Seven defeats in a row

Derby County were beaten for the seventh consecutive time on Saturday, in a game many thought they would have a chance of winning.

Paul Jewell hopes for a Christmas present from the Rams board

Despite Paul Jewell's planning and tactical know how (one up front when at home?), the Rams failed to take the upper hand. A well taken goal from Boro leaves the Rams stranded at the foot of the table and with games against Liverpool and Blackburn to come this year there doesn't seem much hope of the Rams survival.

Derby County will equal the unwanted record of eight straight defeats if they can't hold out against the mighty Liverpool on Boxing Day. The reds will want to get back into the groove after suffering a home defeat to Manchester United this weekend, so a new record is very much on the cards after the visit of Blackburn.

Is there any hope on the horizon? Well the Americans may well be in charge early in the new year. The one question that Paul Jewell and most Rams fans will be asking is how much do we have to spend in the transfer market?
Will there indeed be anything and will it help the Rams plight if we throw money at a team that is clearly only good enough for Championship football.

Adam Pearson has intimated that there will not be a bottomless pit for transfers and to be honest I doubt that spending will produce a miracle and save Derby from the drop.
The wise option, as I suspect is already being planned, is to hand Paul Jewell a transfer kitty of sufficent money to bring in three key players into the squad. Who they will be and what positions will be covered is up to the manager but it would give the Rams a solid base for a promotion push next season.

Rob Earnshaw was he worth spending £3.5m on?

Certain players will be going out of the club and the biggest enigma is Rob Earnshaw. many theries have been put forward as to why he has had limited chances to show his talent in the first team. One question that should be asked is why he was bought for a Rams record of £3.5m if he was not fit enough or good enough to command a starting place in a very poor Derby County side.

Well let's all hope that Santa brings Paul Jewell what he needs to take the Rams forward.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Rams fans from Derby County Mad.