Derby County suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to relegation rivals Rotherham United.
The two teams started the game in the bottom three. The Millers had won just one of nine coming into the game, while Derby were improving under Wayne Rooney.
The announcement of Wayne Rooney as permanent manager this week put an end to doubts and speculation over the vacant Derby job. But it didn’t have the desired effect.
Rotherham’s Jamie Lindsay scored the only goal of the game, bundling in late on.
Paul Warne’s were the better team throughout. They stifled Derby, pressured the fullbacks in possession and forced the Rams to play far too many long balls.
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Wingers Kamil Jozwiak and Martyn Waghorn were ineffective, while the likes of Jason Knight and Krystian Bielik simply couldn’t grow into the game as they were starved of possession.
Matt Clarke, meanwhile, was the only Derby player to play anywhere near his best ability.
The on loan central defender was up against barging forward Michael Smith, and Clarke dealt with him well as he won seven aerial duels while making three tackles.
In possession, Clarke posted an 84.9% pass success rate which was among Derby’s best.
Wayne Rooney will have plenty to ponder following Derby’s defeat. It leaves his side second from bottom while Rotherham have two games in hand.
With Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest and Queens Park Rangers all picking up victories this past week, Derby must now pick themselves up quickly and rediscover some form.
Also see: Lucky escape for Derby as former £2m target Liam Lindsay lined up for Stoke exit
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