Rosenior: “We Were Outstanding From The First Whistle”

Assistant Manager Liam Rosenior described himself as ‘delighted’ after Derby County ended a run of three straight defeats with a comfortable victory against Barnsley at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday.

The Rams were 2-0 winners over the Reds to maintain their impressive run of form on home turf in the 2021/22 season to move within five points of safety in the Sky Bet Championship table with ten matches remaining.

Derby started the contest brightly, with Luke Plange dragging an early effort wide, and their impressive start was rewarded just before the halfway point of the first half as Ravel Morrison rounded off a fine team move with a composed finish after being set up by Plange.

The midfielder almost got another goal soon afterwards, but he saw his stunning long-range effort crash off the crossbar and behind for a goal kick.

Morrison, a full international for Jamacia, managed to net his second goal of the game just after half-time as he lashed home from inside the box after Tom Lawrence had seen his left-foot strike smack the crossbar to give the Rams a two-goal cushion.

Derby saw out the rest of the game comfortably and Rosenior was thrilled with the way the Rams were on the front foot from the first whistle to pick up all three points in front of their own fans against a fellow side battling to stay in the division.

Rosenior told RamsTV after the game: “We won the game today in a way which I really enjoyed. From the first whistle, I thought we were outstanding in every department.

“We played excellent football at times and at the same time kept a clean sheet which makes me happy.

“I’m absolutely delighted but it’s something we have to build on, keep our feet on the floor and move on to Bournemouth next week.”

He added: “I’m absolutely delighted with every player, every single member of staff which has contributed to this and we are just going to keep it going and see where we end up.”

Morrison’s pair of goals were his first for the club in the league after signing as a free agent at the start of the current campaign.

He netted on his debut for the Rams in the Carabao Cup against Salford City back in August with a superb effort from the edge of the box and, after a spell out of the team in recent months, has returned to the fold in impressive fashion.

Rosenior was full of praise for Morrison’s display and he said: “We have been pleased with him, not just this afternoon, but in the recent games against Luton and Cardiff.

“He showed a fantastic appetite with his work rate. He was unlucky with the chance against Cardiff where the goalkeeper made a great save from the header but when you work as hard as he has - he came off with cramp today - he deserved his goals.”

He added: “I don’t like singling out individuals because it’s a real team effort.”

Manager Wayne Rooney handed 18-year-old winger Malcolm Ebiowei his first senior start in the clash.

Ebiowei, who joined Derby from Scottish champions Rangers in September, impressed at Under-18 level - scoring two hat-tricks this term - to earn himself a call-up to Rooney’s squad.

On his performance, Rosenior said: “I am delighted with Malcolm and with his attitude and appetite to work hard for the team and he didn’t stop running for the 60 minutes he was on the pitch.

“What he has is real ability in one-on-one situations and we felt today was a perfect game for him.

“He came off the pitch and he was devastated he didn’t score and that’s what I like about him. He always wants more from himself, he expects to come on and dominate the game and he just needs to keep his feet on the floor, stay positive and enjoy what we’re doing."

Derby will have a full week on the training ground next week to prepare for the long trip south to face promotion-chasing AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium next Saturday (3pm kick-off).