Derby County coach Paul Jewell knows well his side's relegation was horrible. But he is looking forward to revolutionize the team through keeping players who have potential for success, including Hossam Ghaly. The Rams' miserable season was practically finished by a 2-2 home draw with Fulham, which meant demotion to the Championship six weeks before the end. Derby have become the first ever Premiership team to go down before April, with a dismal record of 11 points from 32 games. Jewell, who took over from Billy Davies on November 2007, admitted that relegation was looming since his arrival, but still feels depressed about Saturday's decisive draw. "Relegation has been inevitable for a while, it is horrible to be relegated," he told Sky Sports News. "We put up a fight and played some football and I thought we were unfortunate not to win the game." The former Wigan manager lamented Hameur Bouazza's fluke equalizer, which proved to be the killer for Derby's season. "I think the second goal summed our season up as the deflection knocked the stuffing out of us," he added. "But we bounced back and showed character and probably created more chances than since I have been here." Next Season
Ghaly unlikely to return to Spurs Jewell conceded that the current season is as good as over, but is still hopeful for some consolation before the final day. "The season is obviously dead and buried as far as relegation is concerned," he said. "But if we can get another five points between now and the end of the season then at least it is something to hold on to from a very poor season." The Derby boss has already started planning for next season. "Work has already started for next season and almost started the day I came in," Jewell added. Ghaly Role "We are quite excited about next season, we are looking to bring about eight or nine new players to the squad," he said. "(We want) some real quality in to take us out of the Championship and to the next level." Jewell indicated last week that he hopes to keep on-loan Ghaly on permanent basis as he starts planning for next season. "He (Ghaly) is got brilliant feet, a great footbaling brain and good technique," Jewell said earlier in March. "If Hossam plays like that between now and the end of the season we will be looking to try and keep him. We would be silly not to."