Struggling Derby travel to Bristol City this weekend as the Championship returns, but much of the pre-match talk has involved matters off the pitch.

Last weekend, Phillip Cocu was sacked as manager of the Rams, with the club sitting bottom of the table after 11 games.

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They had won just one of those, drawing three and losing the other seven.

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The Rams have just six points to their name, and have scored just five goals, conceding 16.

Assistant manager Chris van der Weerden and specialist first-team coach Twan Scheepers have also left the club.

The decision has left Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney and Liam Rosenior in charge, although Rooney is in the mix for the next Everton manager job..

Things have not gone according to plan for Derby so far this season. Picture Credit: © electricegg/123rf

Player-coach Rooney will reportedly be the senior figure, and he will work with former defender Rosenior, who was appointed as a specialist first-team coach last summer.

Goalkeeping coach Shay Given and first-team development coach Justin Walker will also form part of the management staff.

The club are now looking for their ninth manager in just seven years, and they head to Bristol on Saturday afternoon in search of a crucial win to lift spirits and help them climb the table.

Ashton Gate plays host to the intriguing fixture.

Even more worryingly for the visitors is that Dean Holden’s outfit have won their last two league matches.

Bristol sit fifth in the current standings, just two points off leaders Reading. The Robbins won six of their league games, drawing two and losing three.

The home side can be backed at 6/5 to make it three wins in a row. The away side have been given odds of 5/2 to get out of the rut and get back to winning ways.

And a draw between the pair is currently available at 12/5.

Jamie Paterson and Nakhi Wells have been the dangermen for the Robins this season.

The pair have three goals each, and will undoubtedly be looking at Saturday’s game as the perfect opportunity to extend their tallies.

Paterson can be backed at 8/1 to score the opening goal, with Wells available at 11/2.