Davies demands Rams effort
12 Nov 2007 - 11:42:18
Derby County boss Billy Davies accepted that his players' heads had gone down during their 5-0 home thrashing at the hands of West Ham United at the weekend.
The Rams are already learning some harsh lessons about life in the Premier League and face a huge task to avoid making a quick-fire return to the Championship.
Davies said after the thrashing: "For the first 20 minutes we had some good opportunities to take the lead, but our final ball and quality when we did break was poor.
"Then we lost that first goal and it was disappointing the way the players let their heads go down too easily.
"We stopped competing and we didn't show enough to get back into the game. The belief and confidence drained from us.
"We have to show more character. We have to be stronger and more determined. In the end it was very much men and against boys."
Of his own future at Pride Park, Davies added in the Evening Telegraph: "Yes, I'm disappointed and hurt. But I'm still very confident and determined.
"I have lost no belief or confidence. I know exactly what we are and what we have to do.
"We will, as a staff, work very, very hard to give the players the confidence required to go and win matches."
