White-flag crew will be on their way, says Jewell

The Barclays Premier League will perhaps not miss Derby County next season, but it will miss Paul Jewell.

Straight-talking candour is a rarity in modern football, but Jewell is cut from his own cloth. That is why it was easy to sympathise as he laid into his players after their surrender at the JJB Stadium.

'I haven't had too many like that, but that is up there as one of the worst displays I've been involved with,' he said.

'The white flag goes up too easily. Some players have people telling them they're good and they're not. They're not producing it and the sooner we can get people in who can the better.'

Wigan were not in great shape when Jewell joined them in 2002 and he also suffered at Bradford and Sheffield Wednesday. But what he has found since joining Derby this season has shocked him.

'I'd like to think the players do care and they should be embarrassed because we have nine points,' Jewell added. 'When we come up against adversity, we don't have enough character.

'Too many people at Derby, the game doesn't mean a lot to them. It's horrible standing out there on the touchline. Just horrible.'

Jewell did not name names, but there were sub-standard displays throughout his team.

Wigan won through goals from Paul Scharner and Antonio Valencia, but manager Steve Bruce said: 'We won't take our foot off the gas. I'm delighted we've given ourselves a chance but that's all it is.'