Derby County

Grace Ballinger
BBC Sport East Midlands

Forward Rhian Brewster says Derby County need "better quality in the final third" after missed chances cost them against fellow promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town.

Brewster, 25, scored the Rams' only goal in their 2-1 defeat by Ipswich at Pride Park on Saturday.

Speaking to BBC Radio Derby, Brewster said he thought "for the majority of the game" the Rams were "the better team".

"We stuck to the game plan and conceded early on to a set-piece," he added.

"I thought the boys responded very well. We kept pushing, kept going and equalised, and then conceded against the run of play."

Brewster said he is not immune to criticism and took responsibility for missing opportunities which have been costing his side.

"I think the quality in the final third just needs to be better from me and from everybody," he said.

"We will try to put it right on the training pitch and try to put it right next week."

Derby are currently are ninth in the Championship table, and Brewster made it clear that a top-six finish is what the Rams want.

"Our aim for the next 15 games is to win as many as possible and get into the play-offs," he said.

Amelia Warren
Fan writer

After the 5-0 thrashing of Bristol City on the road, Derby were looking to spark some life back into their home form at the weekend.

The Rams have only won four out of 16 matches at home so far this campaign, with just 40% of their current total points tally coming from results at Pride Park.

After a game that ebbed and flowed in momentum for both sides, Derby ultimately fell to defeat for a sixth time at home this season.

The main difference, for me, was Ipswich seeming to have just that little bit more in every sense. More quality on the ball, more energy, and better strength in depth on the day, proven by the quality of their substitutes bench.

Derby were limited to only having one shot on target throughout the whole 90 minutes, and that came from Rhian Brewster's penalty.

Despite carving out half-chances, and 'glimmer of hope' moments in the final third throughout the game, Derby never quite had that cutting edge to trouble Christian Walton in the Ipswich net, with the Rams only registering a pretty lacklustre 0.08 expected goals from open play all afternoon.

Despite the loss, and lack of clear-cut chances created, the performance that Derby produced was actually far from disappointing.

You felt as though the Rams were constantly having a go at Ipswich, and trying to get on the front foot as much as possible, which they have been guilty of not doing often enough at home this season.

When the likes of David Ozoh, Bobby Clark and Lewis Travis were on the ball in midfield areas, they were constantly looking for the killer pass forwards, or trying to take Ipswich defenders on to open up space for shots and opportunities.

Similarly, in wide areas, we saw Ben Brereton Diaz, Joe Ward and debutant Derry John Murkin trying to put dangerous balls into the box.

Image source, Getty Images

Although the execution was not always perfect, it made for a much more entertaining watch than sitting back for 90 minutes, and seeing much less of the ball than our opponents.

You could not fault the passion, desire and fight of every player in a Derby shirt, and as a fan I feel as though that is the main non-negotiable despite the calibre of opposition, or whether the result is going in our favour or not.

I would not be surprised to see Ipswich finish in the automatic promotion spots come May, and to say Derby have only been narrowly defeated 4-3 by them over two matches I think is pretty respectable, and encouraging, as a supporter.

Particularly when you also consider Ipswich's estimated wage bill to be just under double that of Derby's.

This Saturday's fixture against Swansea City, I feel, is much more of a "must-win" game, compared to the battle with Ipswich.

If the Rams seriously want to be considered as part of the play-off picture, they need to pick up a good run of home form pretty quickly, and what better way to start that than against a team who sit just 19th in the away form table.

It sounds bizarre to say it after losing a game, but if we replicate the level of performance that we put in against Ipswich, and are able to be more clinical in the final third, I believe we will have more than enough to overcome the Swans.

You can often catch Amelia Warren, external as a guest on BBC Radio Derby.

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County boss John Eustace said the 2-1 home defeat against promotion-chasing Ipswich Town was tough on his side.

"I thought we were excellent today. It's frustrating to lose but I am very proud of the effort," Eustace told BBC Radio Derby.

"I think you can see how we are growing and evolving as a team. Our football, at times, was really good.

"There are still lots of improvements to come, but we are playing against a top, top team with fantastic players. You can see the players they brought off the bench today - and that's what we are competing against.

"I thought we went toe-to-toe with them and I don't think we deserved to lose the game. There are lots of positives to take.

"I would have loved to have started a bit quicker. It's disappointing we couldn't get a second. We need to be better in the final third. But we are still learning."

Dominic Dietrich
BBC Radio Derby

Image source, Getty Images

German coach Christoph Buhler begins work today at Moor Farm with Rams boss John Eustace as he joins the Derby County coaching team.

The 48-year-old has previously worked at Norwich City, Huddersfield Town, Schalke and Swiss club Young Boys as assistant to compatriot David Wagner.

Buhler will be in charge of opposition insight and the integration of academy players into the first team at Pride Park.

Image source, Opta

There's a big game in the Championship promotion race on Saturday lunchtime as Derby welcome Ipswich to Pride Park (12:31 GMT).

The Rams like seventh, two points outside the play-off places and six points below the Tractor Boys, who start the day fourth, seven points outside the automatic promotion spots, though still with a game in hand on the sides above them.

Derby's 5-0 romp at Bristol City on Friday was their third straight away win, but they have won just one of their past eight home games in all competitions.

Ipswich salvaged a late point against Preston on Saturday but though they have a good record at Derby of late, Town have won only one of their past six on their travels.

• Derby are winless in their past four league games against Ipswich (D2 L2) since a 2-0 home win in August 2018.

• Ipswich have won four of their past five away league games against Derby (L1), keeping a clean sheet in each victory.

• Derby have won just one of their past seven home league games (D3 L3), beating Middlesbrough 1-0 on New Year's Day.

• Ipswich have won just one of their past six away league games (D2 L3), beating league leaders Coventry City 2-0 in December.

• Derby have scored in each of their past 20 league games, last having a longer scoring streak between November 1975 and April 1976 in the top-flight (21).

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby Sport

Image source, Shutterstock

As January transfer windows go at Pride Park, this one must rank among the most successful in a very long time. Derby entered it looking beyond the end of the current campaign, with a clear focus on strengthening their armoury for next season.

The key aspect for me was the trading of players on the periphery of John Eustace's squad. Freeing up the wage budget allowed the recruitment team to flex a small muscle in the market, resulting in several exciting arrivals.

Those departing were not Eustace signings, a clear signpost that the Rams are trading up. Curtis Nelson, Kayden Jackson and Ebou Adams signalled the end of an era but also brought in useful transfer income from players who had done their job for the club.

The loan departures for Corey Blackett-Taylor, Ryan Nyambe and Jake Rooney suggest something further down the line, with Blackett-Taylor and Nyambe still having a year left on their deals, and Rooney's contract expiring in the summer.

This feels like a window of signings built with August in mind rather than the short term.

The first deal completed was Dion Sanderson on a permanent basis. The 26-year-old is very much a Eustace disciple and has impressed since arriving on loan last summer. That move also freed up a valuable loan slot. That was filled by young Burnley winger Jaydon Banel. He's raw and clearly talented. So, it will be exciting to see his development.

Next came little-known Danish midfielder Oscar Fraulo. We were quickly warned he would need a four-week training regime before featuring yet he threw himself into the FA Cup tie against Leeds and has since delivered encouraging cameo appearances from the bench.

Then followed a month-long wait for Derby's next move, which again brought another unfamiliar name in 26-year-old Derry Murkin from FC Utrecht. He was born in Colchester but raised in the Netherlands from the age of four. His footage shows a strong, athletic, attacking full-back entering his peak years and the left-back position has been a priority for Eustace since Owen Beck's pre-season injury ended any chance of him becoming a Ram.

Finally came Ipswich Town striker Sammie Szmodics joining on loan - a long-running rumour. Another Colchester-born player, Szmodics, enjoyed his best season under Eustace at Blackburn in 2023-24, scoring 33 goals in 48 appearances. He clearly unlocked something that Kieran McKenna could not at Portman Road although Szmodics did have injuries and a difficult Premier League season to contend with.

How Eustace fits Szmodics, Bobby Clark, Rhian Brewster and Fraulo into his starting XI is a welcome conundrum with the Rams seventh in the Championship, two points outside the top six.

Now the window has closed, the view presents two horizons. One is a straight road with a sensible destination signposted, the other flashing with glitz, bells and whistles. The problem is, the route to the second is littered with bumps.

Amelia Warren
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

After a disappointing end against a struggling West Bromwich Albion, the Rams were looking to get back to winning ways and go four games unbeaten.

Despite an exceptional run of away form, which currently sees the Rams at the top of the Championship away form table, I'm not sure anyone quite expected we'd go to Bristol City and win 5-0.

The most impressive part of the evening for me, aside from the quality of the performance and result, was seeing five different names on the scoresheet.

Going back to when Carlton Morris picked up his injury, there was so much talk and concern around where the goals would come from. However, the Rams have had absolutely no trouble in front of goal without him.

Patrick Agyemang has been Derby's main talisman in Morris' absence, racking up nine goals and three assists so far this campaign.

On Friday night though, Derby's entire squad showed their worth. From Agyemang right the way through to super sub Lars Jorgen Salvesen, everything the Rams touched in an attacking sense turned to goals.

Teams that are able to score goals from all over the pitch, with numerous different players getting in on the act, are normally the ones who end up in and around the top six at the end of the season.

It's so crucial if you're trying to mount a play-off push, which many of the playing staff have insisted Derby are, that you don't just rely on one player to bring all your joy.

Each goal Derby scored on Friday night was so intelligently crafted. Whether it was a fast paced one-touch break or an exceptional cross into the box that split the defence apart, Derby looked like they had an array of different attacking patterns of play for the first time this season.

For a while, particularly at home, it's felt like Derby have been very one dimensional, finding the wide areas and firing crosses into the likes of Agyemang and Morris, who use their physicality and aerial ability to produce.

On Friday however, we got to witness some really impressive passing and movement, one-touch football and clinical finishing.

I'd go as far to say it was the best Derby performance I've seen since we travelled to Elland Road in the second leg of the play-off semi-finals in 2019.

It feels like, for the first time in his tenure, we've got to a point where John Eustace has the personnel and options to play the style of football he wants.

The standards have been set by the Rams now. Derby have proven they can produce some high intensity, attractive football, so going forward it's about making it a consistent theme, particularly at Pride Park.

A very different - and tough - test comes at the weekend against Ipswich Town. This will be Derby's best chance yet to use their confidence and momentum to turn their home form around. While the Tractor Boys come with a strong squad and league position, I believe if Derby can replicate anything like their performance at Ashton Gate, the Rams' unbeaten streak will extend to five matches.

You can often catch Amelia Warren, external as a guest on BBC Radio Derby.

Image source, Getty Images

Today is the final chance of the season for your Championship team to do transfer business.

The window closes at 19:00 GMT, meaning teams - and fans - can avoid the usual late-night transfer scramble.

It has already been a busy window - for some teams anyway - but whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

Follow our live text coverage throughout the day here

Image source, PA Media

Derby County manager John Eustace said "no-one is getting carried away" after his side thrashed Bristol City 5-0 for another impressive away victory.

The three points lifted the Rams into the top six ahead of the rest of the weekend's Championship games.

"I'm delighted with the effort. We spoke about giving the front players more opportunities. For them all to score was great and Lars (Salvesen) getting his goal was good as well," Eustace told BBC Radio Derby.

"It's a shame Eamesy [Owen Eames] couldn't get one on his Championship debut. There's a lot of hard work ahead, for sure.

"Bristol are a really good footballing team and we knew they wanted to dominate possession, so it was important that we were clinical when we won the ball back.

"No-one's getting carried away, the main thing is to get to 50 points - but the players are gelling and we're getting that consistency. There are 16 huge games coming up."

Eustace said he would "love" to bring one or two more players into the club before the transfer window closes on Monday evening.

"That would be fantastic, but they've got to be players who are going to improve us," he added.

"We've got to make sure that when they walk through the door, the players sit up and really get a buzz from it. There's nothing I can report on."

Image source, Shutterstock

Boston United have signed Derby County defender Jake Rooney on loan and brought in striker Tom Cursons for an undisclosed fee from Harrogate Town.

Rooney, the 22-year-old cousin of Wayne Rooney, spent four months on loan at League One side Barnsley earlier this season.

He was recalled at the start of January and now drops two divisions to join Boston in their battle to avoid relegation from the National League.

Cursons, 24, has joined the Pilgrims on a "multi-year contract".

He scored seven goals in 32 appearances after joining the Sulphurites from Ilkeston Town in January 2025.

Both Cursons and Rooney, who has featured 23 times for the Rams across all competitions, could make their debuts for the Lincolnshire side at Boreham Wood on Saturday.

Image source, Opta

The Championship weekend kicks-off with Bristol City welcoming Derby to Ashton Gate for a bumper play-off showdown on Friday night (20:00 GMT).

The Robins go into the game sat 7th, a point behind Wrexham, with a better goal difference, but are seeking a fourth win, and clean sheet, in five home games.

The Rams lie 11th but are only a point behind their hosts and, after winning their past two away games at Preston and Charlton, a third straight would take them sixth, their highest position of the season, albeit ahead of the Saturday programme.

• Bristol City have won their past four home league games against Derby, keeping a clean sheet in each of the past three (all of them being 1-0 victories).

• Derby manager John Eustace has lost three of his four away matches against Bristol City in the Championship (W1), including the only time he has lost a game by 5+ goals as a manager in the competition (Bristol City 5-0 Blackburn in April 2024).

• Bristol City have won and kept a clean sheet in three of their past four Championship home games (L1), as many victories to nil as they managed across their previous 21 (3).

• Derby have won half of their away games in the Championship this season (7/14 – D3 L4); the joint-best win percentage in away matches of any side (also 50% for Hull).

• 35% of Bristol City's Championship goals this season have been either scored or assisted by Anis Mehmeti (14/40), who has since left to join Ipswich. This is the fourth-highest percentage by a player for one team in the Championship this term.

Derby County are keen on a deal for Ipswich Town and Republic of Ireland forward Sammie Szmodics, 30, who has struggled for game time at Portman Road this season. (Mike McGrath, Telegraph), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.

Derby County boss John Eustace spoke to BBC Radio Derby following Friday's 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion at Pride Park.

"It's really disappointing to concede in the last minute, I thought the lads battled and worked their socks off tonight," he said.

"Obviously, it's been a really difficult week and to get seven points out of the week is pleasing. But to be two minutes off getting nine points is of course disappointing.

"We also have to put things into context and I don't think we played particularly well tonight. We looked very leggy, we were up against a really difficult team who sat in and made it difficult for us to play. And that is probably where we needed that little bit more sharpness.

"Still, we found a way to score and in the second half we did look like a threat on the transition on a couple of occasions.

"The efforts the boys have put in for these past three games this week has been sensational, and unfortunately we just couldn't see it through in the end."