Derby County vs Middlesbrough preview: Neil Warnock's attacking dilemma, Wayne Rooney's influence and both sides' need for a lift

“It’s a horrible thing being down there,” says the Middlesbrough boss when assessing his side’s upcoming opponents Derby County. “We were talking about it this morning and you can put a good run together and still have problems.”

Thankfully for Boro fans, Warnock has transformed the Teessiders from side scraping at the foot of the Championship to one with aspirations of finishing in a play-off place this term.

The club were only outside the relegation zone on goal difference when chairman Steve Gibson opted to change manager in June last year so, despite a four-match winless run which has left them five points outside the top six, there is a need for perspective.

As he has done in the past, 72-year-old Warnock used his experience and know-how to guide his side to safety last season.

His opposite number this weekend, former England and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney, has been tasked with a similar job at Derby – yet without nearly half as much as time spent in the dugout.

Rooney’s influence

Rooney’s last match as a player actually came against Boro during a 3-0 defeat at the Riverside in November, a result which left Derby bottom of the table and six points adrift of safety.

It was apparent then that Rooney couldn’t realistically operate in a player-manager role - following the sacking of former boss Phillip Cocu - prompting a permanent switch to the sidelines.

To be fair, the former striker, he has made a positive impression since taking charge of the Rams full-time, even if they remain in the bottom three on goal difference.

“The team has played much better without him on the field,” says Jason Straw, co-hosts of the Rams Review podcast.

“There were signs of this last season and this season he missed games due to injury and isolation. We have tweaked the shape and our intensity and style has changed as well.”

Working that shape out may be difficult for Boro, though, as the Rams have operated with a back three and a back four in recent weeks.

“Rooney seems to have settled on a 4-3-3 but recently we have also seen 3-5-2 as well,” adds Cory Hancock, Straw’s co-host for the podcast.

Boro’s attacking dilemma

Warnock has also altered his system this campaign, depending on the identity of the opponents, and now has an array of attacking options following a successful January transfer window.

Boro fans have already seen attack-minded wingers Yannick Bolasie and Neeskens Kebano make their debuts against Norwich and Brentford respectively, while another new signing Nathaniel Mendez-Laing may be fit enough to come off the bench at Derby.

Kebano, who arrived on loan from Fulham, can also play a No 10, which could give the Teessiders a greater attacking option from a central position.

Boro’s midfield trio of Jonny Howson, George Saville and Sam Morsy have given the side extra security against the top teams in the division, the Brentfords and Norwichs of this world, yet it may be time to inject some more attacking impetus.

“We have thought about all sorts of things,” Warnock told the Mail when asked about playing with a more attack-minded player in the No 10 role.

"I think we are just going to have to look around the squad at what we can do against the opponents we are playing against.

“I think there are all sorts of options, four at the back, five at the back, one in the hole, three in midfield, all different permutations come into it now.”

Warnock says his new signings have given everyone a lift, particularly Bolasie, who is a bubbly character at the training ground and has been quick to interact with Boro supporters on social media.

Derby’s players to watch

The aforementioned arrivals allowed Boro to end Patrick Roberts’ season-long loan at the club from Manchester City, allowing the 24-year-old to join Derby in the final stages of transfer deadline day.

Roberts has made just one appearance off the bench for the Rams so far but fans are hopeful he could provide the creative spark they are looking for.

“I see it as a positive signing,” adds Hancock. “I have always liked the look of Roberts and Derby need a creative spark and someone who can unlock defenses. Hopefully, Roberts is that player.”

One player Boro will certainly have to watch out for is experienced striker Colin Kazim-Richards, 34, who is the side’s top scorer with five this season and was brought into the starting XI by Rooney.

"He is exactly what this team needed,” admits Hancock. “His grit, determination and leadership are invaluable to Derby in their current predicament and he is always battling and giving 100 per cent.”

It’s clear then the Rams will provide a far tougher test than the one they posed at the Riverside three months ago.

When asked about the Teessiders in his pre-match press conference, Rooney said: “I think everyone at the club knows that we are in a better place than when we played Middlesbrough in November and can feel that and, most importantly, the players know that.

"I think everyone can see how they play; they play man-to-man, they make it difficult for you and they get in your face.

“We have had some good training sessions to work on how we want to play and to make sure we are ready for that physicality from Middlesbrough, and that man-to-man press, that we will face.”

Given his side’s teetering league position, Rooney will know the value of three points this weekend.

Warnock has been in a similar situation but now finds himself looking up the table as his side look to kick-start their season and push for a play-off place.

Both teams need the points but for very different reasons.

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