3/1 To Win
Wayne Rooney has stressed that Derby County’s squad will ‘give it everything’ to create history in the coming weeks.
Derby, after being deducted 21 points for entering administration and a historical breach of the EFL’s profitability and sustainability rules, have seven matches remaining in the 2021/22 Sky Bet Championship season to retain their second-tier status.
Rooney’s side are eight points adrift of safety but, following the recent two-week international break, the Rams are ready for the battle ahead between now and May.
They have valiantly fought against the odds all season and the first of Derby’s final seven games of the campaign will see them host Preston North End at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).
“The international break came at a good time for us for some players to get a rest, get their legs back,” Rooney told RamsTV. “We have had players who have been away with their international teams. We’ve got our last player back today in Ravel Morrison and we are ready to go again.
“Our form before the break was indifferent and it was a chance to look back at that but also now to look forward to the last seven games.
“We know what is ahead of us, it’s now time to go and give everything we can in these last seven games to try and stay up.”
He added: “The lads have been great all season long. We keep pushing, keep trying to pick up points and we know tomorrow is a massive game and a must win game for us.
“It’s a chance for us to try and close that gap depending on other results. All we can do now is control our results, try and win the game and see where we are at. All we can try and do is get three points.”
Derby have been backed by their loyal supporters throughout the campaign and achieved the highest Championship attendance, 32,211, for the 2-2 draw against Birmingham City in January.
They have also been well supported on the road and Rooney has urged the Rams’ faithful to continue to remain right behind the players.
Derby have one of the best home records in the Championship this term and the backing of the home crowd has played a key role in the side’s impressive points return at Pride Park.
“My message to the fans is to get behind the players, like they have done all season,” he said. “The fans have been excellent all season and I think they see what the players are trying to do - win, lose or draw - they are giving everything.
“We are working hard, running, fighting for the club and trying to stay in this division. I have no doubt the fans will be right behind the players for the remaining matches.”
He added: “If we are going to have a realistic chance of staying up then we have to win tomorrow.
“It’s pressure for us and we have to go into it feeling confident. We know we are a good team and we are more than capable of winning the game so we will give everything we can and hopefully come away with the three points with the fans behind us.”
