Former Derby player and manager Colin Todd is backing Paul Jewell to guide the club back into the top flight. Last season the Rams were relegated with the lowest ever points total in the Premiership but Todd insists the ex-Wigan boss is the right man for the job at Pride Park.
The two know each other from their days at Bradford City in the early 1990s, when Todd was assistant manager to Frank Stapleton and Jewell was a player. "I know Paul extremely well from my time at Bradford," said Todd. "He was a typical scouser – witty, always had a smile on his face and he wanted to be a winner. I think because he'd been rejected as a player at Liverpool, he came back a bit stronger.
"He had talent as a player so it must have spurred him on. He's got a strong personality – he's obviously learned from people. I think he's got what it takes to get them out of the Championship but it won't be as easy as people think."
Derby's campaign in the Premiership yielded only 11 points but Todd added: "I think Paul will be bitterly disappointed coming to Derby and not winning so many games. But he's made that step into management and done well. You look at his CV, at his track record – he's done well."
As well as managing Derby, 59-year-old Todd also played for County during the glory days of the early 1970s and he admits still having a strong affiliation with the club and its fans. "Derby is a still a special place for me. I can always look back with fond memories and always say I gave the supporters a lot of pleasure in the time I was there as a player."
Meanwhile, new Derby signing Nathan Ellington revealed the opportunity to work with Jewell once again was the major factor behind his decision to join Derby. Jewell previously worked with Ellington at Wigan where the striker netted 59 goals in 134 appearances.
Watford paid West Brom a club record £3.25 million to sign Ellington last August but the 26-year-old struggled to make an impact at Vicarage Road – only managing 18 starts and four goals.
Ellington said: "I'm really excited about this move and looking forward to linking up with Paul Jewell again. It's no secret that the most successful period of my career was spent playing for him at Wigan Athletic.
"He got the best out of me then and when I came to see him the other week he told me he intended to get the best out of me again and get me scoring some goals again.
"I was really impressed with the ambition of both the manager and the chairman and I'm excited about their plans for next season. I know they are looking to rebuild the team here and I'm looking forward to being part of that and playing my part in bringing success here."
