Pride at stake as Derby bid to step up a gear

NIGEL CLOUGH admits he was surprised how poor Derby were in his first game in charge on Saturday — and claims Burton might have done better.

Clough left Blue Square Premier leaders Burton to take charge at Pride Park earlier this month but was given a rude awakening as a Coca-Cola Championship boss as his side crashed 2-0 to QPR.

The defeat was Derby’s third in succession in the league and a sixth in eight games and left them just two points above the relegation zone.