Jewell pins hopes on American dream

PAUL JEWELL admits his hopes of revitalising Derby rest on whether chairman Adam Pearson can convince an American consortium to invest in the club.

Pearson is confident a multi-million euro deal can be completed around the new year, but even by then it could be too late for Jewell.

Christmas might be the time of year for miracles, but right now it is highly unlikely divine providence could spare Derby from almost certain relegation.

The club have taken just six points and scored six goals from 17 Premier League matches to leave them firmly rooted to the foot of the table.

Jewell needs not just two or three new players next month, but an entire 11 because even man-for-man against another struggling side in Middlesbrough, they were inferior.

“It (the American investment) is something Adam sold me on when he first sounded me out about the job,” said Jewell.

“If it does come off, it will be a major boost to us. We will just have to cross that bridge as and when we come to it.”

Pearson has confirmed the American group, who are heavily involved in American football, basketball and baseball, are due to visit the club again this week, with the hope a deal can be concluded.

“Premier League football is beyond local businesses these days. It needs consortiums, it needs a lot of money, and that’s what we are trying to attract,” insisted Pearson. “They see Derby as a club that can become a Premier League force.”

That does not apply this season. It is now seven successive league defeats for Derby, who were undone on Saturday by the one moment of quality in the game as Tuncay stroked home a delicious side-foot volley in the 37th minute.

It was Tuncay’s third goal in as many matches after starting the season on a 13-match scoreless streak after his move from Fenerbahce.

“You just don’t know how long it will take a player to settle in coming from a different league,” said Boro boss Gareth Southgate, whose side have won their last two games to pull away from the relegation zone.

“We are now seeing his quality.”

DERBY (4-4-2): Bywater 6, Mears 5, Davis 5, Moore 6, Griffin 4 (McEveley 29, 5), Teale 5 (Howard 56, 5), Oakley 6, Leacock 5, Barnes 5, Pearson 5, Miller 5 (Earnshaw 74, 5).

Subs Not Used: Price, Lewis.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Schwarzer 7, Young 7, Wheater 7, Woodgate 7, Pogatetz 6, O’Neil 7, Boateng 7, Rochemback 6, Downing 7 (Johnson 89, 5), Aliadiere 6, Tuncay 7.

Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Huth, Lee, Cattermole.

REFEREE: Rob Styles (Hampshire) 7: Nothing controversial to discuss at Pride Park, which is a welcome change where Styles is concerned.

MATCH RATING: ** No game involving Derby this season will be five-star entertainment: they are simply not good enough.