From being really sceptical about the bloke when he took over, I have to say I think we have the best Manager we could possibly have in Wayne Rooney. I just read an article in the DET and TBH he just continues to impress me.
"Derby County manager Wayne Rooney has offered an insight into how he motivates his players to keep going despite all the off-field issues that this season has brought.
Against all odds, the Rams have gone unbeaten against the two Championship frontrunners since returning from the November international break.
Sunday's win comeback 3-2 win over Bournemouth showed their ability to break through the toughest defence in the division, while Wednesday's stalemate at Fulham showed the other side of their game to blunt the league's free scorers.
Reflecting on those results and the environment off-the-field that they have been achieved in, Rooney revealed that he remains relentless in sticking to the non-negotiables that he places on the players.
“This team HAS to represent me. I put big demands on those players, and I don't care if they're 16 or if they're 39, I put big demands on them to work and fight. There’s no excuse for not working hard," he told the BBC's Football Daily podcast.
"If you win the game, great. If you don't, what you don't want is ME, first of all, being on you but THE FANS being on you for not working, that's something that I can truly say, these players give everything, every game.
“I think it'd be a miracle if we do it [stay up] this season, but we’ll keep pushing and give it a go.
Rooney touches upon there about age not being a factor, and that has been proven most recently by the breakthrough of Liam Thompson into the first team fold.
The 20-year-old midfielder played the full 90 minutes in both matches in the past week and is just the latest academy graduate to make the jump this season, in part thanks to the squad sanctions.
“What it does is it tests you as a person, as a character. It tests myself and my staff to develop some of these players.
"I’ve lost track of how many debuts I’ve given to young players!
"Watching them develop on a daily basis when they come and train with us and then earn the chance to play because we need them because, where our squad is, we need some of those young players to come in and be ready.
“It’s a big challenge but I think myself and the staff are dealing well with it.
"[I tell them] just enjoy it! Football is a game which you should enjoy because it's what we all did when we were kids, we all wanted to be professional football players, and when you're a kid you go out on the street, you play your Sunday game [or] whatever that is, for enjoyment.
"So what changes? You get paid for doing the job you love, so if enjoy it, you'll perform better."
Reasons to be Cheerful - Part 1
posted on 27/11/21
comment by 🏴 HebridesRam (U2909)
posted 12 hours, 29 minutes ago
Is Ang indisposed?
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Not like Ang to miss an evening watching young men in shorts.
posted on 27/11/21
I saw the U23s highlights. Good goals against a good Arsenal team. Pleasing to see Sibley playing like he can once more... UTR
posted on 27/11/21
I too think Rooney is doing an excellent job.....but can we afford him?
Answer...we can if he does the impossible and keeps us up.
posted on 27/11/21
comment by Terry Hennessey (U22420)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
I saw the U23s highlights. Good goals against a good Arsenal team. Pleasing to see Sibley playing like he can once more... UTR
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I thought both Sibley and Plange looked useful. Whether they can hack it in the Championship remains to be seen but I think they're both worthy of getting a place on the bench ....another reason to be cheerful...
posted on 27/11/21
Sibley has struggled to have any impact this season. He's quite unique in the way he plays so I don't think he fits easily into the team. He's always had a goal in him but he needs the team to be set up to suit his strengths. At present we are a team that needs to scrap for everything. It's been noticeable to me that since Morrison was replaced we have done much better. I don't dislike Morrison but like Sibley he is a bit of a luxury player. Some of us would say the same about Lawtence but he has been working hard in my opinion and producing some end product. Knight and Thompson have no frills or fancy tricks but they don't half bring a lot to the team in other ways. I reckon Sibley and Morrison might struggle to be more than sub options for the time being.
posted on 27/11/21
comment by Terry Hennessey (U22420)
posted 4 hours, 17 minutes ago
I saw the U23s highlights. Good goals against a good Arsenal team. Pleasing to see Sibley playing like he can once more... UTR
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I recommend watching the whole game, Terry.
Superb performance. In short Arsenal's starlets just couldnt match our energy anywhere on the pitch.
Would be wrong to single out individuals, but some strong partnerships on show, Bardell & Cashin at the back, Robinson & Watson in MF and Plange & Sibley up front.
Always enjoyable when your team makes it's tackes, wins the vast majority of 2nd balls and can hold the ball up front.
Plange a strong candidate to be the next u23 to get the step-up.
posted on 27/11/21
Unfortunately Plange cannot step up - cf WR's lament in Derbyshire Live. It really is ridiculous and shows what a shower the EFL is.
posted on 27/11/21
comment by Chicagoram (U22653)
posted 7 minutes ago
Unfortunately Plange cannot step up - cf WR's lament in Derbyshire Live. It really is ridiculous and shows what a shower the EFL is.
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Yes, I just read that Chicago...pathetic eh....and vindictive...
posted on 27/11/21
comment by Terry Hennessey (U22420)
posted 28 minutes ago
comment by Chicagoram (U22653)
posted 7 minutes ago
Unfortunately Plange cannot step up - cf WR's lament in Derbyshire Live. It really is ridiculous and shows what a shower the EFL is.
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Yes, I just read that Chicago...pathetic eh....and vindictive...
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Not read it. Can Cashin ? He was in a similar situation to Thompson
posted on 27/11/21
comment by 🏁 AnglianRam 🏁 (U17428)
posted 12 minutes ago
comment by Terry Hennessey (U22420)
posted 28 minutes ago
comment by Chicagoram (U22653)
posted 7 minutes ago
Unfortunately Plange cannot step up - cf WR's lament in Derbyshire Live. It really is ridiculous and shows what a shower the EFL is.
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Yes, I just read that Chicago...pathetic eh....and vindictive...
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Not read it. Can Cashin ? He was in a similar situation to Thompson
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"Derby were under a transfer embargo at the time Plange signed for the under-23s, making him ineligible for the first team as it stands." (from Derbys Live)
This suggests Cashin should not fall within the scope of the embargo since it was relaxed a bit when we accepted the 9 point deduction. I believe that we are now allowed 25 in our squad as opposed to the original 23 but Thompson has now taken up one of these slots (and good on him for doing so.) That leaves precious little wriggle room but you would have thought that Plange could take up that last slot - but apparently he can't. Go figure.