Rams boss ready for a fight

Rams boss ready for a fight

New Rams boss Paul Jewell insists relegation is not inevitable despite seeing his side beaten for the 13th Premier League game out of 17 at the weekend.

The defeat against Middlesbrough leaves the Pride Park side bottom of the league on just six points and already eight points from safety.

But Jewell told BBC Radio Derby he`s ready to roll up his sleeves and get stuck into the job: He said: 'I've not just come here to see us sit back and accept it.

"We are in a very difficult position but I'm going to do my damndest to get us out of it.'

The 0-1 home defeat to Middlesbrough frustrated many Rams fans but Jewell said he couldn`t fault the effort of his players after they slipped to a seventh consecutive defeat.

Jewell admits the team lacks the quality needed in the top flight but said they are giving him everything.

'It's tough when you're at the bottom of the League but in the last three games and that is all I can judge the players on, we certainly haven't lacked effort,' said the Rams boss.

'We are lacking quality in all areas and that is not a slight on the players, it is fact. The league table will tell you that.

'The players are giving their best. They are trying but we just haven't been good enough so far.'

He added: 'Sometimes when you are down at the bottom, the ball does not bounce your way,' said Jewell. 'If we were up near the top, the wonder goal they scored might have come off his shin or gone over the bar.

'We lost possession in our own half and the next thing, we are picking it out of the net.'

On the plus side for Jewell was the 32,000-plus crowd on Saturday and he praised the loyal Rams fans.

'Once again, they were terrific, and they have been sensational since I have been here,' he said.

'You want to give your crowd a win but the supporters are not daft, they know the players are doing their best but they also know they are up against it.

'I thought, at times, we penned Middlesbrough in and the support and noise of the fans was great but we just didn't get that goal they are desperate for us to get.

'I am disappointed to lose at home and not score but I haven't just realised we are not the best team in the world.'