Wayne Rooney details key Derby County positive of Middlesbrough defeat

The Rams did equalise at the Riverside Stadium through Max Bird in the first half to provide them with real hope of winning a point or three against a promotion contender – but two home goals in the latter stages of the opening 45 minutes proved to be the defining point of the game with Aaron Connolly and Matt Crooks getting on the scoresheet.

They fought bravely for the majority of the second period to keep the score down to three in a result that potentially looked worse than it actually was – but a mistake allowed Duncan Watmore to grab a fourth late on.

This heavy defeat came following a reasonably convincing 3-1 home victory against Hull City in midweek to take them to within four points of safety – but they were unable to secure another victory to boost their survival hopes further.

Another three points would have taken them above Peterborough United for the time being and with fellow relegation battlers Reading also losing at home to Coventry City, their latest defeat will have been seen as a major missed opportunity by many Derby fans.

Boss Rooney has looked at the 4-1 in a better light though, with plenty of work still to be done in their quest to remain afloat in the Championship.

He said: “I think this game, this result, is in a strange way good timing.

“For myself, my staff and my players it is a reminder of where we are at. It is a good reminder not to get complacent.

“We have got the run-in coming up, we have got a very big game next week against Peterborough and we will prepare for that.

“The lads will have a couple of days to recharge physically and mentally, and then myself and the coaches will have a full week to work with them.”

The Verdict:

You can see where Rooney is coming from – because there are