Curtis: We can’t expect applause now if we lose
CURTIS Davies says Derby County fans will be happy to have their club back but expects them to be honest with the players in the coming season if they underperform.
Supporters are waiting for confirmation of David Clowes’ takeover which has experienced further delays due to what is believed to be issues relating to the club’s training ground.
But work is continuing on getting the deal across the line with administrators Quantuma now stating that “a multitude” of paperwork needs to be “executed”.
It is hoped there will soon be a breakthrough that will allow Derby to begin a new era under Clowes and end nine months of uncertainty.
Once it goes through, Derby can then begin to look ahead to next season with renewed optimism under interim boss Liam Rosenior.
And centre-back Davies says that while the supporters will be thankful the nightmare is over, he thinks they will still feel they that the Rams will have a chance of promotion from League One.
“The fans will simply be delighted to still have their football club,” he told Integral Sports Management in an interview.
“That’s the God’s honest truth. A lot of fans at the start, when the club went into administration, would hear there are 10 and 20 parties interested then it’s all of a sudden getting longer and longer.
“It’s being whittled down and then one takeover breaks down and all that kind of stuff.
“I just think the fans will be happy to have their club back. The other side of it is that the fans will see a side that can potentially have a really enjoyable promotion season.
“It’s not the level you want it to be at but if you can get promotion, it’s massive.
“But with that, as much as there will be positivity, I think there almost needs to be that bit of honesty.
“When I first signed for Derby we were chasing play-offs in the Championship and if we were to lose a game at home or be drawing with a lesser team we could be jeered off.
“I think that needs to come back in and I know that sounds silly.
“The crazy thing is that a lot of these young lads that have been in the team haven’t experienced any negativity.
“They’re going to think it’s brilliant, you just play football and nobody says anything.
“But actually, no, when you’re chasing the top and it’s fine margins between first, second and third and a play-off place.
“The club itself is massive. And I think the fact the gaffer is no longer here any more takes the target off our back a little bit more.
“Maybe a lot of managers would have wanted to get one over on
Wayne. But for us, it’s about we want the positivitiy but we need honesty to make sure we are doing our jobs right.
“There’s nothing wrong with losing a game 1-0 if you’ve worked your socks off and maybe the keeper has had a worldy and made 10 saves but if you’re not at it week in, week out, especially at League One level and you expect the fans to clap you off, then you need to have a reality check.
“That’s what we need to remember.”