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      Derby rushing legal decision over £51m compensation claims from Middlesbrough and Wycombe in desperate race to sell club

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      DERBY COUNTY are going for a fast-track legal decision on the compensation claims of Middlesbrough and Wycombe that threaten their existence.The Rams’ administrators have been in talks with the EFL to solve the snag and are now heading for official arbitration.
      Derby are in a legal battle with Middlesbrough and WycombeCredit: Alamy
      Quantuma are unable to find a buyer until this massive problem is removed.
      A group headed by owner Andy Appleby and the American-based Binnie brothers need to know the result before doing a deal.
      Boro owner Steve Gibson has been chasing for £45million over the loss of a play-off spot and the chance of promotion.
      Wycombe joined in with a claim for £6m in lost revenue when they went down last season as Derby avoided a possible points penalty.
      Both have said they will reduce their initial demands to get a deal done.
      But the administrators want to give them nothing.
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      The EFL are under pressure from the two clubs to make them full creditors and also from HMRC to sort it out as they have accepted a massive hit on their demands.
      The financially-stricken Rams could have been playing their final game of the season against Birmingham City on Sunday if Quantuma had failed to convince EFL chiefs to give them the 11th-hour reprieve.
      With funds due to run out in February, the EFL agreed to grant Derby a one-month stay of execution as three potential bidders continue to compete for preferred bidder status.
      Amid the chaos, manager Wayne Rooney was described by one reporter as the fans’ Guardian Angel for keeping the club safe during turbulent times.
      Rooney – who revealed he turned down Everton’s approaches over their managerial vacancy – said on Friday: “It’s the first time I’ve been called that!
      “I’ve just come off the phone with the administrators and there’s no big update. 
      “We have the extension for another month. That is really it with any information. That is all I know.”
      Wayne Rooney has remained loyal to the Derby cause despite the chaosCredit: PA More

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      Dale Vince reveals plans for Forest Green Rovers’ new WOODEN stadium with care home and hotel built above Roman Villa

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      DALE VINCE has revealed Forest Green Rovers’ plans for an all-WOODEN stadium – with a care home, hotel and nature reserve on site.But construction work can only begin after a huge four-month archaeological dig has taken place on a Roman Villa and artefacts buried below! 
      The new all-wooden stadium will hold 5,000 fans
      The stadium will be the first of its kind in the world
      The site will be located next to Junction 13 of the M5 in Gloucestershire and will include a hotel and care home as well as office space.
      Zaha Hadid beat over 50 entires to build the 5,000-seater stadium for Forest Green
      Vince expects the development to improve the habitat on site by creating more green space with trees, wetland and hedgerows
      Vince, Founder of Ecotricity, and Chairman of Forest Green Rovers, told SunSport: “There’s a villa on site. It’s been known about for quite a while, I’d guess 50 or 60 years.
      “So we’ve got to do a whole bunch of digging around the football pitches just to see if there’s anything else significant in the field that’s not been found before.
      “So far, we’ve found bits of pottery and a couple of coins which are all kind of to be expected near a villa. 
      “It would be amazing to find a mosaic or something, but we probably won’t.
      “Then we can get on to doing the football pitches which should be our first practical piece of building at Eco Park.”
      Green energy company Electrocity are behind the building plans for the club’s new home and an Eco Park on the Gloucestershire base, located next to Junction 13 of the M5. 
      The plans include the first-ever all-wooden stadium, which will hold 5,000, and new training facilities for the men’s, women’s and youth teams under one roof.
      There will also be a care home, 100 bedroom hotel and a nature reserve complete with a new canal. 
      The women, men and youth teams will use the same facilities
      The site is above a Roman villa and artefacts and an archaeological survey and dig has begun
      Forest Green Rovers chairman Dale Vince says the football club’s new home ground will become “the lowest carbon football stadium in the world ever”

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      Vince added: “The pictures of the stadium speak more than 1000 of my words. It looks incredible is all I can say. 
      “Wood is a beautiful material to be around. It’s so warm and lovely. 
      “The stadium will be like nothing else on the planet. And the experience of being in it is just going to be awesome.”
      Developers expect the build will contribute around £150m to the local economy annually while generating £2m per year for Stroud District Council.
      Not only will there be a care home but also a ‘later life care village’. 
      Vince added: “I’ve been in conversation with the District Council and it is something that the district needs and there was room on site for that and so we added it to the plans.”
      There will be a plush nature reserve on site, with more than 2km of new hedgerows, several thousand trees, wetland and the canal will return. 
      The site is also expected to self-generate over 80% of all energy used. 
      Vince also hopes to create an academy for girls to use the training facilities alongside the boys. 
      When asked about all the teams training under one roof, he said: “It is important because at the moment, they all train in different places. 
      “We’ve got a youth set up with a couple of 100 kids in it. We’ve got an academy set up, women’s team and the first team.
      “We want to build a girls youth system as well at the moment because of course it’s all boys 
      “We’ll bring that into the club as well. It’s just important for us all to be in the same place you know as the entire football family at Forest Green Rovers.”
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      Jamille Matt is having the time of his life at Forest Green and wishes he had made the transfer years ago

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      JAMILLE MATT is enjoying the best days of his career at Forest Green.The 32-year-old striker loves the club so much he wishes he had joined them years ago.
      Jamille Matt has been banging in the goals for Forest Green Rovers this season
      Matt has scored 16 goals this season for the League Two leaders, and is the division’s second-top scorer.
      Rovers are seven points clear of second-place Tranmere with a game in hand as they host Carlisle on Saturday.
      And Matt said: “The whole environment we’ve got at the club from top to bottom is excellent.
      “From chairman Dale Vince and director of football Richard Hughes, the manager Rob Edwards, the whole support staff, players and fans. It’s great to be here.
      “We had a good team and squad last season but they’ve brought the manager and a few new players in to build on that.
      “The gaffer has improved every single player, every area of the pitch and made us more ruthless.
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      “He’s made us better individually and as a team and we’re getting the results too so it’s fantastic to be part of.
      “Take the chairman. He trusts the people he’s put in place. The structure is there to be successful.
      “It’s about everyone doing their jobs. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here. And I wish I had started at a club like this at the start of my career.”
      Matt has been promoted from League Two twice – having gone up with Fleetwood in 2014 and Blackpool in 2017 through the play-offs.
      He also suffered the agony of losing a final at Newport against Tranmere in 2019.
      And he feels as though he has some unfinished business in League One and would love to prove himself there with Forest Green.
      WELCOME MATTJAMILLE MATT’S clubs
      Kidderminster (2010-13)
      Fleetwood (2013-16)
      Stevenage (2015-16, loan)
      Plymouth (2015-16, loan)
      Blackpool (2016-18)
      Grimsby (2016-17, loan)
      Newport (2018-20)
      Forest Green (2020-22)

      He said: “I’ve never had a fair crack at League One.
      “At Fleetwood, just as we were about to start the season I did my cruciate and lateral ligaments so missed the first season. 
      “I managed to get back the second season but boss Graham Alexander got sacked and I no longer could get the game time.
      “We won promotion at Blackpool but I tore my hamstring before the end of the season and when I got fit I wasn’t given a chance.
      “In the games I played, I held my own. I’d love to show what I can do with Forest Green.”
      Matt was nominated as the League Two player of the season and this season was awarded the club captaincy.
      He said: “In terms of potency and effectiveness, I’m definitely playing my best football and so honoured to be captain.
      “I want to use all my experience to help the younger boys here – and hopefully I can keep scoring goals to help the team into League One.” 
      Matt believes Forest Green Rovers are an even better side than last season
      Everyone knows that Forest Green are a vegan club – in terms of no meat is allowed to be consumed by the players while on a team duty in training or on matchdays.And although by his own admission, Matt is a “meat eater”, the food served up at the Gloucestershire club has inspired him to eat vegan food at home.He said: “It’s made me much more aware of the choices I’ve been making and the impact on the environment.
      “I’d incorporated more meat-free options in my diet before I came to the club,”But the menu we have at the training ground has inspired me to have three or four days a week meat free. My favourite dish is the vegan spag bol. “There are obvious health benefits and as the oldest player in the squad it’s important to look after my body – and the nutrition side is important.” More

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      Derby takeover: Carlisle Capital launch formal offer to buy crisis-club for £28m asking price

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      Private investment firm Carlisle Capital has made a formal offer to the administrators of Derby to buy the Sky Bet Championship club, according to reports.Sources close to the firm say it has made a full asking price offer in the region of £28million.
      Wayne Rooney finally has positive news in relation to the takeoverCredit: AFP
      The bid, which is understood to be spearheaded by the firm’s vice-president Adam Binnie, has been made fully in the knowledge that the club could face additional liabilities if one or both of the claims against Derby from Middlesbrough and Wycombe are successful.
      It is understood the offer does not include the club’s Pride Park stadium, which is owned by former Rams chairman Mel Morris, report the PA news agency.
      The group walked away after showing initial interest last year but have returned at a time when the club is facing the very real threat of liquidation, having entered administration last September.
      The EFL has asked Derby’s administrators to produce a funding plan by February 1, saying in a statement on Thursday that by the administrators’ own admission, they would run out of cash by the end of the month.
      Administrators Quantum responded by stating they would be able to prove there are funds that could carry The Rams through until the end of the season.
      The EFL has also called on the administrators to name a preferred bidder.
      The claims of Middlesbrough and Wycombe – and whether they would be classed as football creditors and therefore entitled to the full value of any award arising from their legal cases – have added extra complexity to the situation at Derby, but the bid from Carlisle has been made despite that.
      More to follow…
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      Arsenal verdict: Kieran Tierney trapped in fellow Scot Andrew Robertson’s shadow as Liverpool secure Wembley final trip

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      NOT one but TWO Scotsmen on the same pitch contesting a place in a major English cup final. Hooray for Holyrood.OK, it was only the face off between opposing left backs Andrew Robertson and Kieran Tierney in the semi-final second-leg of the Carabao Cup.
      Kieran Tierney was bested by fellow Scottish left-back Andrew Robertson as Arsenal lost to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-finalCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Robertson kept Bukayo Saka quiet throughout in the second-leg at the EmiratesCredit: Getty
      Hardly in the same level of excitement as Graeme Souness, Charlie Nicholas and Kenny Dalgish.
      But it’s still the kind of football milestone that won’t have gone unnoticed north of the border, where putting your boots on the right feet is an excuse for a celebration p*** up.
      Robertson and Tierney often line up together in defence for their national team.
      But at the Emirates it was time to see who handled the occasion better with a place at Wembley up for grabs.
      Liverpool’s crusading and fiery full-back Robertson has lost only one game for club and one for his country this season.
      It might be coincidence but Liverpool didn’t win while he served a three-match ban over Christmas, underlining his influence and importance to boss Jurgen Klopp.
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      He is 25th on the list of Scotland’s all-time greats according to the SFA – sandwiched between fellow tartan illuminaries Andy Goram and Kenny Miller.
      He is embedded in this Liverpool team and cemented into the left back slot for Scotland.
      And he shouldn’t be too concerned about losing it to his Arsenal counterpart anytime soon.
      Where Robertson was vocal, mobile and confident, Tierney struggled to get out of the shadow of an official Scottish legend.
      Tasked with marking rookie winger Kaide Gordon, it should have been a routine night for Tierney to mop up any danger then throw his weight behind waves of Arsenal attacks.
      Particularly with home advantage putting wind in his back after doing the hard bit and grinding a 0-0 draw at Anfield in the first-leg last week.
      It can only have been direct orders from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ordering Tierney to restrain himself and let Gabriel Martinelli do the hard work up front.
      One feeble cross into the box in the first-half and a throw-in near the by-line with 16 minutes to go was the best he could offer going forwards.
      As one of three Gunners defenders closing in on Diogo Jota, Tierney turned away and allowed the Portuguese schemer to stick the ball between his feet en route to the goal with a shot that barely reached the line.
      Robertson meanwhile, did a sterling job keeping Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka quiet on the opposing flank.
      A magnificent block in the first half when the exciting youngster was through on goal, followed by barking a stream of orders at his defence.
      One error early on with a poorly-timed tackle on the exciting England winger led to Alexandre Lacazette grazing the bar with a free kick.
      But Robbo is on his way to Wembley next month and rightly so after an unofficial captain’s performance at the back played a key role in seeing Liverpool through.
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      in Soccer

      Arsenal ratings: Tomiyasu has stinker vs Liverpool as classy Odegaard only bright spark in Gunners’ Carabao Cup defeat

      by

      ARSENAL lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg at the Emirates on Thursday as their Wembley dream crumbled.Takehiro Tomiyasu had an absolute shocker at right-back while Martin Odegaard’s calmness and class in midfield meant he was one of few bright sparks for the home side.
      Martin Odegaard was best of a fairly average bunch at the EmiratesCredit: EPA
      Takehiro Tomiyasu looked miles off the pace and had a night to forgetCredit: Rex
      Alexandre Lacazette hit the bar with a free-kick in the early stages after Bukayo Saka was brought down on the edge of the box.
      And just minutes later Diogo Jota left Tomiyasu for dead before his scuffed effort wrong-footed Aaron Ramsdale and trickled over the line.
      It was a fairly attritional affair for the remainder with neither team creating any huge chances until Jota sealed the win with 13 minutes to go.
      Arsenal lost the ball in sloppy fashion in the middle of the park, Trent Alexander-Arnold looped a trademark ball over the top, and Jota took it on his chest and dinked it over the on-rushing Ramsdale.
      It survived a VAR check that showed Gabriel just played him onside and the Merseysiders cruised to the end without being troubled.
      And here’s what SunSport’s William Pugh thought of the Gunners’ individual performances.
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      AARON RAMSDALE – 6/10
      Couldn’t do much for the first goal as Jota’s mis-hit fooled everyone.
      Huge double save just before the hour mark when he kept Ibrahima Konate’s header out from a corner before blocking Jordan Henderson’s goal-bound effort from the floor.
      Wasn’t to know the England midfielder was offside for the second one.
      Well beaten by a great Jota finish for 2-0.
      Ramsdale could only watch on as Jota put Liverpool aheadCredit: Reuters
      TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU – 3
      Had an absolute stinker.
      Beaten too easily by Jota as the Portuguese whiz dribbled round him to tuck home the opening goal.
      Generally sloppy in and out of possession from then on.
      Booked for tugging back Curtis Jones after he let the Liverpool midfielder nick it off him.
      Jota dribbled round Tomiyasu too easily before he made it 1-0 in the 20th minuteCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      GABRIEL – 5
      Stood up to everything thrown at him.
      Couldn’t be blamed for Liverpool’s opener and then largely saw the game played in front of him.
      Played Jota onside – just – as the winger took it on his chest and sealed Liverpool’s win.
      BEN WHITE – 5
      Solid enough for most of the evening. Couldn’t do anything for Jota’s opener.
      But let the winger past him too easily in the second-half and saw his blushes saved when Kaide Gordon blasted Jota’s pass over the ball.
      Vital block on an Alexander-Arnold cross just past the hour-mark which prevented an almost certain Liverpool goal.
      Ben White and Gabriel could only watch on as Jota’s effort trickled over the line in the first halfCredit: Getty
      KIERAN TIERNEY – 6
      Professional performance. Earned his money.
      Took a whack in the face from Ramsdale in the second-half which was about the most exciting thing involving the Scot all night.
      Kieran Tierney was his usual professional selfCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      ALBERT SAMBI LOKONGA – 6
      Looked a little flustered on occasion as he played at the base of midfield with Odegaard.
      Played a superb ball through to Lacazette which the Frenchman should have scored on 48 minutes.
      No huge impact but OK overall.
      BUKAYO SAKA – 5
      One of his quieter games.
      Struggled against Robertson down Arsenal’s right as Liverpool’s deep defensive block made counter-attacks difficult for the Gunners.
      MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7
      Classy and calm under pressure throughout.
      Played slightly deeper to assist Lokonga and looked a cut above his team-mates.
      The Gunners missed his creative influence further up the pitch where he usually plays.
      Martin Odegaard was a cut above when on the ballCredit: Reuters
      EMILE SMITH ROWE (subbed 73mins) – 4
      The game largely passed him by.
      Fluffed a big chance on the hour mark when a cleared Arsenal corner fell to him on the edge of the box but he blazed over.
      And killed a promising Gunners break with 23 minutes to go when his weak pass to Saka was easily intercepted as Liverpool were on the ropes.
      Understandably hauled off as the Gunners looked for an equaliser.
      GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
      Full of energy and running and had Alexander-Arnold worried on occasion.
      But lacked end product whenever he got into a decent position.
      Beat Alexander-Arnold to force an easy save from Caoimhin Kelleher in the second-half.
      Looked like he was playing better than he actually was. Frustrating for Gooners no doubt.
      ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE (subbed, 73mins) – 5
      His free-kick was destined for the top corner before Kelleher got a finger tip to it and brushed it onto the crossbar.
      Booked for a late challenge on Curtis Jones just before the break.
      Blazed over the bar when played through by Sambi Lokonga early in the second-half.
      Hooked as Mikel Arteta chased an equaliser.
      Lacazette got this free-kick over the wall but it cannoned back off the crossbarCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      ⚽ Get all the latest Arsenal news, updates and transfer gossip with our live blogs
      Subs
      EDDIE NKETIAH (replaced Lacazette) – 5
      Zero impact from the bench.
      THOMAS PARTEY (replaced Smith Rowe) – 3
      Was praised in the build up for turning up at the game straight from the airport where he landed at midday from Afcon duty with Ghana.
      But made Arteta wish he’d stayed in Cameroon when he was shown two quick-fire yellow cards and was sent off with mere minutes remaining.
      The first was shown on 87 minutes before a stupid lunge on Fabinho three minutes later sealed his fate.
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      Supercomputer predicts final Championship table if Wayne Rooney’s Derby had NOT been docked 21 points

      by

      DERBY COUNTY were handed a 21-point deduction earlier this season after entering administration, and given the near impossible challenge of staying in the Championship.But things could have been very different for Wayne Rooney and Co had they not been so far behind almost every other team.
      A supercomputer’s predicted Championship table, WITHOUT Derby’s points deduction
      Rooney has got Derby fans dreaming of survival, despite their hefty points deductionCredit: Alamy
      Reading too were punished with a six-point deduction after breaching spending rules.
      Rooney’s Rams are currently eight points off safety, but a supercomputer at bettingexpert.com has predicted that they would finish as high as NINTH had they not been slapped with the mammoth deduction.
      The prediction, in a world without deductions, has Derby just three places outside the play-offs – and nowhere near the threat of relegation.
      Instead Reading, Peterborough and Barnsley are predicted to fall down to League One.
      Rams fans would have been in for a stress-free season consisting of a mid-table finish, had it not been for their financial woes.
      However in reality with the deduction, Derby are not forecasted to be able to pull off the impossible and avoid the drop.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}LATEST OFFERS.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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      The supercomputer has them to be relegated in second-bottom, ahead of strugglers Barnsley.
      Even managing to not finish at the foot of the table would be some achievement, given the current chaos at the club.
      There is the prospect of the Rams being kicked out of the league mid-season after EFL chiefs demanded proof that the club has funds in bank before February 1.
      After being initially docked 12 points in September after entering administration, a further nine points were chalked off in November after Derby were found to have breached the Championship’s Profitability and Sustainability rules.
      At the time the Rams where a whopping 18 points off safety, and in just two months Rooney has shaved that down to eight, with the possibility of survival on the cards.
      Tom Lawrence’s double at the weekend helped Derby to a 2-0 win over Sheffield United, which would have had Derby 11th in the table were it not for the points deduction.
      The sterling job Rooney has done at Derby has seen the Manchester United legend linked with the managerial role at Everton.
      SunSport exclusively revealed that the former Toffee is on Everton’s list of potential replacements for the axed Rafa Benitez.
      Where Derby would be in the Championship without their 21-point deduction
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      Wayne Rooney’s Derby would be 11th in Championship without massive 21-point deduction from EFL

      by

      TOM LAWRENCE admitted Derby’s odds-defying win was ‘emotional’ after another bad week for the club.But he has no idea whether the Rams squad will be able to stay together this month.
      Wayne Rooney and his Derby squad would be 11th in the Championship without the 21-point deductionCredit: Getty

      Lawrence grabbed two spectacular goals in nine minutes to stretch the crisis club’s unbeaten run to five games and lift them off the bottom  — despite battling a 21-point deduction.
      Without that penalty, Derby would be 11th in the Championship.
      But skipper Lawrence could be a transfer target with Derby — who are still under administration — needing to raise funds, with the situation now out of boss Wayne Rooney’s control and the prospect of the Rams being kicked out of the league mid-season.
      Phil Jagielka and Graeme Shinnie reluctantly moved on in the build-up  when it was revealed a new owner would not be coming in — and the EFL wanted proof of funds until the end of the season.
      But Derby still managed to produce a display which means their unlikely Championship survival bid is still on.
      Lawrence, 28, said: “It’s been tough.  You feel very different things. You feel emotional because there are big players in this group  but I think we showed how professional we are.
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      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      “If we could keep this group together then I think we could do something special — but I don’t know.
      “It’s just a pleasure to play alongside those lads. They give 100 per cent no matter what and I’m just glad that we could put smiles on faces.”
      Rooney knows who the administrators’  preferred buyer was going to be. But compensation claims from Middlesbrough and Wycombe regarding financial irregularities and points deductions respectively  mean new owners are not prepared to move in.
      Rooney, who is one of the favourites for the vacant Everton job following Rafa Benitez’s sacking, said: “That could go on and on — which I suppose is why the EFL are not getting involved in it.”
      Jagielka, 39, joined Stoke at the weekend.
      Tom Lawrence celebrates his second goal in the 2-0 win over Sheffield UnitedCredit: PA
      Rooney said: “Phil’s had clubs offering more money than what we could pay him but he wanted to stay here.
      “I actually told him to turn down a club last week because I was led to believe we could sign him.
      “Thankfully he’s got a club, I’d have felt a lot worse if he hadn’t. Phil knows it was out of my control.” More