Derby keep faith in Clough

Nigel Clough will keep his job at Pride Park despite the FA Cup defeat to non-League Crawley (david ashdown)

Derby County have reiterated their support for manager Nigel Clough following Monday's FA Cup third-round defeat to non-League Crawley. It had been thought that Clough, having overseen a run of seven losses in nine games, would be dismissed, but the Championship club's chief executive Tom Glick said the result had to be put into long-term perspective.

"We have been consistent all along. We have the right manager, we have the right plan and we are moving forward – that hasn't changed," Glick said. "We are still in stalking distance of the play-offs. We have a good squad and if we win at Watford this weekend we are right back in the mix.

"Losing to Crawley was a horrendous night, but it's important we keep it in perspective," he added.

Another famous son, Darren Ferguson, has been re-appointed manager of Peterborough United, as expected. Ferguson has signed a four-and-a-half year deal just 14 months after leaving the club, whom he took to successive promotions, amid acrimony. "We've both learned the grass isn't always greener," said Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony of Ferguson's appointment.