Nigel Clough admits he was surprised how poor Derby were in his first game in charge on Saturday - and claims Burton might have done better.

Clough left Blue Square Premier leaders Burton to take charge at Pride Park earlier this month but was given a rude awakening as a Coca-Cola Championship boss as his side crashed 2-0 to QPR.

The defeat was Derby's third in succession in the league and a sixth in eight games and left them just two points above the relegation zone.

The mood at Pride Park is therefore markedly different from at Burton, who look destined to win a place in the Football League after being put on course by Clough.

The gulf in standard between Derby and Burton remains considerable, of course, but Clough believes his new players could learn something from his former non-League charges.

Clough said: "They know they didn't perform on Saturday but we hope we bottomed out in that department and everything goes up from here.

"There were things going on - we have come from dealing with players three or four leagues down - basic things, that lads at the level we used to be at were better at.

"There wasn't a spark out there and defensively the two goals were very poor from our point of view.

"I've been in a state of shock for the last 48 hours.

"We certainly hoped it would be better than that - but it wasn't, and it we can only get better. If it gets any worse we are all in trouble."

Spirits would lift swiftly if Derby manage to win either of their two huge cup ties this week.

Remarkably, the Rams travel to Premier League leaders Manchester United tomorrow for the second leg of their Carling Cup semi-final looking to protect a 1-0 lead.

A draw would be good enough to secure a trip to Wembley and then they face an arguably even bigger clash on Friday as they host rivals Nottingham Forest - and former boss Billy Davies - in the FA Cup fourth round.

Clough said: "It will be nice to get a break from the league after Saturday, it does seem like the cup competitions have provided some relief.

"But we can't run away from the league form. We're going to be back at that in just over a week's time and that is still the priority for us.

"We don't need a win tomorrow, we only need a draw and then we have a big cup game on Friday. Anything at all would give the players a great boost.

"It doesn't happen overnight. Confidence that has been eroded in 18 months can't be repaired in a week or two. We have got to slowly work at it and try to get a few results."

Kris Commons scored the only goal in the first leg but Derby are not fancied by many bookmakers to repeat the feat at Old Trafford.

United are now firmly installed as Premier League favourites and are expected to put Clough's men back in their place tomorrow, even if Sir Alex Ferguson fields a weakened side.

Clough remains optimistic, however, and said: "We are not sure what side they will put out but we are certainly capable of getting a result there, whether it be a draw to hang onto the lead or whatever.

"It is a long, long time since Derby have been to Wembley. That is the incentive and it should spur everyone on in training.

"We have got to look after the lead - so we won't be playing three up front - but you can't defend for 90 minutes at Old Trafford. When we get the opportunity to go forward we have to.

"We must have an element of a threat going forward in order to try to get us a goal.

"If we could get a goal at any point that would make their job that much more difficult."