Savage looks to put bite into Rams

ROBBIE SAVAGE hopes his hatred of losing will rub off on his new Derby team-mates after he completed his move to the Barclays Premier League’s rock-bottom club for an initial £1.5 million yesterday.

Even optimist Savage accepts he has probably exchanged the chance of UEFA Cup football with Blackburn for next season in the Coca-Cola Championship but insists the Rams can fulfil his longer-term ambitions.

The 33-year-old, who has agreed a two-and-a-half year contract, said: “I’ve never played in a promotion-winning side and I am sure I will at Derby if we do go down this season.

“I have walked away from European football with Blackburn because the manager admitted I might not play as much as I would like. Paul Jewell showed he wanted me and I am delighted to come.”

Jewell’s men currently languish 10 points off survival with 16 league defeats and just one solitary victory from their campaign to date.

And Savage admitted: “I take losing to heart. When I go home after a defeat I don’t speak to the wife for the evening. Honestly, I’m terrible. I just love winning football matches. But realistically if we can win a few more and go down fighting and not with a whimper, that will count for a lot.”

Boss Jewell is also planning raids for former Tottenham star Hossam Ghaly and goalkeeper Roy Carroll before Saturday’s clash with Wigan.

Jewell admits his side have probably missed their chance at survival but his desire to bring in more new blood following the swoop for ex-Newcastle star Laurent Robert bodes well. And Jewell hailed Savage as the player he needs to inject more pride into his beleaguered side, starting against Jewell’s former club this weekend.

Jewell said: “Robbie’s reputation as being battling and competitive doesn’t do his ability as a footballer justice. He’s a really good footballer as well.”

Savage earned a notorious reputation amongst Rams fans during his spell with bitter local rivals Leicester but insists he is relishing the challenge of winning his new supporters over.

“I’ve never been booed by the home fans before and that might happen,” Savage joked. “But seriously I will give my best and thrive on the challenge.”