Three consecutive defeats for the first time since John Eustace’s first three games in charge; this is the lowest ebb of the head coach’s Rams tenure. His side end a bruising week with two losses. To ten-man West Brom, who had not won at Pride Park in 23 years, and Birmingham City, in what was just the second loss in seven games where Eustace has faced a club he previously managed. That is not to say that the 46-year-old’s job prospects are terminal – he has brought Derby

As Birmingham come to town, the themes are familiar: patience, time and the need to build consistency and chemistry. It is, John Eustace says, “very similar” to last season’s start. Instability is the enemy for any manager, and Eustace is no different. It is difficult to manage a side who have lost thirty goals from last season in the shape of the injured Carlton Morris and Patrick Agyemang, as well as former loanee Ben Brereton Díaz. But he concedes that “people aren’t in

Spring is in the air, and there’s a spring in Derby’s step too. That’s now four straight Championship home wins for the first time since February 2021 for Derby, and the 1-0 victory over Birmingham City seemed sweeter than most for John Eustace. At Thursday’s Fan’s Forum he revealed a liking for Oasis songs. While the former Blues boss won’t look back in anger , he did find time to take subtle swipe at the Birmingham owners. Knighthead cited their desire for a ‘no fear’

Report and analysis from Derby County's 1-1 Boxing Day draw at Birmingham City in the EFL Championship.