From the Derby Evening Telegraph:
| RAMS BOSS HURT BY TEAMS WHO FEAR 'DOING A DERBY' | |
| Date : 10.05.08 | |
The same query will be raised when the winners of the Championship play-offs emerge from the quartet of Hull, Bristol City, Crystal Palace and Watford. Derby County end their fixtures against Reading tomorrow burdened with a sackful of totally unwanted records, including the tag of the worst-ever team in Premier League history. Derby's struggles have left them open to widespread ridicule and Paul Jewell admits it does hurt hearing talk of teams "doing a Derby" when discussion turns to how clubs will fare when they go up from the Championship. "We've been a laughing stock in this league. Every time you put the TV on, people are sneering at Derby County but this is a great football club and is one of the top 10 clubs in the country, in my view," said Jewell. "It's hard work having to put up with the bad press, the sneering, just as it is for supporters. "We've had stick from all those so-called experts who sit on panels and wouldn't dare try to become a manager or a coach. "I think in every life situation you are in, you have to try to learn from it and make the best out of a bad situation. The situation that we're in at the moment, and have been all season, is horrendous for everyone connected with the club - the supporters, players, staff. "We've got to say 'why are we in this situation and how can we get out of it?' Also, 'if we get back in the Premier League, how can we be better?' "In dark days, and there have been loads of them since I've been here, I've asked myself those questions. What's kept me going is that I have great confidence that we will come out of the Championship and be ready for a campaign in the Premier League, where we can have a proper go and be competitive." Derby have gone 31 league matches without a win since their solitary victory over Newcastle United in mid-September. Jewell has yet to taste victory as Rams boss in 23 league games. Not surprisingly, he and the team will be glad to draw a line under the season. "We will - but we have to learn from it," said Jewell. "We have to learn from the mistakes we have made. I intend to put them right next season, because I am hoping to see a different football club, different attitudes, different mentality, a different feeling around the place. "Saying it and doing it are two different things. "I'm going to be honest with all the players. I will speak to them one-to-one and sort out what they're thinking and what I'm thinking. Let's get it really open. There's been something not quite right at this football club and I'm determined to get to the bottom of it. "The only way I know is to win football matches and I haven't won any. I think when you win matches, other things take care of themselves. "What I've got to do is pull everyone together and make this club as one, both behind the scenes and on the pitch. " Jewell has been saying it for many weeks but he would love to give Derby's fans a win before the season ends. He has one last chance tomorrow when Reading visit Pride Park Stadium but the Royals are fighting for their lives. They fill one of the relegation places going into the game and have the same number of points, 33, as Fulham who are fourth bottom and face a trip to FA Cup finalists Portsmouth. Reading coach Kevin Dillon has said if they can not beat Derby, they deserve to go down. The comment has left Jewell far from impressed. "It lacks tact. You would think Reading had been playing Champions League all these seasons instead of down in the Championship and the Second Division, where Derby and Wigan also came from," said Jewell. "People can have an opinion but it's the way you put your opinion across. If they can't beat us and they go down, then they deserve to go down, Kevin Dillon is quite right, but to say it was quite wrong. "It is something I would never do - make a comment about someone else's team unless it's positive." Jewell believes Dillon's comments could work in his side's favour. "The lads have been speaking about it. It's a dangerous game Reading are playing," said Jewell. "I'm glad there's a lot on the game because at least it will be a terrific atmosphere," said Jewell. "I know they have been banking on three points from Derby. Maybe they shouldn't because when you take something for granted in life, it doesn't always happen." |
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