Derby County manager Wayne Rooney has sent out a defiant message for his players not to panic, despite them running out of time in their bid for a miraculous survival.
The Rams were hit with not one but two points deductions this season for a breach of accounting policies and entering administration. The combined 21-point handicap has understandably hamstrung Derby's attempts to stay in the Championship.
As has become customary with press conferences, Rooney was once again asked for any update on a potential takeover.
The club have been in administration since last September and despite hope of a new buyer emerging, developments remain at a go-slow.
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Today (Monday) is the deadline set by the EFL, in terms of Derby having to prove that they have sufficient funds to fulfil their remaining fixtures this season.
Derby could be liquidated and thrown out of the EFL if they cannot find a buyer by today's deadline.
"Again, no updates on the situation," Rooney said, when quizzed on any progress.
"So, really these are questions for the administrators.
"I am sure at some point, whether that is today, tomorrow, everyone will get an update.
"All the noises late last week pointed to a possible announcement on who is the preferred bidder, but there was no announcement."
On the day of the deadline, Labour has today written to government minister Nadine Dorries calling on her to act now to prevent more clubs from suffering the same fate.
Labour’s shadow culture secretary, Lucy Powell, has written to the culture secretary saying: “Football clubs are more than businesses.
“They’re great sources of pride in our towns and communities” but Derby is “just the most recent example of an historic club facing disaster”.
On the pitch, two successive defeats has not helped Derby's chances of survival and County find themselves eight points shy of safety with just 12 games left to play.
The next of those comes on Tuesday night with a trip to Cardiff City.
Despite the fact games are running out, Rooney remains defiant about the club's prospects.
"Don’t panic was what I told the players after Saturday’s match,” Rooney added.
“Football is a strange game at times and you can look at it in different ways. Ultimately, we lost the game and the whole atmosphere can feel a lot different if you win the game.
“If we had won on Saturday and Reading had won their match at Blackpool, we would have been in the same position as we are today so it’s important not panic.
“We just have to keep trying to pick up points and know things can change quickly. Cardiff are a strong side, a physical one, and I would imagine we will have quite a bit of possession in the game.
“It’s how we use that possession what will be important in terms of how we keep the tempo of the ball and we keep the ball moving quick.”
