Under-pressure manager Phillip Cocu will still be in the Derby County dugout when Nottingham Forest face the Rams on Friday.
The Reds’ arch-rivals have endured a wretched start to the season and slipped to their fifth defeat in six games at Huddersfield Town on Tuesday.
The result has intensified speculation over the future of Cocu, who signed a four-year deal when he succeeded Frank Lampard at Pride Park in the summer of 2019.
But Rams owner Mel Morris has given his public backing to Cocu
In an interview with The Telegraph, Morris has conceded he is “concerned” by results, but highlighted the challenges the Dutchman has faced, including a string of injuries and the absence of captain Wayne Rooney.
“Of course we are concerned about the lack of points, as is the manager,” said Morris.
“But when you look at the cards we’ve been dealt this season, it’s hardly surprising that results have been poor.
“Does he have our support? Yes, we have got to be realistic about the challenges he faces. This is not about a lack of tactics, or effort on the training field, or those things.
“It’s fine margins, and we need to score more goals, and he understands that. But when you’ve had your main strikers injured, and of course with Rooney out with the Covid scenario, these are curveballs you have to be realistic about.
“We’ve seen relatively tight games and lost the last two by one goal. We didn’t get overrun by the other team and against Huddersfield we had a decision go against us which was massive in the game.”
