will answer it for you.
■■Q) Looking ahead to Saturday. It is a long time since Derby had a win against Nottingham Forest and it feels like you have quite a good chance this time because they have not started the season well?
Rooney: I can’t wait, I can’t wait. I hope they are ready because these players will be ready.
Of course they (Forest) haven’t had a good start and we have had a positive start to the season.