STUBBS: WATCH US BOUNCE BACK
Despite the disappointment of Saturday's defeat at Wigan, Derby's best player Alan Stubbs has pledged that the Rams will be in great shape by the summer to bounce back into the Premier League.
"You can see why the boss is angry," the defender told RamsWorld after Paul Jewell's return to the JJB Stadium. "As a manager you ask for 100% first and foremost and after that a bit of quality, but I think today he has had to question some of the players' commitment.
"A few home truths came out and players have to take those on the chin, even if they don't like it.
"The players have to give the manager a response because that's what he wants. As professionals we have to look at ourselves and question what we are doing when we cross that line.
"It's not easy being down there but that was a game which we could have won. The pitch was awful but it was the same for both sides and they adapted better.
"I know the manager has said it's going to be an uncomfortable week for us but to be honest it's going to be an uncomfortable 11 weeks. The players at this football club are playing for their futures and we have to stand up and realise that."
Asked if he regretted moving to the Rams from high-flying Everton, Stubbsy said: "I'm playing and enjoying playing so it was the right decision to leave Everton. I'm not enjoying the results but as long as I'm enjoying playing I will go on as long as I can. I don't like getting beaten.
"It's annoying that we are not giving a better account of ourselves. When we cross that line there's nowhere to hide and as a group of players we have to stand up to be counted.
"Knowing the quality of the manager changes will be made whether they are wholesale or whatever and we will bounce back. We all know what our fate is but come the summer we will be ready to come straight back up from the first day next season.
"We only have ourselves to blame if we get a kick up the backside. At this moment the performances individually and collectively aren't good enough."
