Saturday's display at Wigan caused Paul Jewell to break his own rule and criticise the players publicly... you can't really blame him. He didn't name names (and rightly so) but you can be sure he knows exactly who he's talking about and if those players themselves were unaware, you can bet your life they'll know by the end of this week after he's made their lives uncomfortable.

I can understand it if players don't have enough ability. I can understand that the players all want the season to end right now, that many of them have lost confidence and that they're not looking forward to the next game, whoever happens to be the opponents. I could also understand it if some of Paul Jewell's new signings are surprised and disillusioned at the realisation of what a spineless bunch of losers they've joined.

They say one bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch but I'm wondering if a few bad apples in the Rams squad aren't having exactly that effect. They don't seem to want to listen to PJ and his coaching staff or anyone else for that matter because in too many cases, the effort plainly just isn't there. Maybe they should listen to their agents in that case because many of them are going to be looking for a new club in the summer and their current performances aren't exactly enhancing their reputations.

I read today that Craig Fagan is hoping he's not part of the summer cull and that he wants to play for his shirt and stay at Derby. Well, I'm not for a moment suggesting Fagan is one of the "bad apples" (should they exist at all) but I'm glad he's taking that attitude.

Of course, actions speak louder than words so he's got to back those words up with performances out there on the pitch. I'm sure I'm no different to most but all I want to see is a bit of effort and application from everyone.

Not every Premier League team is a worldbeater, there are some pretty unremarkable teams and in addition, any team can have a bad day. There are plenty of occasions where we should have given teams a hard game and there are still games left that are definitely winnable. How about those bad apples (if they exist) having a reality check and putting a decent shift in for once?

Maybe, just maybe they'll make it easier for them to find themselves new clubs in the summer, if that's what they want.

 

© Steve Tickle 2008
Talk about this on the message board.

[ Vote here ]