Paul Jewell has admitted he expected Derby to put up more of a fight in their relegation battle.
Derby boss thought job would be easier
Paul Jewell has admitted he expected Derby to put up more of a fight in their relegation battle.
Jewell replaced Billy Davies as manager at Pride Park in November but he is still waiting for his first win in the Premier League.
The Rams have collected just 11 points this season and their relegation back to the Championship was confirmed after a 2-2 draw with Fulham last Saturday.
Jewell has been surprised by how poor Derby have been and concedes that he imagined the job would have been slightly easier.
Asked if the task had been as tough as he expected, Jewell replied: "It's been more difficult.
"I think I would have imagined us to be a little bit better than we have been and results to have been better, but that's the way it is.
"I've got to learn from that, be stronger next season and take the club forward."
Great support
Derby chief executive Tom Glick stated earlier this week that Jewell's job was safe and the manager is thankful for the support of the board.
"At the end of the day, if I get sacked, I get sacked. I haven't been looking over my shoulder.
"I've had great support from (chairman of football) Adam Pearson and the
American owners since they've been here.
"They know the difficult situation we are in, they knew the team wasn't good enough.
"I think anyone that's seen us this year knows that we haven't been good enough in all departments.
"It's been a difficult season for everybody but short-term pain for long-term gain is what we are after.
"It's hurting me, not winning a game for 18 matches is horrendous but I knew it would be tough.
"Hopefully if and when we do come back, which will be sooner rather than later, we won't find ourselves in the same situation we do now."
Pathetic aim
With six games remaining time is running out for Jewell's side to overhaul
Sunderland's record points low of 15.
Jewell added: "We want to wipe this season from our memory. We want to learn from the mistakes we have made and try and have a sustained effort for trying to get out of the Championship next season.
"We will try and get as many points as possible, we will try and get if we can past 15 points, which is the lowest total.
"It's a pretty pathetic aim really for the season but that's the only crumb of comfort we've got."
