West: Will make his Derby debut against Bradford (Photography/Allsport)

Manager Jim Smith is promising a first Premiership win of the season, against fellow strugglers Bradford City, as his personal thanks for the faith club chairman Lionel Pickering has shown in him.

At the same time, Nigeria defender Taribo West will be making his Derby debut firmly convinced that God has pointed him from Italy's Serie A to lead his new club from darkness into light.

It is, without doubt, one of the most critical fixtures in Derby's recent history as they bid to avoid the worst start in Premiership history, that unfortunate record currently held by Swindon, who went 15 games without a win in 1993-94.

Smith, 60, is acutely aware of the patience Pickering has shown while men like today's opponent, Bradford chairman Geoffrey Richmond, wielded the axe over younger and more inexperienced Chris Hutchings.

Smith said: 'Richmond has been very trigger-happy. He sacked his manager after only 12 games. That was giving him no chance at all and you have to ask why the chairman appointed him in the first place.

'I felt desperately sorry for Chris. He has a career to revive and it's not going to be easy for him, with this reputation of being chopped after only a dozen games, hanging over him.

'My chairman has been far more considerate and sensible. It cannot have been easy for him as we have given away soft goals.

'But he has been under-standing and continued to back my attempts to solve the problems and bring in Colin Todd as my assistant. On top of that, he has made this week's signings, Taribo West and Brian O'Neil.

'I'm certain they'll improve a team who have already shown their strength of character with last week's draw at Arsenal. We really believe we're turning the corner - and a victory against Bradford will be the key.

'It would be my personal appreciation of the backing I've received from Lionel Pickering'.

Smith is believed to have had to guarantee in excess of £20,000-a-week to secure West on a three-month loan from AC Milan when his former Italian club, Inter, were keen on taking him back.

But the extrovert defender, with the penchant for tying his locks in the colours of his current team, insists that he opted for the Premiership for missionary rather than monetary reasons.

In excellent English, one of the seven languages he speaks, West said: 'I'm happy to be in the Premiership after being close at times in the past . . . and I'm not afraid of the challenge.

'I believe I'm here at the right moment and with the right club, although I didn't know much about Derby Country and have had to read up on their history.

'It's the first time I've been to a club fighting to survive but although Derby are down, I truly believe something is about to happen.

'I believe in Jesus Christ, the strength of faith . . . and that is what has pulled me to this place. I believe what the Bible says, that light would shine through the darkness. Whenever I felt in a situation where there was darkness, it means God is about to use me for something.

'At all the clubs I've been with I've been an instrument of inspiration to the players. I'm here to accomplish a mission.

'I believe from this day, Derby will be witnessing something different.'

Smith, more realist than spiritualist, will be hoping West's considerable talent will help Derby blunt the threat of Stan Collymore and Benito Carbone.

Their next game is against mighty Manchester United and he said: 'We certainly don't want to equal that record for the worst start . . . and the best chance of avoiding it is to get three points in the bag against Bradford.'

An interested spectator will be Jim Jefferies, who is expected to be named as Bradford's new manager on Monday.

The former Hearts boss was involved in further talks with Bradford chairman Richmond on Friday and, if appointed, will have his Tynecastle assistant Billy Brown as his No.2.