Players’ siege mentality can see them pull off the miracle
WAYNE Rooney praised the performance of his Derby County players in the 1-0 victory over Reading at Pride Park Stadium.
Craig Forsyth headed the winning goal – his first in more than five years since he scored the winner away to Preston North End in August 2016.
The win lifted the Rams from minus two points to plus one at the bottom of the Championship.
“I was very pleased with the performance,” said the Rams manager.
“I thought first half we played some really good stuff, created some good chances and deserved to go in at half-time one up.
“I thought we started the second half very well and looked dangerous on the break but obviously dropped back a little bit deeper, but defended the box very well.
“I am delighted with the three points.”
Here is the rest of what Rooney said in his post-match press conference:
A rare goal for Craig Forsyth?
Rooney: “It is something we have been working on since pre-season, to be honest.
“Playing at left-back, we try to get him in the box when the ball is on the other side of the pitch. We play with our full-backs really high, anyway.
“We haven’t got the tallest of strikers and attacking players, so it is an option for us. It was a great header, really controlled header, but it was not just his goal.
“I thought his overall performance was excellent. I am really pleased for him.”
Your thoughts on the performance of goalkeeper Ryan Allsop in his first League start for the club?
Rooney: “I thought his performance was very good, some good saves. He is obviously very good with his feet.
“To come in and give a good performance like he did and keep a clean sheet, I am delighted with.
“Also for Marshy (David Marshall), he hasn’t been involved this season, he has been very professional to come (on the bench) and I understand it is a very difficult situation for him. I am delighted with his attitude, how he has been last few days.”
Has Sam Baldock picked up an injury?
Rooney: “His hamstring was just a little bit tight, it was through injury why he came off, it wasn’t a tactical decision. We will assess him in the morning and see how he is for Saturday.”
Jack Stretton came on and worked hard for the team.
Rooney: “He did. He always does and he always seems to get a very good chance when he is on the pitch. I was pleased with him.”
You could have done with a second goal. Should you have had a penalty? Was it handball?
Rooney: “There has been a few times this season we should have had one. We’ll have to try and score goals in other ways.”
There is a lot of optimism from the crowd singing ‘we’re staying up’. How are you able to translate that optimism to your players?
Rooney: “I believe we will (stay up) if it stays at minus 12 points.
“The players trust in me, they believe in me, and that is showing on the pitch.
“I think their attitude has been fantastic. They are a very good group of players, all fighting for this club. It is a very difficult moment we are in but the players are giving absolutely everything, so all we can do is keep working, keep trying to pick up points.
“I think they deserve a lot of praise, a lot of credit.
“Looking at the table now we are back into positive points. It is never nice when you are on minus points, to turn that around so quickly they deserve a lot of praise for that.”
Do you have to lift the players much?
Rooney: “Just being open with them, players respect that. It was not long ago I was a player and the one thing you want as a player is your manager and coaches to be open.
“I have been really open with them, been honest with them, told them what the situation is, whether it is good or bad, and the players respond to that.
“It almost brings that siege mentality where we know we are in a tough moment but if we stick together we will get through it.
“If I go in there with any doubt the players will sense that. I have no doubt, I believe we will stay up if it stays how it is.
“Obviously, if we get more points (taken off us) it makes it more difficult. If we stay up, these lads will have performed miracles.”