Rovers skipper's fury over sacking outburst

Sherwood, who has not yet accepted a new contract despite ongoing talks, was even preparing to check the text of Hodgson's remarks to see if it was worth considering legal action.

But he was guarded about his own comments today, wanting to discuss matters with the club before going any further.

"Managers get sacked for only one thing and that's results," he said.

"But I cannot really say any more at this stage until I have spoken to Brian Kidd."

Rovers made only a brief statement but backed Sherwood's stance.

It said: "Our position is that the board terminated Roy Hodgson's contract after taking into consideration the results from January-November 1998."

In the wake of Hodgson's onslaught, the player's agent, Eric Hall, has also been making more noises about a possible move to Tottenham; the major cause of the strife between Sherwood and the club earlier in the season.

But Ewood chief executive John Williams said: "We are in discussions with Tim about a new contract and Tottenham have not been back in."

Agreement has still to be reached but Sherwood added: "We are not a million miles away."

Hodgson finally spoke out on Jimmy Hill's Sky Sports News programme "The Last Word". His sacking came in the wake of a home defeat by Southampton which put Rovers bottom.

But he said: "The major factor was Sherwood's discontent at not being allowed to go to Tottenham Hotspur.

"Up to that time Tim had done a very good job in captaining the team and was also very supportive to myself and the team and did a good job behind the scenes.

"He became very disenchanted with the club and everything around the place when what he thought was a proposed Tottenham move fell through.

"His discontent, and being such an important character at the club, was able to spread to a lot of the other players who didn't have the strength of character or personality or experience to maybe stand up against somebody who was finding fault with most things. I don't think anybody has the right to come into clubs and start necessarily for their own selfish reasons saying that these players go and these players should stay.

"When you work at a club you try and work for the club's best as I explained to Tim Sherwood on many occasions, much as though I can appreciate being a Londoner that a move back to London could suit you."

Hodgson also criticised the sacking of Derek Fazackerley and defended Kevin Davies, the man he bought for a club record £7.25 million fee.

"The fact that he was sacked as my sidekick was very unfair. I didn't understand why they sacked Derek Fazackerley.

"Kevin's major problem was that he hadn't played football for six months. When he came to us he was very overweight which he admitted. The club never made a reference to 'This is a waste of money' or 'This player isn't good enough.'

"We always thought we'd signed a good player."

And Hodgson admitted he is not pleased when Rovers win.

"I'd like to say yes, but that might be a dishonest answer. They are still the players I brought to the club and worked for a long time with. To some extent you wish them well," he added. Meanwhile, Rovers must put all this behind them at Derby tomorrow as they try to extend their unbeaten run to eight games.

Christian Dailly misses a return to his former club with a thigh injury but Nathan Blake should be available after recovering from a virus.

Kevin Gallacher faces a late test on a calf injury in a bid to link up with another Derby old boy Ashley Ward.

Tim Flowers could be challenging again after coming through a reserve game.

Rovers are expected to choose from: Filan, Kenna, Henchoz, Broomes, Davidson, Gillespie, Sherwood, McKinlay, Wilcox, Ward, Duff, Blake, Dunn, Peacock, Croft, Gallacher, Fettis, Flowers.

The Derbysquad is: Poom, Laursen, Carbonari, Elliott, Prior, Dorigo, Carsley, Eranio, Bohinen, Sturridge, Burton, Hunt, Harper, Stimac, Baiano, Schoor, Hoult.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.