Some Derby County supporters have taken to Twitter to criticise manager Wayne Rooney’s selection against Coventry City with Jason Knight starting out wide.
The Rams slumped to a 1-0 defeat against the Sky Blues.
Coventry striker Maxime Biamou capitalised on a poor Nathan Byrne pass, allowing the Frenchman to run in on goal and slide the ball underneath Kelle Roos.
Derby then struggled to get back into it, failing to create any clear-cut chances or get in behind the Coventry defence despite largely dominating possession.
Taking to Twitter, some Derby fans felt Rooney got his line-up wrong.
Awful first half from Derby. Waghorn in CM basically. Not touched the ball. Knight wasted out wide. 442 not working. Resting the team Tuesday worked well 🙈 #dcfc
— Matt Archer (@mattarcher03) March 6, 2021
How long are we going to persist with Knight on the left wing? It doesn’t work, he’s wasted out there and the central midfield is weaker because of it. #dcfc #dcfcfans
— Craig G 💙 (@derbadian) March 6, 2021
Poor first half a real lack of creativity in the middle of the park. Knight wasted on the wing. We need to be braver with our passing too many backwards and sideways passes #dcfc #dcfcfans
— Nick (@Dcfcrams1884_) March 6, 2021
What’s the thinking playing knight out wide cause it’s not working get his energy back in the centre and get a proper winger on #dcfc #dcfcfans
— Daniel Tomlinson (@dannyt2901) March 6, 2021
Just not working. Bizarre decisions again. Clear Knight shouldn’t be on the left, clear Waghorn’s role innaffective. Put Knight central over Bird and get Jozwiak on #dcfc
— Chris (@buckers2011) March 6, 2021
No team has to work hard to score against us at the minute! Slow and laboured! Knight wasted out wide (which we know) Bird brightest! #dcfc #dcfcfans
— garry moore (@garrymoore2) March 6, 2021
We are far better with Byrne bombing down the right. Put Knight back in the middle. Let’s get back to the shape that worked #dcfc
— Karl shaw (@KMShaw75) March 6, 2021
Finally, Knight in midfield! You know, his natural position. #dcfc
— Samuel 💙🦎🐏 (@DCFCMiguel13) March 6, 2021
Jason Knight burst onto the scene last season and scored eight goals for Derby.
The Republic of Ireland international has an abundance of energy and determination. However, Knight has seemingly become a victim of his own dependability.
You now what you will get with the Derby youngster. He will put in 100% every game, track runners, clock up the highest number of sprints and refuses to give in.
But his best attributes are arguably off-the-ball. Out wide, Derby lack creativity and wingers who can beat and a fullback and supply crosses. Knight simply isn’t this type of player.
Derby boss Rooney, however, opted to play him on the wing against Coventry, leaving Graeme Shinnie and Max Bird outnumbered centrally while Martyn Waghorn struggled up top.
Knight is far more useful in a midfield three. Waghorn, meanwhile, is more effective out wide. The selection change made little sense, and only hindered Derby’s ability to attack.
Rooney rang the changes in the second half. However, it was a case of too little, too late in Derby’s bid for an equaliser as Coventry comfortably held out for all three points.
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