Jewell embarrassed by defeat

Despairing Jewell looks to next season

Last updated: 12th April 2008

Footballl Premier League Derby Fulham Paul Jewell

Jewell: Upset

Derby boss Paul Jewell was in despair after seeing his hapless side get hit for six by Aston Villa at Pride Park.

The home side started the better but were undone by three goals in 11 minutes from Ashley Young (25), John Carew (26) and a wonder-goal from Stiliyan Petrov (36) who scored from 40 yards after Roy Carroll hit a clearance straight at him and he lobbed the keeper into the top right-hand corner.

Derby were then routed as Villa added second-half goals from Gareth Barry (58), Gabriel Agbonlahor (76) and substitute Marlon Harewood (85).

Asked for his thoughts after the game, a dejected-looking Jewell told Sky Sports: "Despair really, to lose 6-0 at home is embarrassing. For the first 20 minutes we played really well and then once the goal goes in against us, we just go to pieces.

Face responsibility

"It might have been a foul on the keeper (for the first goal), the second might have been offside, it just shows you the gulf in class between the two teams, and as the manager I have to face responsibility and take it on the shoulders so that is what I'll do.

"We have sold 19,000 season tickets already for next season and that's unbelievable considering the stuff they've had to watch so hopefully next season we'll get off to a good start and be doing interviews where we are talking about winning rather than embarrassing defeats."

Jewell admitted he could not have foreseen the 6-0 scoreline coming after 20 minutes.

He added: "We played really well, created one or two opportunities, passed it.

"We're not the biggest team, they're a huge team, (so) don't give free-kicks away, we gave silly fouls away and we got punished."

Commenting on Petrov's wonder-goal after a mistake by Carroll, Jewell said: "We've got the ball, it goes back to our goalkeeper, Roy hasn't had a good day, but that happens to everybody.

"Every mistake we make we get punished for and at this level that's what happens. It's always difficult once you go a goal down but we haven't got enough characters to roll our sleeves up when the going gets tough and that's one of the reasons why we are here.

"I think sometimes you just have to say, it's not easy, that we're just not good enough to be playing at this level and it's finding us out.

"We have got to go to West Ham next week. Week in, week out the supporters have been brilliant and they can only take so much though, so we have to try and get some pride back into the team for the start of next season because that is what it is all about."