Derby County boss Billy Davies admits he's favourite for the sack - and that frightens him.

"I will start off the season as the first manager being tipped for the sack - and we'll be the first club tipped to be relegated," he said. "It doesn't worry me or change my philosophy. I'm confident we can do what's necessary to win football matches.

"That won't happen every week because some teams will spend £140million, we'll have spent a fraction of that.

"We were underdogs against Southampton and West Brom in the play-offs. We will very much be underdogs in the Premier League but that's the challenge and it's a great one.

"It does frighten me but I'm excited about what's taking place. We have been behind schedule because of the play-offs and that's put us on the back foot.

"Make no mistake, survival is the objective, 17th place and 40 points then we'll get the champagne opened."