Don’t let the the jokes fool you - this is killing me, says Jewell

On Sunday morning, his private life was luridly exposed in a national newspaper, the 43-yearold caught on camera indulging in extra-marital activities. So there are problems everywhere for Jewell, who has added just four points to Derby's total in the 12 Barclays Premier League games since he took over as manager.

That is not a position of strength from which to hit the headlines for non-footballing reasons. The pain which followed an unfortunate defeat will have been nothing to the turmoil now engulfing his life.

Jewell, speaking of his inability to change Derby's results, said: "Don't let the jokes kid anyone — this is killing me inside. I can't tell you how horrible it feels.

"I may crack jokes but I'm no comedian. These defeats have really ripped me apart inside. I will not be cracking open any Easter eggs, I'm more likely to be cracking my head open against the kitchen sink. But if I'm walking around with sackcloth and ashes, that's going to transmit itself to the players so that's why I keep up this front with a few wisecracks. It doesn't mean I'm not hurting, or that I don't care.

"I'm not going to hide behind anyone else's deficiencies, the rot had set in before I arrived, but I take responsibility for where we are now. 'A lot of good things are going on at Derby but the most important thing is results. I expected us to take more than four points from the games since I've been here.

"This job takes its toll but if I had gone down with Wigan last season I knew it could have been the end of them in the Premier League. When I go down with Derby, I believe we have the capacity to bounce back."

Jewell will need every ounce of resilience to emerge from a dark period in his life. Everywhere he looks there are massive problems.

There was support on the off-field issue from Derby chairman Adam Pearson, who said: "This won't affect our relationship with Paul at all. Obviously, the story is very old, from six years ago, and it is a private matter for Paul to deal with in the confines of his own family.

"His family life is very important to him and alongside the work he puts into this club, it is the only thing that matters to him. He has worked very hard since he came to Derby and a lot of what he's putting in place behind the scenes can only benefit the club in the future. Hopefully, we will see the fruits of that next season. 'He's very upset today and he'll have to deal with this as he sees fit. We certainly want to give him the privacy to do that."

Jewell's tortured team flickered into life after blizzards had raged across the Riverside Stadium. By then County trailed to a fine, firsthalf Tuncay goal.

Roy Carroll had produced two excellent saves to deny George Boateng and Jeremie Aliadiere but the finish from Derby was strong. Robert Earnshaw will long regret an open goal he missed as he headed wide five minutes from time and there was a poor piece of judgment from Kenny Miller who ignored his team-mates in a great scoring position.

"It's the first time this year that a bit of luck's gone for us," said Boro's Emanuel Pogatetz. "The way things had been going it would have been no surprise had it (Earnshaw's chance) gone in to make it 1-1. It's the first time someone's missed one like that against us, but we should have been further ahead by then. It was still a good result and everyone's happy. It was very important. We were a little bit nervy but that was only because we knew how important the points were. If you look at some of the other results you can see this has been a big step forward for us."

Boro manager Gareth Southgate reflected the pressure he is facing despite three valuable points and strong displays from Stewart Downing and Boateng.

"You don't enjoy the victories too much," he said. "We had an unbelievable week last week; we were flat as a pancake after the FA Cup defeat and then got two results and performances that lifted everybody, whereas today we got over the line and nothing else.

"I'm pleased we got the result but I don't take any huge pleasure out of the afternoon. It was cold, wet and horrible — but the points were crucial for us."