Davies sets 42-point target to guide Rans to safety

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Ahead of Derby's opener against Portsmouth today the Scot admits he is aiming to reach as quickly as possible the 42 points he believes will guarantee another season among the elite.

Warning: The Rams mean business

Only once in the past decade has that tally not ensured Premier League football - in 2003 when West Ham were relegated on a dramatic final day.

Before a ball has even been kicked in anger, Derby are the bookies' overwhelming favourites for the drop. But that does not worry the tough little Glaswegian, even though he will have to watch the action from the stands this afternoon after being punished for stepping out of line during a game at Southend seven months ago.

He said: 'It doesn't bother me and it doesn't really spur me on.

'Last season we were 185-1 to win promotion and we were the underdogs in the play-off semi-final and the final. Now we are favourites for relegation, but we proved people wrong last season and hopefully we will prove one or two wrong again this season. 'Now 42 points is the amount we have to get.

'I'll be putting up notices everywhere reminding the players of the target. 'It's going to be a long hard season and consolidation is the big word. If we can stay in the division, then the following season will be a whole new ball game. Our spending power will increase.

'How we get the points doesn't really matter, whether we take three off Portsmouth, Manchester United, or whoever. 'Of course, everybody seems to be tipping us to go straight back down. I'm not surprised. When you look at the situation you don't need to be a rocket scientist to make such predictions.'