Jewell's confident he can raise his stock
Friday 08 August 2008
Paul Jewell is not frightened by the challenge of turning Derby County’s fortunes round and pointing them back in the diretion of the Premier League.
Derby and Jewell endured a torrid time in the top flight last season.
The Rams were relegated with a record low points total after winning one of their 38 matches.
And Jewell, so successful at Bradford and Wigan, did not win any of his 24 League fixtures after replacing Billy Davies as manager at the end of November.
All eyes are now on the Rams with the new Championship campaign set to start. Will they erase the nightmare of last season or suffer a hangover from their Premier League mauling?
It would be understandable if Jewell were nervous ahead of the big kick off but when asked how he was feeling, he replied: "Nervous? No. Excited? Yes.
"I am not frightened by the challenge. I have been through a lot in my career, some good some bad, but I desperately want to do well for the support I have had here from the chairman and the fans.
"This is the best club I have been at as far as facilities and support is concerned.
“I would love to emulate the success I have had at other clubs here because the club is ready for it and the supporters deserve it.”
Jewell made his name by guiding Bradford and Wigan to the Premiership. They finished 10th in their first season in the top division and reached the Carling Cup final.
Jewell knows last season’s failure to chalk up a victory with Derby does not look good on his record but he remains confident of delivering a successful team at Derby.
“There is pressure on every manager but, at the end of the day, if you can’t deal with pressure – and I have been through a lot over the past year – it is no good being a manager,” said Jewell.
"I believe in myself and I believe given the right amount of time, I can deliver.
"I know my stock might not be as high in some people’s eyes but I would ask them for patience and to give me a fair crack at getting a team and squad together.
“I am pretty sure we can be competitive in this division and hopefully get out of it.”
The Championship is recognised as being fiercely competitive and unpredictable.
West Bromwich Albion won the title last season and Stoke City shocked many by winning automatic promotion as runners up.
Two more surprise guys, Hull City and Bristol City, contested the play-off final with Hull booking the third promotion place.
Jewell expects the division to be just as competitive again.
“There is no outstanding team in it, as we sit here now, there is a much of a muchness, which makes it very difficult,” he said.
"Look at the Premier League, there are probably three teams, maximum four, that can win it.
"In League One, I guess you could probably pick a winner from Leeds, MK Dons, Peterborough and Leicester City.
In the Championship, you can probably name 10 teams off the top of your head and add more to that.
“I believe we have assembled a good squad and I believe we will get better, and that we can sustain a challenge.”