“It's a big week for the football club” – Eustace looking to end home win drought against Norwich
This could be a hugely consequential week for John Eustace and Derby County. Already four points from safety after 13 games, two home fixtures present a big opportunity to get their season back on track. They certainly cannot afford another hammering.
Speaking to the press on Monday, Eustace said: “I think it's a big week for the football club. We're obviously all in it together and tomorrow night's the most important game. We're not worried about the one after that, tomorrow's the most important.
It's always the next game and the players will be ready. We want a reaction after that first 20 minutes, of course we do, and hopefully we'll get that.”
Still on the hunt for a first home win since April, Derby are “in a relegation fight until we get out of it”, according to Eustace. “So, it could be all season, it could be short term, whatever it takes to make sure that we move up the league,” he added.
One bright spark amid the gloom of Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at The Den was Filip Bilbija. The German, who has played just 61 minutes this season, netted his first goal in black and white with an 87th-minute 10-yard follow-up. Given Derby’s struggles in front of goal, could a start be on the cards for the man who hit 15 goals in 29 2. Bundesliga last season?
Eustace was non-committal. He said: It's about the squad, of course. So, I'm delighted for Filip. He scored a fantastic goal. I thought the impact of the subs was very good again. Just shows that the squad's very much together. And, you know, I was really pleased with them.”
Oscar Fraulo was also positive when he came on and had the initial shot which led to Bilbija’s consolation. He has not started since getting an assist in September’s 0-2 win at Portsmouth but could see an opportunity due to David Ozoh’s fitness doubts. The 21-year-old former Crystal Palace man was forced off after 37 minutes at Millwall and Eustace provided an update on the midfielder.
He said: “Yeah, he'll be touch and go for tomorrow. I think he strained one of his oblique muscles, so, yeah, I think he's gone for a scan today. So, we'll have to wait and see on that.”
Joe Ward, who missed Saturday’s match with a back spasm will also be “touch and go”. Henrik Meister will have to be assessed after coming off with a knee problem.
The light at the end of the injury tunnel is getting brighter for Patrick Agyemang and Matt Clarke, though. While they are still not expected to return to match action until after the international break, their return to full training on Monday has provided a boost to the side.
Eustace explained: “We had Matt Clarke and Patrick [Agyemang] training fully today which was brilliant. There was a great buzz around the place. It lifted everyone seeing those two back on the training pitch so it’s a massive plus for us.”
Norwich
Phillipe Clement’s side are hopefully a vision of Derby’s short-term future. Having fallen short of a play-off place, the Canaries were expected to fly into this season in good form. Instead, the East Anglians struggled, with just three wins in their first 11 league games, including a run of five consecutive defeats.
In recent weeks, though, Clement’s vertical, pressing style has clicked again. The frontmen in their 4-2-3-1 have come into form, with Mathias Kvistgaarden, Paris Maghoma and Anthony Musaba all registering goal contributions in at least one of their two recent wins.
According to John Eustace, they are: “a great example of ‘if you get a couple of wins, you can certainly move up the league’”. Although he says that the two clubs are in “different scenarios.”
After overcoming Charlie Kelman’s early opener at The Valley, they recovered to beat Charlton 3-1. And on Saturday, they responded to Myron Boadu’s brace by scoring thrice to defeat Watford at Carrow Road.
Such high scoring games have been the norm for Norwich this season, who have twice lost 4-3; they are the league’s fourth-highest scorers, with the fifth-worst defence. With an average of 4.5 goals having been scored in each of the Canaries’ last five away games, prepare for an action-packed night at Pride Park.
Comments