Jewell slams dire Derby
24 Feb 2008 - 11:45:20
Irate Derby County boss Paul Jewell thought his side plumbed new depths in the 2-0 defeat at his former side Wigan Athletic.
The Rams were second-best from start to finish at the JJB Stadium and Jewell was left wondering if some of his players even deserve to be playing in English football's top-flight.
He blasted after the defeat: "It was just dire. There's no getting away from it.
"From first whistle to last we were second best in all departments as there was no desire.
"It's just not good enough, and we're a million miles away from being a proper Premier League team.
"To play like we did today was embarrassing, and not just because I've come back to Wigan, but because Derby deserve better than that.
"A lot of the players don't deserve to be here. I never normally slag players off, but I can't defend the way they've played today.
"They wouldn't win any game at any level playing like that, be it in the Third Division or the Premier League.
"I asked them in the dressing room 'do you want to be part of a team that's embarrassing, a laughing stock?' That's what we're becoming.
"That's the worst display I've ever seen from a so-called Premier League team.
"Somehow we have to get through to the end of the season, and then we have to shape them up or ship them out. That's what it's going to take."