Derby’s season opener witnessed what the media labelled the battle of the ‘greats’, Clough Jnr vs. Ferguson Jnr.  Both promising young managers, burdened with the baggage of their fathers managerial success; the opening game of the season was the ideal opportunity to improve their standing.  Clough was notably the more apprehensive of the two given the fitness concerns of attacking duo Kris Commons and Rob Hulse and the disappointing news Chris Porter would be on the sidelines for the foreseeable future.  Thus, Steve Davies earned himself the lone striker role following his impressive pre-season form.

However it was centre-back Miles Addison, back in the side following an injury plagued finale to the previous season, who opened the scoring, nodding in a headed pass from Jake Buxton.  Paul Green deserved credit for his vision following a delightful ball in from the left.  The width offered by Croft and Teale lead to a first half dominated by Derby, flaunting a passing game one would expect to see at the Emirates rather than Pride Park.  Crucially however, a second goal failed to materialise.

Peterborough battled back valiantly in the second half with Mclean and Mackail-Smith fashioning chances but Derby looked firmly in control.  It took a moment of madness from goalkeeper Stephen Bywater to gift Peterborough a lifeline, needlessly fouling Shaun Batt in the penalty area, duly converted by George Boyd.

Pride Park was momentarily silenced before Gary Teale scored a fortuitous winner, poking the ball under keeper Joe Lewis following a goalmouth scramble.  Kris Commons should have made it three but was exceptionally thwarted one on one by England Under-21 Joe Lewis.

Derby fans can rejoice the club has finally broken the run of failing to win on the opening day of the season, a run stretching back to the victory over Reading in 2002.  Further optimism can be found in the performance of controversial lower league signings Jake Buxton and Dean Moxey.  Both had solid debuts in front of the imposing 33,000 at Pride Park, as did ex-Norwich winger Lee Croft who made a number of threatening crosses in the first half.

Jewell witnessed his side’s defeat after heading the team in the Premiership and Championship for 50 games. With only seven wins from that total, you can understand why Jewell was not feeling to comfortable with his performance as a manager but it just goes to show what little confidence he had in Derby’s ability.

Surely the fact he’s taken the side to a semi-final clash with Manchester United in the FA Cup this season is reason enough to stand by the team.

But obviously, it isn’t. The man has shown his true colours and now leaves Derby in the hands of caretaker boss Chris Hutchings.

There is speculation of four potential replacements for Mr Jewell including Hutchings:

• Burton Albion boss and son of Brian, Nigel Clough
• Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson
• Wrexham boss Dean Saunders

Currently, the favourite is Nigel Clough who is sure to be keen to follow his father’s legacy at Derby. He has proved his ability as a calm, influential manager at Burton who are currently 13 points clear at the top of Blue Square Premier league and fits the Board’s requirements according to reports.

An announcement is likely to be made by the end of the week so fingers crossed the FA Cup clash against Man Utd has positive results before the return leg.