Wayne Rooney, the Derby County manager, has launched a passionate defence of his players and staff amid more uncertainty off the field at the East Midlands club.
This week has seen administrators fail to name a preferred bidder owing to what they say are "delays beyond their control". Administrators Quantuma have been in place for more than six months now and with just a handful of games remaining there is the real prospect that Derby could finish the season still in ownership limbo.
On the field the side have put up a superb fight against the drop, despite being given two separate points deductions and having hardly any squad depth. Rooney's team are eight points from Championship safety and Saturday's home game with Preston North End is the start of the relegation run-in, with only six more games to follow.
Ahead of the Pride Park clash, Rooney insists he is definitely staying put at a club that he loves - despite all the worries. He said: "I'm finishing this season, 100 per cent. There's no way I'm walking away. I love this club, the fans and the staff and I want that to continue. I need to be able to do my job in a way that allows me to do myself and the fans justice. I have faith that we can stay up, absolutely. Things can change very quickly and it's a big game against Preston. We have to turn performances into wins, starting from tomorrow. That's a pressure the players have to deal with, and they need to deliver."
The Rams have won just one of their last seven matches making their survival bid that much harder. But Rooney remains confident his spirited bunch of players will give it their best shot.
"I have no doubt that the players will keep giving everything for the remainder of the season. It's a tough task but we'll do everything we can to try and take it down to the final game. I still firmly believe that we can stay in this division. Fans, players and staff all feel the same way at the moment. We need the supporters behind us for these final seven games, though. Fans - get behind the players for the 90 minutes, as you have all season, because you really are our 12th man."
Again, Rooney made a plea for a takeover to be pushed through so that he can begin to put plans together for next season. Regardless of what division Derby are in, Rooney says he is currently unable to plan for next season at present. He added: "It's a frustrating situation at the moment and it's difficult for everyone, including the administrators. I can't plan for next season and we need so many players. Staff and players will be lost. It needs sorting now and to be pushed through."
