Championship

WAYNE ROONEY has slammed the ‘disgraceful and mindless behaviour’ of a number of Millwall fans during yesterday’s clash with Derby County.
The Rams boss oversaw his first victory as interim manager – but the triumph was overshadowed by a section of Lions supporters booing their own players taking a knee.

Wayne Rooney expressed his disappointment at the scenesCredit: Alamy Live News

Certain fans booed as players and officials took a kneeCredit: Alamy Live News

The occasion marked the first time that Lions fans had been able to attend a home fixture since the coronavirus pandemic struck the UK in March.
But what was supposed to be a joyous occasion was turned sour by the actions of some of his side’s returning supporters.
Players in England’s top leagues have been taking a knee since football’s resumption in June, in order to protest against worldwide racial discrimination.
Rooney, 35, expressed his disappointment at the scenes in an interview with talkSPORT after the match.

And he continued that sentiment with a statement posted to social media on Sunday.
It read: “Yesterday I witnessed disgraceful and mindless behaviour by a large section of the Millwal supporters in the stadium.
“Prior to the match we were aware of the possibility of a planned disruptive response during the taking of the knee in support of the BLM campaign, but nothing prepared us for what we heard.
“I was proud of my players and staff for not letting the fans deter them from continuing to present a positive and important message that taking the knee immediately before the game sends.

Derby star Colin Kazim-Richards raised his right fist in protestCredit: Getty Images – Getty

“The professionalism of the players on both sides throughout the game was a credit to our profession, after such an incident.
“On behalf of Derby County Football Club I want it to be clear to everyone associated with the club that we represent all sectors of the community regardless of colour, gender or sexuality.
“Fans being allowed back in to stadiums is vital for the wellbeing of everybody involved in our sport from fans to players to chairmen to owners.
“It is therefore really important that the vast majority of us show respect and support each other and do not tolerate or accept the actions of the mindless few.”
The booing at The Den took place just a day after Millwall had released a statement, signalling their intentions to keep taking a knee before matches until they unveil ‘a new and comprehensive anti-discrimination strategy’ in the New Year.
Millwall star Mahlon Romeo has admitted that he was ‘almost lost for words’ when a section of his own club’s supporters chose to boo players taking a knee prior to yesterday’s match.
After the loss the defender, who has played for the Lions since 2015, told the South London Press: “Today’s game, to me now, has become irrelevant.
“The fans have been let back in – which the whole team was looking forward to. But in society there is a problem – and that problem is racism.

Mahlon Romeo has played for Millwall since 2015Credit: Rex Features

Home boss Gary Rowett felt that his supporters’ actions overshadowed the occasion of fans returningCredit: PA:Press Association
“The fans who have been let in today have personally disrespected not just me but the football club. And what the football club and the community stand for.
“What they’ve done is booed and condemned a peaceful gesture which was put in place to highlight, combat and stop any discriminatory behaviour and racism. That’s it – that’s all that gesture is.
“And the fans have chosen to boo that, which for the life of me I can’t understand. It has offended me and everyone who works for this club – the players and the staff.
“I’m speaking on behalf of myself here – not any of the other players – I want to make that very clear. This is the first time I feel disrespected.
“Because you have booed and condemned a peaceful gesture which – and it needs repeating – was put in place to highlight, combat and tackle any discriminatory behaviour and racism in general.”
Romeo, 25, also accused those booing of ‘spreading hatred’ with their actions.

But if we’re being realistic it made me feel very small and it made me feel personally disrespected
Mahlon Romeo

He continued: “I’m almost lost for words. I don’t know how they thought that would make me feel. I don’t know what they thought taking a knee stood for.
“But I think I’ve explained it simply enough. I feel really low – probably the lowest I’ve felt in my time at this club.
“It’s something I can’t wrap my head around. People will have their beliefs and views, which everyone is entitled to. I’m not trying to stop or contain – but if your beliefs and views oppose a positive change in society then don’t come to a football ground and spread them around.
“If it’s negative, don’t think you can come to a football ground and this is the place where you can spread hatred essentially.
“When fans are booing a peaceful gesture to highlight racism, it naturally makes you ask yourself ‘why am I putting myself through this?’.
“I’m sure not all Millwall fans share the same opinion – it’s a small collection. But if we’re being realistic it made me feel very small and it made me feel personally disrespected.”
Home manager Gary Rowett was also frustrated, with the return of supporters having been overshadowed.

The club do an enormous amount of work on anti-racism and the club do a lot of work in the community and there is some really positive stuff, so of course I am disappointed
Gary Rowett

He said: “I’m disappointed that we are talking about that when we should be talking about the fact we are all back and we want to enjoy the football match again.
“The club do an enormous amount of work on anti-racism and the club do a lot of work in the community and there is some really positive stuff, so of course I am disappointed.”
“Is it (taking a knee) a political message, is it an anti-discrimination message? The players have come out and said they don’t support the political aspect, but they do support the anti-discrimination aspect of it and of course we all do.”
On Sunday morning, Millwall released a statement condemning the actions of their supporters, and announcing their intentions to meet with Kick It Out officials over the coming days ‘in an attempt to use Saturday’s events as a catalyst for more rapid solutions.’

Millwall fans boo their own players on first game back at The Den after they take knee in anti-discrimination row More

FURIOUS Neil Warnock branded Stoke a ‘disgrace’ for making his team change in a ‘pig sty’.
The Middlesbrough boss was angry after claiming his side were given a portable cabin with blocked toilets, leaky showers, no heating and fumes coming in.

Veteran manager Neil Warnock went the full hog with his criticism of the portable cabin Middlesbrough were given at the bet365 stadiumCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Neil Warnock saw his Boro side fail to bring home the bacon after being handed what he called pig-like changing facilitiesCredit: PA:Press Association

Nathan Collins’ first half header earned Stoke the points to move them up to fifth.
But Warnock’s fireworks started at the final whistle when he confronted ref Jeremy Simpson – and had to be separated by club security guards.
Then he unleashed an extraordinary rant as he turned the spotlight on ‘out of order’ Stoke.
Warnock blasted: “We got changed in a pig sty – and the pigs would’ve run away if they’d been there.

“You can’t tell me that was social distancing, we’re so close together in a Portakabin, surely we’d be better in a dressing room.
“We give them everything at Middlesbrough, heat, it’s lovely.
“Our toilets didn’t work, they’re blocked.
“There were fumes coming in, we had to get security out, the maintenance.

That was a bloody disgrace… there’s water all over the floor… There’s no way they’ll get a dressing room when they come to our place.
Boro boss Neil Warnock

“We had to ask why there were fumes and why they didn’t look at it before we arrived.
“I can’t blame the result on this, but we took some pictures.
“That was a bloody disgrace, the showers are leaking, there’s water all over the floor.
“I didn’t want to say anything before the game because we didn’t want to make excuses.
“There’s no way they’ll get a dressing room when they come to our place.
“I hope our chairman…. I’ll hire a Portakabin for them if they want.
“And I’ll chuck some water on the floor.
“My dressing room was another Portakabin, 20 yards down the road, water all over the floor. It was freezing.
“It’s out of order, I know we’ve all got a Pandemic, but when you look at the facilities we give teams I’m sure Stoke, from the Premier League, can do better than that.”

Nathan Collins celebrates a winner that was not to be snorted at because it lifted Stoke up to fifth place in the ChampionshipCredit: PA:Press Association
Warnock then explained his post-match tirade at the officials.
He added: “You’re not allowed to go into the dressing room now, with social distancing.
” I think it’s better going on to the pitch and talk to them than waiting for them in the tunnel with security guards.
“I think you get more answers, he thanked me for being so responsible.
“There were one or two things I wanted to ask him.
“Why did he book Bola, and the keeper, yet he said he warned him four times.”

I wasn’t bothered about the physical things. I think their bench was more interested in talking to the officials than us.
Stoke chief Michael O’Neill

But the game ended with Stoke losing THREE players injured in a physical clash – skipper Sam Clucas came off after seven minutes and was joined by Danny Batth and Nick Powell.
Warnock agreed it was a bruising game but said:  “Yes, if you were a poor old Middlesbrough player.
“Early on there should have been more yellow cards issued and it became a bit of a free for all. We’re not as good as Stoke at that.”
Stoke boss Michael O’Neill was already without seven players and said: “There were three players we had to make substitutions for through challenges, but it was a competitive game.

“I’ve not seen the challenges back, you always feel at the time they might be borderline.
“We just came out the wrong side of it.
“I wasn’t bothered about the physical things, I think their bench was more interested in talking to the officials than us.”

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BRISTOL CITY stars wore black armbands against Birmingham in tribute to one of the victims of the Avonmouth explosion.
Luke Wheaton, 16, was one of four people who died in a blast at a wastewater treatment works near Bristol on Thursday.

Bristol City paid tribute to the victims of the Avonmouth blastCredit: Rex Features

We will wear black armbands today in memory of 16-year-old Robins season card holder Luke Wheaton and the other victims of the Avonmouth tragedy, Michael James, Brian Vickery and Raymond White.The #BristolCity family are with you. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gSWJAup5xt
— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) December 5, 2020

The apprentice was a season ticket holder at City along with father Matt.
And players wore black armbands as they lost 1-0 to Birmingham thanks to an 80th minute winner from Harlee Dean.
A club shirt was also paced on his seat in the Section 82 singing crowd before kick-off.
Players also remembered the other three victims of the Avonmouth tragedy.

Michael James, 64, Brian Vickery, 63, and Raymond White, 57, were also killed when a silo that holds treated biosolids exploded.
The sound was described by witnesses as like ‘a bomb’ going off, with vibrations picked up half a mile away.
A source told the Times: “A silo blew up as the men were working on it.
“They have been looking for the bodies and found one 150 metres away in a lake.

“There are four dead and one injured who could walk away from the scene.”
A work pal told Sun Online: “We are one big family, and when something so devastating happens to your colleagues it affects us all.
“We all expect to go to work each day and return home to our families.
“This affects not only our emotions but makes you realise just how it could have happened to any of us.
“My heart goes out to their families and loved ones, and my prayers are with them all.”

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ROOKIE boss Wayne Rooney revealed he has had a pep talk from Sir Alex Ferguson.
The interim Derby manager, still waiting to see if he will be given the job full-time, has spoken to Fergie and another former manager David Moyes.

Wayne Rooney revealed he has spoken to former boss Sir Alex Ferguson about going into managementCredit: Getty – Contributor

He also chatted to his Everton and Man Utd boss David MoyesCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun

Rooney, 35, will not know if he can stay in the role until the club’s Abu Dhabi takeover has finally been completed.
It was due to have gone through this week — but it still had not happened on Thursday, leaving Rooney in charge for Saturday’s trip to Millwall.
Rooney has long made it clear he sees himself going into management.
And he has already taken advice from his former Manchester United boss Sir Alex and another former Old Trafford manager in Moyes, who was also in charge when Rooney burst on to the scene at Everton as a teeanger.

Rooney said: “Yes, I’ve spoken to Sir Al, David and a few other people.
“It was good to catch up, but also to get some advice on certain things.
“It wasn’t about how the team is playing or set up. It was just a general chat, but if you have the chance to be able to speak to Sir Alex Ferguson about things, it’d be a bit naive not to do so.
“David also offered to help me if I needed him which is great.”

Interim Derby manager Rooney, 35, is waiting to see whether he will be given the job full-timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Rooney also lauded former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo after the Juventus star netted his 750th goal in the Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev.
Rooney, who played with Ronaldo at Manchester United, said: “I want to say congratulations because it’s an unbelievable achievement.
“He deserves it. Him and (Lionel) Messi have been the two stand-out players possibly in the history of the game. It’s incredible to score that many goals.
“I’ve seen first-hand the work he puts in and how hard he works to get those goals. It really is incredible.”
Rooney is still searching for his first win since Philip Cocu was sacked.
He takes Derby to Millwall Saturday to play in front of fans for the first time since March.
Even though there will only be 2,000 allowed in, Rooney says he still expects ‘stick’ from the South London crowd.
And he says it is likely he will be able to hear every word aimed at him.

Rooney also congratulated former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, 35, for his 750th career goalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
He said: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s great fans are allowed back in and I’m sure there’ll be a bit of banter.
“I was actually looking forward to going to Millwall last season in front of a crowd. But then Covid happened so it’ll be nice to get fans in this time.
“Fans are a big part of this game and very important, the quicker we can get them back into the grounds, the better for the game itself.
“It’s a challenge to go to Millwall away, those supporters will be excited and want to give their players a lift.
“We have to prepare the players for that and make sure they’re ready.
“I’m sure we’ll be able to hear every word that’s said.
“Hopefully teams like us can get fans in soon – but I’m just delighted some are getting in to see games after such a long time.
“My opinion is if we can get fans into any stadium, let’s get them in.”
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JOHN TERRY reportedly wants to bring Ashley Cole with him if he gets the Derby County job.
Wayne Rooney has been placed in temporary charge of the struggling Championship club with a new takeover consortium set to get control of the Rams.

John Terry reportedly wants Ashley Cole as part of his backroom team at Derby CountyCredit: AP:Associated Press

Former Chelsea captain Terry, currently assistant to Dean Smith at Aston Villa, is one of the front-runners to become Philip Cocu’s permanent replacement.
JT has made no secret of his desire to get into management and has been backed to succeed by his old team-mate and ex-Derby boss Frank Lampard should he land the job.
And the Daily Mirror claims Terry wants to make Cole, who finished his career with the Rams, part of his backroom team.
The report also states MK Dons assistant boss Luke Williams could also be on his radar as part of his staff.

The 39-year-old Cole played nine leagues matches for Derby before hanging up his boots in 2019.
He is now an academy coach at Chelsea and a TV pundit. 
Meanwhile, Rooney has asked for clarity on the situation and wants to stay involved.
Discussing Terry’s potential appointment, Lampard said: “I think it’s a great opportunity potentially for him if it is true, and also for Derby.

“I’ve got a lot of affection for Derby from my time there and I know what a great club it is and what great fans they have.
“John will be a hungry, ambitious manager whether it’s Derby or another opportunity.
“He’s going to be a fantastic coach.”
Derby are currently bottom of the Championship with just eight points from 15 matches.

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DUNCAN WATMORE provided a belated birthday gift to Neil Warnock and perhaps an early Christmas present for himself as Middlesbrough downed Swansea.
The 26-year-old struck both goals, his first for the club, as Boro took the points with a 2-1 win over their play-off rivals.

Duncan Watmore struck twice as Boro defeated SwanseaCredit: Getty

The forward was only signed last month on a deal until January following his release by Sunderland, and he rewarded his manager’s faith with his double-salvo a day after the veteran boss turned 72.
And his match-winning display could be enough to have landed himself a contract extension – although Warnock is refusing to give too much away.
He said: “He’s only had one good game, let’s wait and see.
“We haven’t got anybody like that. He’s responsible, works hard, covers the most ground in training, and he deserved tonight.

“We gave him a round of applause in the dressing-room because he deserves it after what he has been through with horrendous injuries and he’ll go home and be on cloud nine.
“He’s a gem of a lad and we didn’t pay him for a few weeks.
“He got good offers to go away to India, South Africa, all sorts of places, but he said he loved it here.” 
As expected in the meeting of the Championship’s two meanest defences, the contest began like a chess match with neither backline barely giving an inch.

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Finally, in the 19th minute, the game produced its first real opportunity when Jamal Lowe unleashed a fierce low drive that forced Marcus Bettinelli into a save.
Warnock was far from full of birthday cheer after Watmore was penalised for a foul on Marc Guehi moments later, screaming: “Duncan, the linesman is going to flag every time you go near the defender so don’t breathe on him.”
But seconds later he and Watmore were shouting with joy.
Watmore cut in from the left before pulling the trigger from 20 yards – his strike deflecting off Guehi past the outstretched Freddie Woodman.
Woodman then denied Sam Morsy from close-range before Swans boss Steve Cooper made a triple change at the break, and he should have been instantly rewarded.
A mix-up led to Bettinelli spooning a clearance under-pressure from sub Viktor Gyokeres, but the Swede’s delay allowed Fry to deflect his shot over.
Woodman parried a Marvin Johnson long-ranger round the post as the hosts began to pile on the pressure, with the same man also nearly scoring direct from a corner and Morsy denied by a goalline clearance.

Watmore secured the points with his final touch Credit: Getty

Neil Warnock celebrated his 72nd birthday on TuesdayCredit: Getty
But it was Watmore who kept his cool after racing clear on the counter from Paddy McNair’s pass to double the advantage with his final touch before being replaced by George Saville on 78 minutes.
His work was done – but his team-mates were forced into a nervous finish when Yan Dhanda’s deflected strike from the edge of the area gave Swansea some hope with 12 to go.
But their late pressure failed to tell as Boro held on – leaving Warnock wondering Watmore he can expect from his two-goal ace.
Swansea boss Steve Cooper said: “It’s disappointing. Right from the start. There’s not many positives to take out of the game.
“The players know we dropped our standards and fell short.
“We always look at ourselves, and we can’t blame anything other than ourselves tonight as we were well short.”

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