Derby Points Deduction: Rooney's Rams heavy odds-on for relegation

Derby County are 1.121/8 to be relegated from the Championship after the club were hit with a further nine point deduction which left them bottom of the table on -3.

Wayne Rooney's team were already bottom but the new penalty makes their chances of staying in the second tier even tougher. They are 18 points from safety.

The club admitted breaching the EFL's profitability and sustainability rules over the sale of Pride Park to former owner Mel Morris.

It means they have now been deducted a total of 21 points. They appealed against a 12-point deduction for entering administration but that was dismissed.

An Agreed Decision has been reached with the @EFL and all proceedings have been concluded.#DCFC

? Derby County (@dcfcofficial) November 16, 2021

When Rooney took over in January, after first playing for the club, his job was to keep them in the Championship.

He achieved that goal and, although many pundits tipped them for the drop this term, he was hoping to steer them clear of danger this season and, eventually, challenge for promotion.

The club haven't played in the third tier since the mid-1980s but this latest deduction means that looks all but certain to the case next season.

In their entire history, Derby have only spent four seasons outside the top two divisions of English football.

The club continues to operate in a dangerous financial state but Rooney has said he will stay with them.

For Rooney, Derby has been a managerial baptism of fire for a player who scored more goals for England and Manchester United than anyone else in their histories.

They haven't won in seven Championship matches, although they have lost on twice on that run. They have won only three times this season but, without the deductions, they would be outside of the relegation zone.

Still, it's a far cry from Rooney's dream of restoring one of England's sleeping giants to the top flight, terrible news for Derby and a boost to the teams - like Barnsley 1.645/8, Peterborough 2.0421/20 and Hull 2.568/5 - that are also trying to avoid the drop.