Stubbs leads the way for Rams

Stubbs leads the way for Rams

When Paul Jewell brought Alan Stubbs from Everton in the January transfer window most pundits in the game thought the veteran defender had lost his mind.

He left a club challenging in Europe to join a club heading into the Championship, but the defender has brought a new steel to the backline that has been missing all season.

His experience in the game in the Premier League at Bolton and Everton is something the 36-year-old will never forget and he has told his team-mates at Pride Park to make the most of life in the Premier League – because it may be their only chance.

The Rams look doomed this season after picking up only nine points from 26 games so far but Stubbs has given some advice to his new team mates. He said: “Every player should have his own individual targets.

“I was fortunate enough to play at a good level and some players here will never get the chance to play at that level again. You’ve got to take your chance while you can.

“It doesn’t always come along and while you’re there, you’ve got to go out and put performances in to try and be part of the gaffer’s plans next season. Or, if not, you should play well enough for another team to come in and buy you.”

Stubbs was outstanding in his Rams league debut at Birmingham and believes the players must continue to improve until the end the season. “We’ve got to get some fire into the season, it’s slipping away,” he said.

“It’s going to be very difficult from now on and people are already looking to next season.

“But we’ve got games to play for and some players might never get the chance to play at this level again.”