Billy Davies believes he'll be favourite for the sack when Derby kickoff their Premiership campaign next season.
"We'll be the first club tipped to be relegated.
"It doesn't worry me or change my philosophy. It's a challenge and it's a great one. I'm not frightened - I'm excited."
But Davies admits he faces big problems.
He added: "We are already three weeks behind schedule because of the play-offs and that's put us on the back foot."