Stan Ternent has provided an insight into the Rams' challenge next season in a topsy-turvy Championship.

Derby's assistant boss told RamsWorld: "There's a massive difference between the Championship and the Premiership as we've found this season. One of the things you have to do to succeed is to attract better players and that's difficult when they think they might be coming to a club that might struggle. But you just have to enjoy it and do your best.

"The standard in the Championship is pretty good but it's a much of a muchness when it comes to the gap between the teams. There's no-one in the League that looks to have a striking duo that can get 40 goals from their two main strikers the way for example Paul Jewell's Wigan did a few seasons back with Roberts and Ellington. West Brom are probably getting closest to it, but it's unusual for the top teams to be losing as many games as they have.

"We will be expected to do well next season with the other two clubs that come down and whoever just misses out this season will also be expected to do well. The Promised Land is the Premier League and we will be expected to be up there having a good go to get back."

Ternent admits its been a tough assignment since he signed on as Jewell's deputy. "I've never been on a run as long as this without winning a game," he said, "but I understand the reason why.

"At my previous clubs I knew it was possible to play against top clubs and get the team up to beat them in a one-off cup game, but the difference in the Premier League is that you have to do it day in day out and week in week out. Losing is like winning - it's habit forming.

"But the Derby fans have been absolutely marvellous. To be sold out every match is incredible and although we have to take a step back now to take two forward, I'd just ask them to stick with us."

Looking ahead to Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough, he added: "Paul has already spoken to the players about having to generate their own atmosphere this weekend after the high of the United match.

"I quite enjoyed watching us play last Saturday because even though we lost 1-0 we went at it and seemed to enjoy it. It depends how you lose. You can take losing 1-0 against Manchester United after playing to the best of your capabilities, but when you don't perform you have to ask the question why. It's down to the players and they will be well prepared and they need to maintain that level of standard. There's no reason why they shouldn't."

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