By Joel Crosskill

IN THE pantheon of the pathetic, the drum roll of the dysfunctional, Derby County - nicknamed the Rams - are on course to enter history's abattoir as the Premiership's poorest performers to date.

With 30 of 38 games already contested this season, Derby have only managed one win and seven draws, with a staggering 21 loses - placing them on a measly 10 points.

In what was another record-setting performance from the Rams, Chelsea's Frank Lampard lampooned Derby with four goals from midfield, a first in premier league history.

Having emerged victorious in the championship play-offs in May, Derby continue to astound with their apathetic approach to life in the premiership.

With the Rams looking like they have strayed from the Championship herd and into the Premiership - without a credible a shepherd for much of the season - Derby fans may well feel fleeced by their team's time in the top flight.

Even their current manager Paul Jewell admits, "We're a million miles away from being a premier league team. We are becoming a laughing stock. We were disgraceful. We were embarrassing."

Laughing stock

Already certain of relegation, Derby are now in a race against time and logic to overtake the previous lowest total posted in a season - 15 by Sunderland in 2005/06.

Jewell admitted Sunderland's tally is an additional motivation but insists that promotion next term is the priority.

"At this moment, Sunderland are the worst team in Premier League history because they went down with a record low number of points," he said. "To get past that has to be our aim. But I'm embarrassed, and I want the players to be as embarrassed and hurt as I am at the results."

One win, 21 defeats, 72 points dropped, 63 goals conceded - it's even embarrassing to type!

Derby may well hang their heads in the halls of shame, but in large part they are a victims of their own success in the championship.

Their ascent to the rarefied atmosphere of the premiership may have given them the bends.

But, now 16 points adrift of safety, Jewell adds: "You have to ask the reasons why we are where we are. Are the players not good enough? Are they not prepared well enough? Are they not fit enough? Are we organised enough?"

The answer: No. To all of the above. Full time!

Contact Joel at jcrosskill@sportsmax.tv