Jewell makes Rams pledge

Jewell: Rams' pledge

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Derby boss Paul Jewell has vowed to fans that his team will give their all - despite having little to play for as the Premier League enters its final phase.

His comments come as the Rams seem doomed to make a swift return to the Championship, with just nine points from their opening 26 league games.

But Jewell is still desperate for results as he wants his side to get more than the 15 points lowest-ever total of any team in Premier League history.

And the Rams could still have a big say as to who drops down with them with games against Wigan, Sunderland and Fulham coming up.

Speaking of the situation, Jewell told the club's official website: "There's no concern to us what other teams do but there is a lot to play for in terms of pride.

"As we go into games against Wigan, Sunderland and Fulham we could have a bearing on what happens to those teams, but that won't affect the way we prepare. All we want to do is do the best for ourselves and get past 15 points.

Most important

"The supporters are the most important factor here because when you have thirty-odd thousand watching you have to be concerned about every result and every performance. Nothing else is acceptable. I'm as desperate for results now as I have ever been."

Jewell added that the club did not spend much in the January transfer window as they prepare for life in the Championship.

He said: "It was always going to be a mammoth task for us to stay up and now it's an almost impossible one, so we have had to take a view in the transfer window not to spend too much money.

"We needed to try to keep things in perspective for next season when we really want to make a concerted effort to get straight back up. Sheffield United have proved there are no guarantees on that but that's what we are aiming for."

Build

He added: "Every manager has his own way of doing things and I don't just want to build a team here, I want to build the club and on the football side I want things to be done a certain way and the way it's done at the moment isn't exactly how I want it to run.

"But by the start of next season when we get all the rules and regulations, do's and don'ts and whys and wherefores in place, we will move forward."