Adam Pearson, Derby's chairman of football, has dismissed suggestions that Paul Jewell is on the verge of being sacked.

Jewell has come under extreme pressure following the club's poor start to the Coca-Cola Championship season and despite the club's wretched 35 match winless streak Pearson insists Jewell is the man to revive the club's flagging fortunes.

"We know we are in a battle and I have every confidence in Paul, as has club chairman Andy Appleby, and the three of us together are quite resolute in our belief it can be turned around," he said.

"We are not underestimating the disquiet, and we know the supporters are extremely unhappy. All I can say is that we are working as hard as we can to turn it around.

"We have always had full confidence in Paul Jewell and that has not changed in the slightest. We are going to have to be big boys, take the stick and sort it out."

Despite their terrible league form, the recent 1-0 win over Preston in the Carling Cup means they are through to the third round of the competition for the fifth time in seven years.

After the victory Jewell said: "We are not out of the woods, but it is a step in the right direction. As much as you cannot get too disheartened about a couple of defeats in the league, you cannot get too excited about a victory.

"As soon as we win a league game, the monkey will be off our back.

"We can watch as many videos, get as many psychologists as we want, but there is only one way to make confidence and that is by winning football matches," he added.