Derby County boss Paul Jewell says his players need to toughen up.

"We lost to Sunderland with the last kick of the game, conceded in the last five minutes against Newcastle, and then the 90th against Liverpool," reflected Jewell. "That tells you the story that when you are on a losing run like we've been on, you almost get frightened of winning.

"Admittedly we were down to 10 men for the last 15 minutes against Liverpool, so they were tired, but it's a mentality thing as well.

"Both physically and mentally these players are not as strong as they should be. We need a strong mentality that I feel is missing, or not at the level I want it to be. I'm used to players with strong mentalities and standing up to fight.

"But because these players have lost matches, they've lost their way on that. We have to put that right, and we are getting there."

But it is not just mental strength where the Rams are lacking, but a willingness to embrace Jewell's ideas and those of his players.

For too long the players have been stuck in a rut as Jewell added: "As I keep on saying, it's going to be a long haul.

"But we as a group of people are trying to change the players' mentalities, just as any manager stamps his own ideas on things. I'm trying to get them to come round to our way of thinking, and slowly but surely they're doing that."