DOWIE FEARS DERBY WILL RECOVER FROM RELEGATION HANGOVER
Queens Park Rangers fear Derby County are about to come round from their relegation hangover - starting at Loftus Road on Saturday.
Rangers are fourth in the Championship with Derby struggling in 20th spot having been relegated last season with the worst ever top-flight record.
But QPR boss Iain Dowie has the utmost respect for his counterpart Paul Jewell.
The pair, both 43, locked horns five years ago when they managed Oldham and Wigan respectively down in League One.
And Dowie is full of praise for his under-fire old sparring partner.
"Paul is a very good manager and I have a lot of time for him," Dowie said. "He is a training ground manager like I am and he is a passionate man.
"We'll look to share a beer or a glass of wine after the game at Loftus Road, I'm sure."
Jewell has made wholesale changes at the County Ground, and Dowie believes that it is only a matter of time before things click for his former sparring partner.
"The supporters need to give him time to make his mark," Dowie added. "He is getting the staff he wants around him now, and Chris Hutchings is a good NO.2.
"Derby is a very big club with a very big fan base, so Paul doesn't need anyone to tell him about the expectations. They are starting to turn things around and they have posted five points from a possible nine on the board. We know it is going to be a very tough task for us.
"They have spent decent money and brought in decent players, like Rob Hulse. Their current position in the table belies the manager they have and the quality they have in their squad. At the end of the season they won't be far away from where they want to be."
Queens Park Rangers fear Derby County are about to come round from their relegation hangover - starting at Loftus Road on Saturday.
Rangers are fourth in the Championship with Derby struggling in 20th spot having been relegated last season with the worst ever top-flight record.
But QPR boss Iain Dowie has the utmost respect for his counterpart Paul Jewell.
The pair, both 43, locked horns five years ago when they managed Oldham and Wigan respectively down in League One.
And Dowie is full of praise for his under-fire old sparring partner.
"Paul is a very good manager and I have a lot of time for him," Dowie said. "He is a training ground manager like I am and he is a passionate man.
"We'll look to share a beer or a glass of wine after the game at Loftus Road, I'm sure."
Jewell has made wholesale changes at the County Ground, and Dowie believes that it is only a matter of time before things click for his former sparring partner.
"The supporters need to give him time to make his mark," Dowie added. "He is getting the staff he wants around him now, and Chris Hutchings is a good NO.2.
"Derby is a very big club with a very big fan base, so Paul doesn't need anyone to tell him about the expectations. They are starting to turn things around and they have posted five points from a possible nine on the board. We know it is going to be a very tough task for us.
"They have spent decent money and brought in decent players, like Rob Hulse. Their current position in the table belies the manager they have and the quality they have in their squad. At the end of the season they won't be far away from where they want to be."
Labels: Championship, Derby County, Queens Park Rangers
