Derby to get back to business at The Valley following takeover collapse

Derby’s proposed Saudi takeover collapsing means The Rams can “get back to business” John Eustace said on Thursday.

And as if by magic, there are already new additions to the Derby County family Not just 31-year-old playmaker Alex Mowatt. Matt Clarke is now a father.

Hence the picture of him outside a maternity ward that circulated online yesterday, explained Eustace. The Rams’ reigning player of the year was sporting a protective boot as a “precaution” though. While he may miss out on the trip to London, Rhian Brewster “might be on the bench on Saturday”, having recovered from an injury he sustained in March.

The Derby boss sounded in good spirits at Moor Farm, perhaps he was just buoyed by Clarke’s good news. But there is also a clear sense of relief that “all the drama’s over.”  Though he conceded that there might now be less investment into the club, Eustace hailed David Clowes as “a different class”.

He said: "David obviously loves the football club more than anyone else, and what a fantastic chairman and owner he is, given what he's done for the club.

"He's been different class, and obviously everyone was disappointed when the takeover broke down. But the first thing he said to me was, don't worry, we'll get players in, we'll get this club right and everyone wants to move this club forward from last year.

"It's really important that we don't go backwards. We made great steps last season and over the past 18 months since I've been here, and that's all anyone wants. David's the first to say that as well."

So, optimism over the continuity and certainty of Clowes is the order of the day, with Eustace returning to familiar press conference themes of a “no excuse culture” and sticking together. He did not mention the importance of the right media messaging for nothing.

It is a stark contrast to the high-stakes sudden decisions of Turki Alalshikh, who suddenly decided on Monday that there would be “no time to prepare the team or club for the season ahead.”

For those at Moor Farm, they press on, be it with tactics, team selections, or refuting talk of Mowatt signing from West Brom. Though his arrival is now official, for a reported fee of around £600k, it is unclear whether the midfielder will be eligible to make his debut in London.

 Ultimately, Eustace wants to “to draw a line under it and just get cracking”. As all the questions surrounding Alalshikh fade (albeit only from the Derby area) it is time to focus on the football: here is the state of play at The Valley.

Charlton

Managed by the maverick quote machine Nathan Jones, The Addicks survived their first season back in the second tier by six points finishing 19^th.

The Addicks have added seasoned Championship players such as Nathaniel Chalobah and Karlan Grant to their ranks, as well as mo0re unknown recruits like full back Ivan Mesik from Heracles.

With Jones determined to change from his proven tried and tested back five to a 4-2-3-1, they do lack a right winger, and there is wider frustration at the speed of the club’s transfer business and the gaps in the squad.

Sounds familiar, right?

Charlton fan and podcaster Callum sat down with me and Chris to preview the match.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa_-vV0GgqY&t=2s