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"If not, we're in trouble" - Eustace calls for patience again after Birmingham defeat
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
Jack Bryan
Sep 125 min read


Set pieces and high pressure: previewing Birmingham City
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
Jack Bryan
Sep 115 min read


Derby defeated after Morrison’s ten men shut up shop
Given his surname, maybe it should not be surprising that the way James Morrison’s Baggies side shut up shop on Wednesday night was supremely impressive. There was wave after wave of Derby pressure, with no real threat to Max O’Leary’s goal. West Brom remained steadfastly alert off the ball despite being a player down for over an hour. Unfortunately for John Eustace, possession does not win you points; 78 per cent in the second half would have easily secured all three if it
Jack Bryan
Sep 95 min read


There goes the game plan: West Ham 3-0 Derby
Leading The Rams on their first trip to the London Stadium, it looked as though John Eustace had one plan in mind: keep it tight. Facing West Ham was always going to be a tough task. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side possess two starting centre backs bought for a total of £60m, and the Championship’s most expensive import after they signed Celtic’s Belgian midfielder Arne Engels for £25m. Then there's Jarrod Bowen, who really should be playing European football this season. But un
Jack Bryan
Sep 55 min read


Three signings, three points: fears allayed with successful deadline day?
How’s that for a response? After the depths of Saturday’s dismal defeat to Swansea and fears of regression if new faces did not arrive Tuesday brought a glorious fightback. John Eustace’s “true warriors” secured a 2-0 win over Portsmouth. Nobody at Fratton Park embodied that spirit more than Lars-Jørgen Salvesen. He scored within three minutes of coming off the bench, just hours after rejecting a loan move and opting to fight for his place. Eustace told BBC Radio Derby:
Jack Bryan
Sep 14 min read


2026-27 Season preview
The new season is upon us, and before the Championship campaign has even begun, there has already been a huge story at Derby County. Four years on from David Clowes’ reluctant act of heroism, he looked set to and over a large stake of the club to Lion Sport. But unpredictable as ever, Saudi government official and boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh has now pulled out. It is clearly a blow to preparations for John Eustace and co., but now David Clowes and his team must leap into
Jack Bryan
Aug 615 min read


Eustace gets one over old boss Clough: Mansfield 1-3 Derby
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
Jack Bryan
Jul 314 min read


“That typified our season” – Banel’s at it again as Rams battle back to beat QPR
In his post-match interview with Rams TV, John Eustace echoed the away end in bringing back a phrase the flock have used a lot over the past few years: “We fight to the end.” That was the sentiment four years ago, almost to the week, when the administration-stricken Rams were relegated at Loftus Road. Again, last season during The Great Escape. Even after the nightmare start to Eustace’s tenure that was the 4-0 defeat at the same ground 14 months ago. Reflecting on that g
Jack Bryan
Apr 255 min read


“We knew what was at stake” – Derby fall short at Norwich in further top six blow
When Jacob Widell Zetterström dived down to his left to push away Mohamed Toure’s poor penalty after eight minutes, Derby should have woken up. The opening stages had been nervy, sloppy even. The Rams’ number one had already had to dash out of his goal twice, first to beat Liam Gibbs to a loose ball, and then to clear Sondre Langås’ weak backwards header. Making his first start in nearly three months as Dion Sanderson was given a night off playing through the pain barrier
Jack Bryan
Apr 215 min read


Derby Uni hosts John Eustace's pre-Ipswich press conference
John Eustace with the nine students, including myself, who put questions to him. Photo: University of Derby. Even during a week that has featured the quagmire of deadline day, deal sheets and the usual pre-match preparations, John Eustace has still found time to visit the University of Derby for his pre-match press conference. While it comes during what must be one of the busier weeks of the season, at least the Derby head coach will no longer have to bat away transfer rumour

Jack Bryan
Feb 54 min read


Bloodied and bruised: Derby battle to Boxing Day point at Blues
Report and analysis from Derby County's 1-1 Boxing Day draw at Birmingham City in the EFL Championship.

Jack Bryan
Dec 26, 20254 min read


An own goal apiece as Derby battle to Millwall point
It’s 0-0 with nine minutes to play. Derby and Millwall have been locked in an intensely physical battle. Scrappy doesn’t really do it justice.
In a game with more aerial duels than a Battle of Britain re-enactment, Thierno Ballo wraps his foot around the ball for what must be cross number 300. As he has done countless times, Matt Clarke dives to head the ball clear, but instead it flies into the back of the net.
Even captain for the evening Sondre “quicker than Mbappé” Lang

Jack Bryan
Dec 10, 20254 min read


Langås makes triumphant return against Norwich
There is a reason Sondre Langås fits in so well at Derby: he’s a Rolls-Royce.
Back after months out with a torn meniscus, the Norwegian defender’s impact was transformative; allowing The Rams to switch to a 3-4-3 as they secured a first home win of the season against fellow strugglers Norwich.
Jack Bryan
Oct 22, 20253 min read


“Fighters not victims” – Eustace’s Rams complete the great escape
Jack Bryan chronicles how John Eustace's Derby County completed the great escape to avoid relegation from the Championship over 14 'cup finals'.

Jack Bryan
May 5, 202510 min read


Low-key draw lifts Derby out of bottom three
Report and analysis of Derby County's 0-0 draw at home to Oxford United in the EFL Championship.

Jack Bryan
Feb 11, 20254 min read


Yates’ late penalty earns Derby deserved Norwich draw
Report and analysis as Derby County draw 1-1 at Norwich City just a day after Paul Warne was relieved of his duties as head coach.

Jack Bryan
Feb 8, 20254 min read


New month, same result: Derby lose again
Report and analysis from Derby County's 1-0 Sheffield United defeat and of a big 48 hours to come.

Jack Bryan
Feb 1, 20254 min read
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