Football latest: Derby to earn record?

Despite being caught with his pants-down by a Sunday newspaper and Derby's current lowly position in the Premier League, manager Paul Jewell could well be facing further embarrassment as bookmakers believe the Rams will be relegated with the lowest ever points tally.

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Jewell's side made Premier League history on Saturday when they became the first side to be relegated from the top flight in March. Birmingham's victory coupled with Derby's 2-2 draw against Fulham saw them planning life in the Championship with a full six games still left to play.

Jewell's side have managed just 11 points from their 32 fixtures to date - 13 points behind second-bottom side Fulham - and they are 2/7 to fall short of Sunderland's all-time record points low of 15. Derby need just one win and a draw from their remaining six matches to equal the Mackems' tally, but thay are 5/2 that that tally will prove beyond them.

Derby's current form suggests that the bookmakers are on the mark as Saturday's 2-2 draw at home to Fulham was only the fifth point they have picked up in 18 matches under Jewell, who don't forget was hailed as the team's saviour and a manager who had vast experience of relegation battles. However he has publicly slated his team and tried to distance himself from blame despite the fact that Derby haven't collected three points since a 1-0 win against Newcastle in September.
 
Derby's away record of three draws and 13 defeats offers little hope for tough battles ahead against fourth-placed contenders Everton, West Ham and Blackburn, while they also face a resurgent Arsenal, Aston Villa and Reading at home.

Their last-day match-up against Steve Coppell's Reading side could well represent their best hope of a final Premier League win another if Reading are nor in need of the points themselves to guarantee their survival.

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