It may soon be known as the Liam Thompson Derby, but this was apprentice versus master. In the first of two games in 24 hours, John Eustace took on the man who brought him to Pride Park twice, Nigel Clough. The former Rams boss has transformed Mansfield Town into a stable League One side, now sporting a strike partnership which Paul Warne likely dreams of: 2022-23 Rams player of the year David McGoldrick, and perennial target Michael Smith. Thompson was nowhere to be seen

The Rams got their pre-season started on a glorious evening in Derbyshire (Photo: Archie Brown). From Argentina to Alfreton. The Atlanta Stadium to the Solana. England may be out of the World Cup (who cares about the third-place play-off?) but Derby County are back. First half goals from Joe Ward and Bobby Clark saw Derby through, and fortunately, they didn’t unfurl a banner claiming ownership of the Amber Valley town. This was professional football at the other end of th

Given the decades of history between the two teams, it is a little ironic that the latest battle between Derby County and Leeds United was defined by two short periods. When Jacob Widell Zetterström gave away, and then saved a penalty from Joel Piroe, any concerns surrounding the atmosphere in a relatively sparsely populated Pride Park disappeared. There was only one way to stop the “We all hate Leeds!” chants that had begun after The Rams’ Swedish stopper had dived to hi