BOSS READY TO FOCUS ON NEXT SEASON
Paul Jewell will breath a sigh of relief at the full-time whistle on Saturday - because he will then be able to fully focus on guiding the Rams back to the Premier League.
Relegation to the Coca-Cola Championship was confirmed over a month ago and Derby have limped towards the finish line since.
Jewell has had one eye on next season for a number of weeks but will be able to devote all his attentions to 2008/09 come 5pm on Sunday.
"As soon as the whistle goes on Sunday I will be pleased," he revealed to RamsWorld ahead of the clash with Reading.
"It has been a real testing time for everyone and the last month has been murder - we have been killing time, knowing we're down and knowing that people are ridiculing us.
"We just want to dust ourselves down, stick our chests out and be proud for next season.
"There is no doubt about it, we have let our supporters and ourselves down this season."
Not that there will be much time for Jewell to relax once the season comes to a close.
A manager's lot means the phone is never off, you are in the office for long hours and the mind is never completely diverted away from football.
"I am having a week's holiday with the family and that is it," Jewell said of his summer plans.
"Everything is geared towards next season and that is what we have got to try and do.
"Even when you are on holiday you are not fully on holiday because you have got the mobile phone - it is part and parcel of the job."
Having described "most of the season" as a "whimper", Jewell is keen to sign off on a high against relegation-haunted Reading.
He knows victory would bear little relevance to the Rams' Premier League standing but would be something for the fans to cheer.
Pride Park Stadium is sold out for the seventh successive game as the unflinching support continues right to the death.
"One thing we have had is unbelievable support so if we could just give them something to go home happy with that would be nice," Jewell added.
"I think they are all looking forward to the start of next season but Sunday is important for them because they deserve something to at least go home and cheer about."
