I began writing my article this week in the future…well for most of you anyway. The clock was about to strike midnight welcoming the 25th of December in Australia but in Derbyshire County everyone was still living in the past.

In recent weeks I have pretty well been holding a loaded article (much worse than a firearm) wondering whether or not to discharge it on Mr Jewell. Earlier in the season I wrote a scathing article on his tactics, team selection and statements in the media. I soon regretted being so quick to judge him as weeks later the Rams had climbed from the foot of the table and were launching themselves at the top six.

Since then injuries and terrible form have seen Derby once again flirt with the bottom three and questions are not just being raised about his management skills but his attitude in the press towards the teams form.

As much as I want him to succeed, I have now made a conclusion about him as a manager. I now feel that (as my father used to say) he is a ‘good time Charlie’. Who Charlie is I am unsure but basically when the going is good and wheels are turning as planned, Jewell seems to be able to make inspired decisions and captain the ship quite well.

On the other hand when injuries struck and the teams form fell in a hole he seems to have had even less answers than he did at the end of last season and earlier in this one. Fans have questioned his bizarre team selections, style of play and rumoured player disharmony in the dressing rooms.

My fellow columnists have covered the conundrum of team selection (or the ‘Powell debacle’ as I like to call it) and I have (at length) discussed the bizarre absence of seasoned professionals like Sterjovski and Pereplotkins. If I were those players I would be flabbergasted as to how you can be seen as a major part of the manager’s plan one minute and not being able to get a spot on the bench in an injury dilapidated team the next. This must be especially frustrating when barely given five minutes on the actual pitch to restore his faith.

The other concern being voiced more regularly is that his comments in the press have been getting more and more detatched and I tend to agree. Often he sounds like he is not responsible for what happens on the pitch and as bemused as the rest of us. To some degree it is understandable being dumfounded by his team not putting in a performance but surely he has more control over this than the rest of us.

He was able to blame Billy for the tail end of last year even though he made quite a few signings himself and then after promises of a new dawn this season, now seems to sprout that the club is in a ‘rebuilding’ phase. If the team falls much further I fear his new spin on things may be that the aim was always to reach the semi finals of a cup competition and avoid relegation, making it sound more like a game mission in FIFA 09.

Poor excuses and a shrug of the shoulders doesn’t cut it when your team selection and style of play sends the wrong signal from the opening whistle. Fans are realistically only a bad result or two away from really getting on his back and the lucky escape against Charlton and a cup run may have bought him the time he is now whittling away at.

For now I will leave the loaded article next to my keyboard and save it for possible future use but I am increasingly concerned by the direction the team is going. The return of some injured players would be a massive boost but I genuinely believe there is sufficient talent available to be providing better performances that we as fans are currently receiving.

Paul Jewell will be judged over the next month and his future at Derby County hangs on his results in the league. In the spirit of the season I wish him all the best (I sincerely do) because Jewell succeeding is good for everyone.

Sadly though if he continues down the seemingly stubborn and blinkered path he is travelling then all the Christmas spirit in the world won’t change a single thing.

When you have a Derby team in desperate need of toughening up and a guy like Roy Keane out of work then things need to improve pretty fast.

To come out fighting on Boxing day would be the ironic but desired response.

On behalf of the whole RamZone team we wish everyone all the best for the festive season. May you and your families have a safe and happy Christmas!

C'mon Ewe Rams, Give us some Ewe-ltide cheer!

Photo: Action Images via Reuters

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