Derby County find themselves cut adrift at the foot of the Championship table, without a manager and licking their wounds after a heavy defeat at Middlesbrough last night. 

Wayne Rooney and Liam Rosenior are currently in temporary charge of the Rams, but have seen their side lose back-to-back fixtures at Bristol City and Middlesbrough.

Last night's trip to the Riverside Stadium was grim for those of a Derby persuasion. Britt Assombalonga and Marvin Johnson struck for Boro, with their goals coming either side of a Matt Clarke own goal.

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The Rams had chances to score, but struggled to test Marcus Bettinelli in the Boro goal.

The Athletic's correspondent for Derby, Ryan Conway, moved to look at some of the Rams' key stats from the Riverside revealing that their xG (expected goals) stood at 0.39 and was their third worst of the season. They had only two shots on target and created zero big chances.

The result leaves Derby on six points at the foot of the Championship table with just one win under their belt all season.

Sheffield Wednesday's draw at Swansea City moved them onto seven points, whilst Coventry's impressive win against Cardiff City has left Derby six points adrift of safety after 13 fixtures.

The Verdict 

It's quite alarming the slump Derby find themselves in.

The squad at Pride Park isn't a bottom-three standard and there's clearly some underlying issues with the Rams that mean they just can't quite get it together in the Championship.

These stats underline just how bad it is at the moment and there needs to be a change.

Derby have a chance still of pulling themselves out of trouble, but that change needs to be quick and you can't help but feel that a permanent manager would help.

Thoughts? Let us know!Â