Derby's relegation from the Barclays Premier League could be confirmed against Fulham but manager Paul Jewell is already planning the club's return to the top flight.
The first relegation of Jewell's managerial career is only a matter of when, not if, and Derby will be down if they lose and either Birmingham or Bolton win.
Jewell is still looking for his first league win since he replaced Billy Davies and knows that a Fulham team without an away victory all season gives him a good chance to break his duck.
"I've never had a relegation as a manager and it isn't pleasant," Jewell said.
"But I've had two promotions from the Championship so I know what it takes and I've never been more determined in my life to see a job through as I am with this one.
"I think Fulham will see this as a game they must win but they haven't got a great away record and we should take some confidence from that.
"Our only objective is to get past 16 points for the season but if we do go down against Fulham and come straight back next year, I will settle for that."
Jewell admits the jury is still out on some of his squad but there is no doubt that there will be plenty more comings and goings before next season.
"From next season, there will be no grey areas," he said.
"This will be a vibrant place to come and work but, for me, there are too many grey areas at the moment. I want to make it black and white, just like the colours we play in."
The Rams boss wants to keep the Premier League colours flying over Pride Park for as long as possible but the decision to allow Scotland midfielder Stephen Pearson to join Stoke on loan is another clear sign that the Derby manager is planning next season's campaign.
The former Celtic star could make a permanent move to Stoke in the summer in a deal that would net Derby a guaranteed £1.5million for a player that cost them £750,000.
"Stephen would not have gone if we had any chance of staying up," Jewell added.
"But any money we can save now will go towards helping us come straight back up. He's a decent player but I have to make these decisions for the long term benefit of this club.
"It's a good move for him and it's a good move for us financially. The money we save from him going out on loan will go into the pot to make us better next season.
"It will be ploughed into making a sustained Championship challenge."
Jewell is still looking for his first league win since he replaced Billy Davies and knows that a Fulham team without an away victory all season gives him a good chance to break his duck.
"I've never had a relegation as a manager and it isn't pleasant," Jewell said.
"But I've had two promotions from the Championship so I know what it takes and I've never been more determined in my life to see a job through as I am with this one.
"I think Fulham will see this as a game they must win but they haven't got a great away record and we should take some confidence from that.
"Our only objective is to get past 16 points for the season but if we do go down against Fulham and come straight back next year, I will settle for that."
Jewell admits the jury is still out on some of his squad but there is no doubt that there will be plenty more comings and goings before next season.
"From next season, there will be no grey areas," he said.
"This will be a vibrant place to come and work but, for me, there are too many grey areas at the moment. I want to make it black and white, just like the colours we play in."
The Rams boss wants to keep the Premier League colours flying over Pride Park for as long as possible but the decision to allow Scotland midfielder Stephen Pearson to join Stoke on loan is another clear sign that the Derby manager is planning next season's campaign.
The former Celtic star could make a permanent move to Stoke in the summer in a deal that would net Derby a guaranteed £1.5million for a player that cost them £750,000.
"Stephen would not have gone if we had any chance of staying up," Jewell added.
"But any money we can save now will go towards helping us come straight back up. He's a decent player but I have to make these decisions for the long term benefit of this club.
"It's a good move for him and it's a good move for us financially. The money we save from him going out on loan will go into the pot to make us better next season.
"It will be ploughed into making a sustained Championship challenge."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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