The Rams boss is under extreme pressure, despite the 1-0 Carling Cup victory over Preston, following the club's poor start to the Coca-Cola Championship season.

Derby's wretched winless streak has now stretched to 35 league games, but Pearson insists Jewell is the man to revive the club's flagging fortunes.

He told the Derby Evening Telegraph: "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.

"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."

ends