PRESSURE ALL ON FOREST, SAYS ROONEY
WAYNE Rooney believes all the pressure is on Nottingham Forest going into tomorrow’s East Midlands’ showdown at Pride Park Stadium (12.30 kick-off).
Derby County have won one and drawn two of their four Championship games so far, while Forest have lost all four and sit bottom of the early table.
The Rams are without a win against the Reds in eight attempts, going back to the 2-0 victory in October 2017.
But Rooney said: “I think the pressure is on Forest, the pressure is on them to get a win. They have got no points from the start of the season, I think they are under real pressure to win on Saturday.
“So, from our point of view, we will be ready for that and we are confident and ready to go and get three points.
“We are going to try to take the game to them. We want to win the game and, if we do, then I think we can say we have had a great start to the season.”
The game is Derby’s final fixture before the first international break of the season. How important is it to go into the break on a high?
“It will be nice if we do that because the lads will have a few days off and I’m sure they will enjoy that during the international break,” said
Rooney.
“From our point of view as coaches, and also from a fans’ point of view, I think no-one would have expected us to have that start to the season.
“I think it shows just how much work we are doing, how much the players are learning and progressing as individuals but also as a team.
“But we have to go out there and win. We know Championship football is crazy at times and we know Forest will come and be resilient, hard to beat and try and hit us on the break, get bodies behind the ball and try to frustrate us.
“It is our job to make sure we are patient, comfortable in possession and create chances because the one thing I don’t think will happen, I don’t think Forest will come and press us.”
Forest have lost 2-1 against Coventry City, Bournemouth and Blackburn Rovers, then 1-0 away to Stoke City to leave manager Chris Hughton under pressure for his job and the players still searching for that first League point.
“Chris Hughton is a fantastic manager,” said Rooney.
“At some point throughout the season you go through a bad run of games, that happens in the Championship.
“Unfortunately, from Chris’ point of view, he has started the season with no points, so I am sure he will be doing everything he can to make sure they get a win on Saturday.
“It is normal the pressure is there, we are all under pressure to perform, to get results.
“We just have to focus on ourselves and try and make him go five games without a point because I’ll be pleased and obviously I wish Chris the best after that.”