Consecutive fixtures don't come much tougher than this as the Rams travel to Chelsea on Wednesday night, then return to Pride Park for the visit of champions Manchester United.

And in a week when both clubs were shock victims of this season's surreal FA Cup, Rams manager Paul Jewell and his team are preparing for the expected backlash.

As Barnsley ripped up the form book on Saturday to beat Avram Grant's star studded squad 1-0, Jewell has stressed that it is expected the cup will throw up these kind of results and that facing Chelsea in the league will be a different kettle of fish.

"The way the fixture list has worked out we play Chelsea and Manchester United in the matter of days, so it will certainly be an interesting week for club - on top season ticket prices being announced," the gaffer said.

"When you go to Stamford Bridge it is always going to be tough as they have a very good home record.

"It is difficult to go to these teams and play good open football - as they are better at it than you - so first of all you have to stop them playing, then be as positive as we can when have got the ball.

"Playing the Chelseas and Manchester Uniteds of this world you have to use, and keep the ball well because if you give them possession too easily they will hurt you.

"They will be smarting after getting knocked out of the FA Cup.

"After Manchester United's result earlier in the day they would have expected to go on and win the Cup.

"They will want to go out and prove something and finish strongly in the league, so it is not going to be easy for us, that's for sure.

"Barnsley did superbly well, they deserved the victory, but like I have said great teams - which Chelsea are - always want to bounce back so we have to be doubly aware.

"I know Barnsley beat Chelsea and Liverpool, but it was the in cup and it throws up these type of results.

"I think the gulf between the Premier League and the Championship is massive, we have proven that this season."

In a week when Derby announced a season ticket price freeze for 2008/09, Jewell has stressed that his team also need to start planning for the coming campaign.

Following a weekend of scouting across Europe, he wants to see a response from his current players and that they finish the season strongly.

"I'm looking for us to finish the season as strongly as possible and start a fresh next season," Jewell said.

"Everything we are doing now is to build for next season.

"From our perspective when we come back for pre-season training in June we want to know where we are going.

"I am trying to have a clear mind of what we want next season and who I want next season.

"The players have got to show to me that they want to be here next season - from now until the end of the season."

One player who will have to do that away from Pride Park - in not to unfamiliar surroundings - is Craig Fagan.

Following the attacker's emergency loan return to Hull, Jewell has not ruled out a pre-season return to the Rams for Fagan - and says that it was a move the player wanted to make.

"Craig Fagan has been terrific for us, he has worked his socks off," added the gaffer.

"He wants to play up-front and there is an opportunity at Hull for him to do that, and it was something he wanted to take.

"I have always said if it is right for the club and the player I will not stand in a player's way. If he wants to go he can go.

"However, that doesn't mean Craig Fagan is out of the picture here for next season, it just means he wants to go and play for Hull at the moment."

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