PHIL Brown has only one regret as he reflects on the decision he took in the summer to cut his Reebok ties and accept the task of reviving the fortunes of Derby County.

For a man who boasts a 19-year association with the club, he has adjusted surprisingly well to life without Wanderers.

And, as much as he would love to have played a part in their first European adventure, he has the satisfaction of knowing he helped to get them there.

But he does wince when reminded of the expectations he raised when he arrived at Pride Park, declaring that his target was to do better than former boss, George Burley.

Considering Burley took Derby to the play-offs last season and the Rams are now precariously perched just above the drop zone, it is hardly surprising that Brown chastises himself for his rash prediction.

"It was a foolish comment," Brown said in an honest admission that his natural optimism had got the better of him. "I still believe this club is big enough and has the support that, given a decent run of results, can still get a momentum going.

"But to be banging the promotion drum in my first season was too much too soon. I've learned a hell of a lot in five or six months. In fact, it's been a hell of a baptism."

It was Brown's choice, of course, but one that was prompted by events last season, when he saw the writing on the Reebok wall.

He had often said it would be Allardyce who would tell him when the time was right to branch out on his own.

But, in the end, the decision to cut his Bolton ties came as a result of contract negotiations with Phil Gartside.

During the talks, the chairman made it clear he could offer Brown no guarantees that the top job would be his when Allardyce moved on.

At 46, and having been the Reebok number two for nine years - almost six as Allardyce's right hand man - the highly ambitious assistant manager knew the time was fast approaching when he would have to fly the nest.

He had no idea at the time that he would be offered the Derby job, but he had an inkling he would not be around for Wanderers' European debut.

"The chairman made the decision for me," said Brown, "I'd always planned to move away one day, but suddenly it was made clear that I was not automatically going to be the next Wanderers manager.

"That's how far the club has come in the last few years. When Sam goes, they'll probably be looking for an experienced, successful manager."

Whether Brown will return to Bolton with the necessary credentials may well depend on whether he can check the slide that has seen Derby's early season promise turn into a high pressure situation. The Rams go into Friday night's home game against Midlands rivals, Wolves, without a win in five games and currently lying 19th, just two points above the relegation zone.

"We're not going to harp on about the negatives. The positives are that we're playing very good football - enough to score in every game, which is a club record," said Brown.

"The big problem is that we are conceding too many and that's something we are trying to put right. I just wish we could get a bit of luck in front of goal - at both ends - as I saw Sam get in the Spurs game last week.

"But, if we take a step back, we've achieved a lot. I had to replace five backroom staff when I first came here, lost my best player on transfer deadline day and was left with seven players missing from last year's line-up.

"The way I'm looking at it is that we've got 28 games to go and we're only seven points away from the play-offs."

The energy and enthusiasm with which Brown has approached the management game, has raised eyebrows at Pride Park. But they are gradually getting used to his ways.

"Mine is a 365-day 24-7 mentality," he said. "My staff have to keep telling me to ease up, because they can't keep up.

"But I'm not for slowing down. If I don't succeed, it will not be for the want of trying.

"I'm not going to waste this opportunity."