3/1 To Win
Wayne Rooney is eyeing a positive festive period for Derby County as they look to extend their six-game unbeaten run and continue to move up the Sky Bet Championship table.
Derby have picked up two wins and four draws from their last six outings to gradually edge their way up the Championship standings after a disappointing start to the season.
Rooney is currently leading on first team matters from the coaching team while the club wait to appointment a new permanent manager after Phillip Cocu left the club in November.
He has overseen those six matches, including an impressive performance in the 2-0 home win over Swansea City last time out.
Derby’s Christmas programme sees them take on Preston North End at Pride Park Stadium on Boxing Day (3pm kick-off), before heading to Birmingham City (29th December, 5:30pm kick-off) and Sheffield Wednesday (1st January, 5:30pm kick-off).
Rooney is keen to see Derby keep momentum on their side, particularly with games coming around so quickly.
“It’s a busy time of the year and there are a lot of games in a short space of time, like every other week this season,” Rooney told RamsTV.
“It is another great opportunity for us to pick up a lot of points in a short space of time and start moving up the league table.
“That’s obviously what we want to do and we have to manage the players in terms of days off, recovery sessions and how we can keep them all fresh.”
Rooney added: “We have got a very good squad, so I’d be confident putting any of the players in, if called upon.
“The lads have been excellent in training, so if we have to change the starting line-up or matchday squad then I’ll be confident with whichever team I will pick to play.”
Derby were not in action last weekend following the late postponement of their fixture at Rotherham United because of a COVID-19 outbreak in the Millers’ squad.
The match was cancelled less than two hours before kick-off and Rooney admits there was an element of frustration in the Rams’ camp as they were determined to try and continue their impressive recent form.
On the flip side, the 35-year-old hopes Derby can benefit from an expected ten-day break from match action.
Rooney explained: “We had our pre-match meal at the team hotel and we got on the bus to go to the stadium. I got a phone call to say the game was off and did not quite understand what had gone on.
“We went to the stadium because we didn’t have all the information and we got there and was told of the outbreak of COVID-19 and the game had been cancelled.
“For everyone it was disappointing because we had plans for the lads playing the game and those that we planned to feature in the Under-23s game on Monday.
“We had to adjust a little bit but it’s part of football and it’s not an issue from that point of view. We are in a good run of form so it would have been ideal for us to play.
“On the other hand, it maybe gave us a bit of an unexpected break. The lads have played a lot of games over recent weeks and they had a bit of a break to recharge the batteries and get ready for the next set of games coming up over Christmas.”
He added: “I’m sure we can fit the Rotherham game in somewhere down the line, which isn’t ideal, but it is what it is.
“I’m sure a lot of teams in the league will have to re-organise fixtures over the next few months.”
