Source: Daily_Mail
You've been savaged! Derby skipper Robbie Savage rips into reporter
[LNB]Defiant: Robbie Savage[LNB]As Derby County's season threatens to implode, tensions are clearly beginning to rise.[LNB]Lying 18th in the Championship table, just five points clear of the relegation zone and with three successive home defeats in recent weeks, Pride Park is a difficult place to be at the moment.[LNB]And that friction showed itself in remarkable fashion this week after captain Robbie Savage took exception to criticism on a local radio station.[LNB] The former Wales international was driving home after last Saturday's 4-1 home defeat to Scunthorpe and was infuriated after BBC reporter Colin Gibson suggested there were several players who did not believe Nigel Clough's management team were up to scratch.[LNB] When he was interviewed ahead of last night's FA Cup tie against Millwall, Savage turned the tables on his inquisitor.[LNB]The confrontation became an internet hit yesterday with football supporters listening in their droves.[LNB] After Gibson led off with a question about the Rams' inconsistency, the veteran midfielder had his say. [LNB]Robbie Savage: 'You said on Saturday "I've heard rumours that some of the players don't think the backroom staff are up to the job." Can you substantiate that?' [LNB]Colin Gibson: 'Well, that's what I've heard. Are you saying that's not the case?' [LNB]RS: 'I don't think that's responsible. Why haven't you, or these other people, got the courage to step forwards and name them.'[LNB] CG: 'Because those players weren't named to me.'[LNB] Mauling: Scunthorpe's Garry Thompson celebrates scoring during the 4-1 victory over Derby[LNB]RS: 'You are a local journalist, and you are waiting for us to fail. Every other club I've been at, the locals get behind the team. I've been here two years and I care about this club. I give what I've got. Let me tell you about the backroom staff. Do you know who Johnny Metgod played for?'[LNB]Paniful viewing: Nigel Clough can barely watch Saturday's match[LNB]CG: 'Nottingham Forest.'[LNB]LS: 'And Real Madrid. Real Madrid. Gary Crosby. How many cup finals?' [LNB]CG: 'Four or five.'[LNB] RS: 'That's right. Martin Taylor. Did he play in the Premier League?' [LNB] CG: 'I can remember one appearance.'[LNB]RS: 'That means he played in the Premier League. Andy Garner? Played for Derby. Good lower league player. Let me tell you, they are up to the job. No question in my mind. Not one of the players in that dressing-room doesn't believe that the backroom staff and the manager aren't up to the job. One hundred per cent up to the job. So put that on your radio station.'[LNB] CG: 'Well, clearly it is going on the radio now.'[LNB] Gibson recovered sufficiently from the broadside to continue his questioning with Savage having to concede that recent performances have been found wanting.[LNB] Successive home defeats to Doncaster, Blackpool and Scunthorpe have left the Rams flirting with relegation. [LNB]'All you can do is go out there and try your best and on Saturday and in the last three home games it hasn't been good enough,' Savage added. [LNB]'I'm sure after Saturday's performance the manager would have liked to have got 16 more players and said: "Listen, you lot are not playing against Millwall, I'm going to get my own players in," but he can't, simple.'[LNB] Derby County 1 Scunthorpe United 4: Clough struck dumb by poor displayDan King: I could have been the new Fergie, laments John Gregory[LNB]
