Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson has piled praise on Derby County’s fanbase and also Wayne Rooney for the way that they have handled the off-the-field issues surrounding the club.

Pearson had a brief period in charge of Derby at the start of the 2016/17 season, but things did not work out for him with the Rams and he left the club after just three wins in 14 games.

Rooney has fared better in terms of both longevity and results since taking over as Derby manager.

However, he has also had to contend with issues off-the-field that few managers will have had to deal with at the start of a campaign.

Derby have had their 12 point deduction for entering into administration confirmed now and they have dropped down to the foot of the Championship table.

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There is still the prospect that a further point deduction could be handed to them as well. That would mean that their chances of surviving the drop would be looking very slim at that point.

 

 

Speaking to Bristol Live, Pearson suggested that Derby’s fanbase deserve better than being placed in the position where the club are fighting for their survival now.

While he also praised Rooney for the job that he has done in remaining calm under all of the issues surrounding the club.

He said: "Their fanbase is fantastic. Regardless how I fared there as a manager, they have a very big, loyal fanbase and it's particularly sad when it's going to affect that.

"Its not my place to have opinions on what's happened in terms of why they're in the situation but, what I would say is that Wayne Rooney and his staff have dealt with the situation with a lot of dignity.

"I just looked at the table this morning and saw them on minus two, and I thought, 'wow'. But I'm sure they're looking at it and thinking, if we get three or four results on the trot we're back in the mix.

"I don't know because I've not been in that situation (administration) but I would imagine it's difficult to continue to manage the situation with a bit of balance, but that's what's needed - a calm head."

The verdict

Pearson knows all about what it is like to manage Derby and he, therefore, knows that the club is very well backed by a large passionate fan base.

Even though things did not work out for him during his spell in charge of the Rams it is right that he has insisted those supporters deserve a lot more than what has been allowed to happen to the club this season.

It is also more than fair for Pearson to praise Rooney for the remarkable work that he is doing as Derby manager so far this season.

Rooney has become a major leader for the club on and off the field with the way he has handled things with the staff and players since they were placed in administration.

While he has also been helping his side actually pick up some promising results in the Championship despite all of the issues surrounding the club.

It is difficult to imagine how Rooney could be doing any more than what he is doing at the moment, and he rightly is drawing praise from his fellow Championship bosses.