I have had it up to here. You may ask where here is? But if you are a die hard Rams fan then I am sure you know exactly where it is!

As we get respite from the unfolding disaster that is our 08/09 campaign, Derby County sit at the bottom of the Championship table. I doubt that anyone, no matter how negative their outlook would have believed that was possible. Sadly it has become not only possible but a genuine reality.

When Paul Jewell joined the club, the team was in a downward spiral and total disarray. At that point, like most I believed he deserved his chance to prove what he is capable of from the start of a fresh season. So far he has proven only that he is capable of fielding sides nearly totally devoid of spirit, fight and on top of that matched these efforts with similarly lack lustre team selections come match day.

Last season the Rams were so far gone by season’s end fans were promised that the team would hit the ground running. Currently they have not hit, slapped, tapped or even gently rubbed the ground. In fact like 'Mike & the Mechanics' classic tune, they seem to have hit the ground ‘silent running’.

With the extra time available when the Rams Premiership fate was prematurely sealed, management constantly spoke of it allowing them to form a unit capable of gaining promotion at first attempt. So far it seems their unit would not be capable of gaining promotion at any attempt, first or otherwise.

As an Australian I have mentioned in a previous article I may be considered biased in my opinion on Mile Sterjovski. Nationality aside every Rams fan should be dumfounded that he can be a regular first team selection for international duty but still be unable to get on the pitch for a Championship team now rooted at the bottom of the table.

I am not the only person amazed by this news, the Australian media has been happily reporting his fabulous form for Australia in comparison to his lack of first team football for Derby, considering their current plight. There was even a whole segment devoted to the situation on our local league football show this week. Great publicity for the Rams!

I am a sports fanatic. I love Football, Australian Rules, Rugby League, etc, etc... and none of my other teams have given me the grief, frustration or constant disappointment that Derby County have managed to conjure up. My friends have nearly made a game out of constantly beguiling me and the clubs latest folly. Sure it was only a bit over a season ago we were promoted but only the Rams could have so spectacularly botched up that fabulous achievement.

When a team, even one with less than brilliant players is being managed by the right person they inspire their chargers to give blood, sweat and tears to the fight against all odds. Look at Hull and Phil Brown, they are probably no better than the promoted Rams side but already he has squeezed performances, points and more importantly wins from those players. At the moment it seems Rams players are unwilling to even give sweat, let alone blood and tears. Serious questions must land at the feet of those in charge as to why that is the case.

Forget the excuses by a manager and players that included claims that after outplaying Barnsley for 70 minutes they were then unlucky to have the game stolen in the last 20. Frankly neither I nor any fan care that it may or may not be true…. fact is while dominating the team was not good enough to capitalise. If you can’t score while on top then it is possible they never will.

Watching the Championship highlights every week on pay TV has made things even more obvious to me. Some teams are fighting and scrambling for every point they can gain in this league and then there is Derby. A proud club with more history than most could ever dream of, reduced to a laughing stock sitting dead last on the table, underachieving in the most unforgiveable way.

Either Jewell starts to pick the best team available and hope that leads to the club picking up much needed points or. On the other hand he may stick to players he seems to favour (Hulse etc) and just lead Derby and his tenure to a slow and undignified death.

I can only sympathise and give my condolences to the fans that are paying to watch the tripe that has been served up in the last 30 + games. For the first time in my life I am glad I am a world away and unable to waste my money on watching this team. I never thought those words would even cross my mind let alone make this article and the fact it has comes to this is very upsetting.

For many years I have been accused in my articles of blind optimism but the dark sunglasses are well and truly off and in the garbage, the same bin that the game plan has been dragged from. I have had enough of Jewell’s excuses and I have had enough of the team not giving their all when they take the pitch.

With the international break this weekend Derby County will not get a chance to stop the rot. Next week Derby County Football club face the Sky cameras against a Sheffield United team that look likely to challenge for promotion.

With fans already angry and ready to revolt, if the manager and team don’t put in a much improved effort for the Pride Park faithful then heads could roll very shortly after.

Photo: Action Images

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