Defender Cody Drameh says Birmingham City must “roll with it” under Wayne Rooney as they learn to modify their playing style for the new manager.
Blues have got off to a poor start since former Derby and DC United boss Rooney came in, losing their first two games without scoring a goal.
“The gaffer has come in and wants to implement his ideas and we’re taking it in,” Drameh, 21, told BBC Radio WM.
Speaking after Wednesday’s 2-0 Championship defeat by Hull City, which ended Birmingham’s unbeaten home record this season, Drameh said: “It’s going to take a little getting used to. It will take some time but we will get there.
“We just have to roll with it. Whoever comes in and works with us, we have to do the best we can and try to keep improving. And, with the players we’ve got, we can do that.”
Ahead of a tough-looking next three games, when Blues travel to Southampton and Sunderland either side of their next home game against high-flying Ipswich Town, Rooney admits he may have to tone down the attempt to please his owners’ demands to play “no fear” football.
“We’re asking them to play more front-footed when you’re probably more a bit on the back foot,” Rooney said. “We’re asking them to try and take the ball.
“Too many players are too happy to pass the ball and let their team-mate deal with it. That needs to improve. We have to put teams under pressure for longer periods.
“But the Middlesbrough game and this one have helped me see that some players can’t do it, which is fine. It helps me in terms of understanding and adjusting a bit.
“I’m not asking them to change too much from what they are doing but we have to be patient. It’s a big change for them.
“We created a lot of problems for ourselves. We give the ball away too cheaply. But the really disappointing thing for me was that after Hull got the second goal I didn’t see a reaction. That can’t happen again. They’re aware of that.”
For Drameh, Rooney’s arrival has allowed him to work again with highly respected former England full-back Ashley Cole.
“I’ve worked with Ashley Cole in the England Under-21s set-up,” he said. “There’s no better person to take advice from.
“He’s done it at the highest level. He knows what to pass on.”
Although Blues’ attempted new style should give Drameh more work to do, as an overlapping full-back, he says: “That’s my job. It’s not a problem.”
