Robbie Savage must win over boo brigade

Jan 10 2008 Western Mail

ROBBIE SAVAGE was last night warned he will have to win over the Derby County boo brigade after signing for Paul Jewell’s relegation candidates in a £1.5m deal yesterday.

The retired Wales midfielder is said to have enraged Derby’s fans with the manner in which he celebrated the award of a last-minute penalty while playing against them for east Midlands rivals Leicester.

Even though the incident happened way back in September 2001, Derby boss Jewell accepts some supporters have still not forgotten and that Savage has work to do there.

However, Jewell remains confident Savage will force his critics into a U-turn with sheer force of performance on the field of play for the Premiership basement club.

Savage himself concedes Derby are red-hot favourites to be relegated in May, but believes he can help Jewell’s men bounce back up instantly the following season.

Savage, 33, who chose Derby ahead of Sunderland, Wigan and Fulham has taken a significant pay cut because he wants to play regular first-team football.

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes, Savage’s old Wales manager, could not guarantee that any more at Ewood Park.

At Derby, however, Savage will be one of the first names on Jewell’s team sheet.

And the Derby boss insisted, “If Robbie plays a part in turning this club around, I’m sure supporters will be delighted to have him in a Derby County shirt.

“I know there is a little bit of history, but it seems to be the case with every club Robbie plays against.

“That is part of his character, but hopefully he will have a positive effect on the team and the supporters.

“I’m sure if Mo Johnston can play for Celtic and Rangers, Robbie Savage can play for Derby and Leicester.”

Jewell continued, “I have to tell you, I hated Robbie Savage when he played against me. He is one of those characters you despise when he is playing for the opposition and like when he plays for you.

“I would certainly rather have him on my side than against me.

“He is like a pantomime villain to the opposition supporters, but fans don’t boo bad players.

“We have got to have a little bit of nastiness in the team, a bit of that has been lacking. I don’t mean breaking the rules, I mean we have to be more competitive than we have been.

“With Robbie, hopefully we will have that. When you are losing it is easy to go into your shell, but the likes of Robbie are strong characters.

“He has bags of energy and enthusiasm, but he can play as well. You don’t play at the top level for as much time as he has done if you just go round kicking people.”

Savage broke his leg in January last year and was forced to undergo surgery on a knee injury this season, restricting his appearances for Blackburn.

He will make his debut against Wigan at Pride Park on Saturday and said, “I have taken a pay cut to come and just play football and I am happy to do that.

“Blackburn could qualify for Europe, but I would rather be playing week in week out. I wanted to play first-team football and Mark Hughes couldn’t give me that on a regular basis.

“Of course I was tempted by a move to Sunderland, for a manager like Roy Keane you are going to be tempted. But I just thought Derby and Paul wanted me more and for Derby to pay the fee they have has shown that.

“Paul Jewell also wanted me when he was manager at Wigan and that was a big factor in making me come.”