and taking the club's injury tally up to 14. The return to Pride Park saw the club lose 4–2 at home to Q.P.R. despite being 2–0 up. The results saw Derby drop to 19th in the table and saw Clough admit for the first time concern over the team's plight, going as far as to state "We are still clinging on to the hope when everybody is fit we think we can get a side out to compete." He also praised the club's supporters, despite the pelting of the pitch with free T-shirts as the match drew to a close, saying "I didn't think their reaction was too bad after they had just seen us concede four goals at home. I thought generally throughout the game they were magnificent." The Q.P.R. defeat was followed by another loss, 1–0 away to Ipswich Town, for who the result was their first win of the season. With the injury list running at 16 players Clough admitted that he had looked into the possibility of having the fixture called off. Away from the pitch, Hull City midfielder Bryan Hughes was signed on a monthlong loan with a view to a permanent move, Fredrik Stoor's loan was extended by two months, though there was a 24-hour recall clause inserted by his parent club Fulham and youngsters Mark Dudley and Arnaud Mendy moved to Alfreton Town and Grimsby Town respectively on a one-month loan deals, Clough also admitted an interest in Ipswich Town's Jon Stead (who had had a loan spell with Derby in the 2006–07 promotion campaign), and there were further links with 16-year-old Mandalskameratene goalkeeper Mats Mørch and Plymouth Argyle's Jamie Mackie. Towards the end of the month, Adam Pearson left his position as Chairman of football after two years at the club, the Official Club Statement reading "Coming up to the second year anniversary of Adam Pearson's arrival at Derby County Football Club, following lengthy discussions within the Board and investor group, it has been decided by all parties that now is a good time for Adam to pursue new challenges away from Derby County. The decision for Adam to leave has been reached through mutual consent and all parties believe it to be in the best interests of the Club and the individuals involved. The Moor Farm and Pride Park operations will now be unified under the control of Tom Glick, reporting