Five things we learned from Derby 2-2 Cardiff

Archie Brown - Football Journalist

Derby County got their first point of the season yesterday, with goals from Carlton Morris and Bobby Clark helping them to a 2-2 draw with Cardiff City.

While The Rams now have something to build on, much improvement is still needed. In that spirit, here are five things we learned from the match.

1. Derby have somewhat of an injury crisis 

   
   

With the recently announced long-term injury layoffs for Matt Clarke and Derry Murkin, Derby County Head Coach John Eustace insisted that Sam Szmodics only had a minor knock, and is expected to only miss 2-3 weeks of action. 

Despite netting twice against the Bluebirds, Eustace stated: “We need to be better in both boxes and the goals that we conceded again today, [we were] just not at the level required.” 

With only two recognised centre-backs in the first-team squad (Dion Sanderson and Sondre Langås), it appears that Derby must prioritise some new defensive acquisitions in the remaining nine days of the transfer window.   

2. John Eustace is impressed with the attitude of his squad 

   
   

Eustace has never shied away from praising the attitude of his side throughout his tenure, with the continual togetherness of the side being a consistent factor in the squad. 

The Head Coach said: “It’s a point on the board, I’m absolutely delighted with the attitude of the boys, the attitude is a different class.  

“To come back when you go a goal down and then 2-1 down shows that there is great fighting spirit and team spirit out there.” 

The 46-year-old added: “I can’t fault the effort of the group, [they] have gone as hard as they can and unfortunately, we couldn’t get the win.” 

3. Potential new signings? 

   
   

Ben Brereton Díaz and David Ozoh. 

Just two of the names that are constantly being linked with a return to Pride Park. Ozoh, a powerful yet silky defensive midfielder, with Díaz providing attacking flair that was eventually celebrated, following a slow start to life in black and white. 

Despite this, and Eustace light-heartedly referring to himself as being the “only one” who liked the attacker, Rams fans are still keen to see the Chile international make a return from parent club, Southampton. 

New introduction Filip Bilbija looks to be one to keep an eye on, having made a cameo in the Lincoln though remaining an unused substitute against Charlton Athletic and Cardiff City. 

Who would you rather see return?

• 0%David Ozoh
• 0%Ben Brereton Díaz

4. The impact of Ryan Hedges and Charlie Taylor

I managed to speak to the Derby Head Coach in detail about new left-sided additions, Charlie Taylor and Ryan Hedges. 

He said: “He [Hedges] can add experience, he’s very direct and can link the play, he’s a good footballer and over the course of 46 games I think he’ll be effective. 

“Any players that come in certainly have a role to play, the experienced lads have a role to help develop younger players around them as well.” 

Taylor, formerly of Burnley and most recently Southampton, has made over 350 appearances at club level and at just 32 years old, the Englishman can provide much-needed experience whilst longing for an extended tenure at Pride Park. 

5. Bobby Clark’s clinical form 

   
   

It goes without saying that the highly anticipated return of Bobby Clark was certainly worth the wait. 

Spending £6m to bring the midfielder back from Red Bull Salzburg following a highly successful 2025/26 season delighted Rams fans, especially after a campaign which saw him being awarded the young player of the season. 

Despite rescuing an equaliser against Cardiff, Eustace wants to improve Clark’s goalscoring form from last season. 

Eustace said: “We spoke about it earlier in the week that we want to improve his numbers from last season, and he’s been very disappointed that he hasn’t had many opportunities in front of goal. 

“Second half (against Cardiff), he played his position very well and I was delighted with the way he performed.”