3/1 To Win
Wayne Rooney has insisted the mood is good in the Derby County camp as they approach what he has described as a ‘big’ Easter Weekend.
Derby will face Sky Bet Championship leaders Fulham at Pride Park Stadium on Easter Friday (8pm kick-off) before heading to Queens Park Rangers on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm kick-off).
Rooney’s side, after being impacted with a 21-point deduction this season for entering administration and a historical breach of profitability and sustainability rules, are continuing to fight to remain in the second tier of English football.
They are nine points adrift of safety with five matches left to play and, although the odds are against them, Derby are well versed to taking up a challenge head on.
First up is the visit of Premier League bound Fulham and Rooney has stressed that the visit of the Cottagers is a game his side need to win.
“The mood is good,” Rooney told RamsTV. “The lads have trained well, been energetic and worked really hard so it’s a big game for us.
“We know Fulham are a very good team, they are top of the league, and we go into this one knowing that we need to win.
“There is pressure on us but that’s where we are at; we have to get three points.
“I’m sure by 5pm on Easter Monday, we will know exactly where we are at in terms of if we have got a chance or staying up or we haven’t.”
He added: “We have got a plan of how we want to play and we feel we can hurt them. They are not unbeatable.
“We must be solid; we have to work hard and we know we have to give everything and go into it with that mentality.”
Fulham are on course to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking this term under new boss Marco Silva.
They are ten points clear of AFC Bournemouth in second place and automatic promotion could be confirmed as early as Friday night, should results go their way and then pick up all three points against the Rams.
Aleksandar Mitrovic’s goals have played a key role in hiring the Cottagers to the top of the table and he has netted a staggering 38 goals in 38 appearances in the league.
On Fulham, who Derby held to a 0-0 draw at Craven Cottage in November, Rooney said: “I think they have been clinical this season.
“They have Mitrovic up top and they score a lot of goals, but they are clinical and take their chances.
“They have a big squad of players and they are the best in the league so it is a challenge for us.
“We know that we are coming up against a good team but if we stick to our game plan and what we feel will work for us, and where we can hurt them, then we have a chance.”
