In the Hot Seat: Paul Jewell - Derby

Paul Jewell must be praying that he plays Sheffield United every week as Derby finally registered their first win of the campaign on Saturday. However, it was especilly significant for Jewell as it was the first league victory for the Rams under his stewardship in 29 gmes during which time they were relegated with the lowest ever Premier League points total. The winless run actually stretched to 37 games as their last taste of the good times came against Newcastle on September 17, 2007. Rob Hulse's winner 20 minutes from time lifted the gloom hanging over Pride Park and for Jewell, it was his first victory since guiding Wigan to safety with a last-gasp victory over the Blades in May 2007.

And as givemefootball discovered ahead of Derby's trip to Swansea tonight, Jewell is hoping this heralds a revival for the club and its long-suffering supporters.

HOW HARD HAS IT BEEN TO BE A DERBY COUNTY FAN OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS?
I think that the supporters have been the most patient anywhere in the world after what they've had to put up with in the last 12 months. What they have had to endure has been painful. Hopefully I can repay them in the long run. The large majority have stuck by me and, hopefully, I can repay them in the long run. They have shown incredible patience, unbelievable. I would like to think they knew when I came last season that Derby County were out of their depth in the Premier League, I don't think there is any doubt about that. Before I got here I think the team had lost 5-0 at home to West Ham, 6-0 at Liverpool and 5-0 at Arsenal, so it was nothing the fans had not seen before in the previous 14 games. Now we have won and you can see what it means to the supporters. You'd have thought we had won the league when you saw the reaction of the fans at the end of the Sheffield United game.

WHAT WERE YOUR FEELINGS AFTER FINALLY BREAKING YOUR DUCK AS DERBY BOSS?
My feelings are a mixture of joy and relief for everyone at the club because it has been painful. It hasn't been nice but I am a big boy and you've got to take criticism on the chin. But I believe that we can now get on a decent run and we will improve as the season goes on. I believed in my own ability and believed that given the right run at it at this level we can be competitive. It is not going to happen overnight. I am not saying we are going to go 20 games undefeated and get promoted but I know this level and I know what it takes, and sometimes it takes a bit of time. We are nowhere near out of the woods, nowhere near the finished article, but it is a start.

DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WERE STARTING TO DOUBT YOUR ABILITY AS A MANAGER DESPITE YOUR RECORD WITH BRADFORD AND WIGAN?
I am a better manager now than I was 12 months ago. I am a better manager now than when I got to a cup final with Wigan, because of the experience I have had. My pride is extremely hurt, massively, but I'm comfortable with myself that I'm doing everything I possibly can. I'm not walking around the house at night humming to myself and shuffling my feet. You have to ask questions about yourself and, yes, I've made mistakes, like I did at Wigan, Bradford and Sheffield Wednesday, because I'm human. But over a period of time, I'll get more decisions right than wrong. I've every confidence in my own ability and my staff, who are terrific, and the players.

HAVE YOU BEEN PLEASED WITH THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE CHAIRMAN ADAM PEARSON?

The support I'e had from the board and Adam Pearson in particular has been fantastic, because if it was a level playing field and we were on the run we are now, I wouldn' be here but those people know it wasn' a level playing field. When I took over, we didn' need snookers, we almost needed a 147 every time we visited the table. I' pleased for him as he has been given a lot of stick but he has stuck by me.This season, we' got to see some improvement but it took me a year to sort Wigan out. Dave Whelan (Chiarman) could have got rid but he stuck with me. I am comfortable with the chairman and if he comes round and I get the call, I'll deal with it.

ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR NEXT GAME AGAINST SHEFFIELD UNITED?
I've only won two League games in more than a year and both have been against Sheffield United. If I played Sheffield United every week, I would be manager of Liverpool! The club means so much to the people of Derby and, hopefully, we can use this win and kick on and give the fans something to be proud of.