Don Goodman issues bold Wayne Rooney verdict as Derby eye footballing miracle | OneFootball

Sky pundit Don Goodman has said that it would be one of the most remarkable things we’ve ever seen in the game if Wayne Rooney and Derby County can avoid relegation from the Sky Bet Championship.

The Rams have been hammered this season by all manner of issues off of the field but, on it, they are showing more fight and guts than ever before.

Indeed, despite a 21 point deduction they are in with a chance of staying up in the second tier this season and that, frankly, is a mammoth effort from all involved on the playing side of things.

Off the field, questions persist over the very future of the football club but if those involved can follow the example of those on the pitch, then the Rams will be just fine.

Goodman has issued big praise for Rooney, meanwhile, and said it would be a massive achievement if they do avoid the drop:

“We’d be looking at them without the 21 points deduction as an outsider for the playoffs, especially given the vein of form they’re in,” he said to OLBG.

“That’s what makes what they’re doing quite remarkable at the minute because it just seems like it’s one obstacle after another.

“They keep picking themselves up off the floor, getting knocked down again and keep picking themselves back up.

“This last weekend has been really significant, losing Jagielka and losing Graeme Shinnie for only £35,000 to Wigan.

“More of their best players are likely to be sold, but if they can hold onto their players from now until the end of the season, then the form they’re in and the teams above them are in, they would potentially be in line to do one of the most remarkable things that football has ever seen.

“Wayne Rooney, the players and the day-to-day staff, my heart goes out to them because they’re suffering and it’s not their fault.

“It’s a consequence of gross mismanagement from the top of this football club over the last number of years.

“Wayne Rooney is doing an incredible job, there’s a small possibility they might lose him, but I admire him for sticking around.

“In pre-season when he had hardly any players he stayed, and this is someone who doesn’t need the money or hassle.

“He’s invested in this football club and in these players, so I think he’s covered himself in glory and whatever happens between now and the end of the season, Wayne Rooney comes out of this with his reputation massively enhanced both on and off the field.”

Rooney has done a phenomenal job and even if they do go down he’ll deserve huge credit for the fight they have shown.

Derby’s existence is under threat at the moment and there needs to be a solution, which hopefully can be found very soon now.

On the pitch, though, the players are fighting big time for the badge and that has given the fans something to really be proud of in these dark times.

Quiz: Have each of these 25 ex-Derby County players ever played in the Premier League?