NO SENTIMENT FOR JEWELL
There will be no sense of sentiment for Paul Jewell as he returns on Saturday to the scene of some of his greatest triumphs as a manager.
Jewell's six-year-spell in charge of Wigan Athletic saw him guide the Latics from the middle of Division Two to the top half of the Premier League.
He quit the JJB Stadium hot-seat at the end of last season and heads back in opposition colours for the first time this weekend.
"I'm not really that much of a sentimental guy," he said in his Thursday pre-match interview on RamsWorld.
"I will just look forward to the game, look forward to us going there and putting on a decent show and trying to get three points - no more and no less.
"It's not about me going back there, it is about Derby and about Wigan, two teams trying to get a result.
"Saturday doesn't revolve around me or Steve Bruce, it is about two sets of players trying to get a result on the pitch."
Jewell is still seeking his first victory as Derby manager having picked up just three draws so far.
And he added: "It would be great for that to come on Saturday, not just because it's Wigan but because it is the next game.
"It wouldn't make it any sweeter because it is Wigan - I don't think I have anything to prove to the people there.
"In the first year we were bottom of the league at stages and it wasn't all plain-sailing.
"We had to take a lot of pain before we bounced back and I'm trying to draw experiences from that to try and be strong and help us through.
"It was difficult but it makes you stronger. I can see the future here being bright and hopefully it will be as bright as it became at Wigan."
Also making a return to the JJB Stadium on Saturday is goalkeeper Roy Carroll, who spent four successful years there before joining Manchester United.
Carroll signed for Derby in the January transfer window for an initial deal to the end of the season.
The Northern Ireland international has agreed in principle a new three-year deal to stay at Pride Park - though this is yet to be signed.
Jewell, of course, could have returned before now but declined the chance to take the Wigan job for a second time earlier this season.
"I did consider it but I left for the reasons I gave at the time - I thought I'd taken the club as far as I could," he added.
"I would really have only been going back for money reasons and that wouldn't have been right.
"I was tempted but, and I know people will raise eyebrows, coming here is onoe of the best decisions I have made because I love it here.
"The future is very exciting if we can get it right so I am comfortable with the decisions I have made."
