Wayne Rooney reveals post-match relegation message he sent to Derby County players after Swansea loss

Derby County manager Wayne Rooney has revealed he told his players that it would be a “difficult task” for the Rams to remain afloat in the Championship following their 2-1 defeat against Swansea City yesterday afternoon, speaking to his side’s media team.

The Rams have put up a brave battle so far this season, fighting their way back from a 21-point deduction with a very inexperienced squad and climbing to within nine points of safety with five games to go.

However, they are now in a worse position than they once were with their defeat this weekend and Reading’s victory over Stoke City in midweek increasing the deficit to safety, with the East Midlands club failing to capitalise on the Royals’ defeat against Cardiff City yesterday afternoon.

This will be a real source of disappointment for manager Rooney who even said back in February that his side were in pole position to secure safety over Paul Ince’s men, Barnsley and Peterborough United.

Since that claim, the Rams have only won three of their last ten league matches, not a terrible total by any means but one that hasn’t been able to keep up with the Royals who currently sit 21st.

With this in mind, Rooney has admitted he told his players after yesterday’s defeat to Swansea it would be a difficult task for his side to make up the deficit now.

Speaking to the Rams’ media team, he said: “I’ve said to the lads inside that it’s a difficult task now.

“We will keep pushing, trying but ultimately we will give everything in these final five games.

“What we have to do is keep believing in how we play and what we are trying to do.

“I can start planning and preparing in terms of the squad for next season, but we will give everything in these next five games.”

The Verdict:

Very