Derby County

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Derby County head coach John Eustace expects "more growth" from his side as they try to end the season on a high and secure a play-off spot.

The Rams are eighth in the Championship, three points off the play-offs, but face a testing Easter weekend with a trip to league leaders Coventry on Friday (20:00 BST) before they host Stoke City on Monday.

Eustace says he would have snapped your hand off to be in this position after a tough start to the campaign, but is keen not to go up another level for the run-in.

"Really proud of the effort of the whole football club to get to this stage," Eustace said.

"To be in this position with seven games to go is a fantastic achievement, but we want to keep going and see how high we can finish.

"If you take the first 10 games out we'd be in a much stronger position. There's still a lot more growth to come from this group so let's enjoy the ride and keep going.

"We're playing two top teams and I'm sure it'll be a great atmosphere in both games."

Eustace also provided an update on his squad before the double header.

Sam Szmodics is unavailable for both games as he recovers from the concussion sustained on international duty, while forward Rhian Brewster is a doubt after picking up a knock in his most recent outing.

Meanwhile, Patrick Agyemang and Ben Brereton Diaz are both available after impressing on international duty for the United States and Chile, respectively.

"He's great now," Eustace said of Szmodics. "He's been going through all the protocols he has to.

"He's ticking all the right boxes, unfortunately he can't play on Friday or Monday, which is a huge blow to us. The most important thing is he's healthy and he's getting better.

"Patrick's worked his socks off this season and it's great that he scored. We want to help him get to the World Cup with the USA squad. He's making the right moves, he's just got to keep going.

"Rhian's being assessed. We'll have to wait and see, but he's making steady progress."

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Championship clubs spent just over £69.5m on agents fees over the past 12 months according to figures released by the Football Association,, external an increase of £6m on the previous year.

The figures cover the period from February 2025 with Ipswich Town the top spenders, paying £11.7m having spent the first three months of the accounting period in the Premier League.

Southampton (£8.3m) and Leicester (£5.8m), who were relegated alongside Ipswich are the second and third-highest payers on the list.

Troubled Sheffield Wednesday were the most frugal when dealing with agents, spending £534,559.

Wrexham come in sixth on the list with an outlay of £3.6m while current Championship leaders Coventry spent just short of £1.5m.

Championship agents' fee spending, external

• Ipswich - £11,738,920

• Southampton - £8,381,358

• Leicester City - £5,866,587

• Sheffield United - £5,005,498

• Norwich - £4,020,206

• Wrexham - £3,660,584

• Swansea - £3,088,645

• Middlesbrough - £2,900,314

• Bristol City - £2,774,990

• Hull City - £2,450,431

• Stoke City - £2,088,886

• Birmingham City - £1,996,502

• Millwall - £1,982,348

• Preston North End - £1,831,233

• QPR - £1,829,036

• Watford - £1,612,833

• Coventry - £1,497,990

• Derby - £1,409,507

• West Brom - £1,346,030

• Oxford - £1,235,536

• Charlton - £904,698

• Portsmouth - £831,818

• Blackburn - £676,980

• Sheffield Wednesday - £534,559

Image source, Opta

Championship leaders Coventry City could take another big step towards the Premier League when they host play-off hopefuls Derby County on Friday night (kick-off 20:00 BST).

The Sky Blues are nine points clear of second-placed Middlesbrough and 11 clear of Ipswich in third, albeit having played one game more than the Tractor Boys.

Frank Lampard's side have won seven of their past eight games (L1) and need 13 more points from their final seven matches to guarantee promotion.

The Rams are in impressive form themselves with four wins in their past five games and are three points behind the top six going into this round of fixtures.

• Following their 5-3 win in August, Coventry are looking to complete the league double over Derby for the first time since 2003-04.

• Derby won this exact fixture 2-1 last season, last winning consecutive away league games against Coventry in March/December 1988.

• Coventry have won seven of their past eight league games. The exception in that run was their last home game against Southampton – the Sky Blues haven't lost consecutively at home since September 2024.

• Derby have won nine away games in the Championship this season, last winning more on the road in a second tier campaign in 2013-14 (11).

• Derby's Lars-Jørgen Salvesen is averaging a goal or an assist every 83 minutes in the Championship this season (3 goal, 2 assists in 416 minutes), the best rate of any player to play 400+ minutes.

Amelia Warren
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

One player who has particularly impressed this season in black and white is Patrick Agyemang.

Since arriving at Pride Park from Charlotte FC last summer, the American has netted 10 times, whilst also registering three assists.

Arguably, his most impressive performances have come from the left hand side, where he has played an inverted winger role and regularly bullied his way past opposition full-backs to get into the box and create chances.

With Carlton Morris' lengthy absence from the team earlier on in the season, Agyemang was also on hand to adapt to being the main 'number nine' for Derby, a role which he more than rose to the challenge of, and continues to flourish in.

It's fair to say Agyemang has probably been Derby's signing of the season. With most opposition fans commenting on his impressive performances against them throughout the campaign, and regularly expressing their desire to have a player like him in their team.

As is the case with most strikers though, Agyemang has recently suffered a dip in form, and is now seven games without a goal or assist for the Rams. A run which has left him visibly frustrated during matches.

This has been paired with some tough physical battles with opposing defenders, where often a lot of grappling and holding has resulted in him hitting the deck, or being illegally dispossessed, without referees consistently picking up on it. Adding to not only his frustrations, but supporters' too.

Despite this, he has had joy on international duty with the USA this week, scoring once in a 5-2 defeat by Belgium, in which he played 19 minutes from the bench.

For me this goal could kickstart a significant shift in his confidence and form, which could be a defining factor in the Rams' end to the season.

Going into the final seven matches of the campaign with something still to play for, fine margins are going to be where crucial games, and ultimately final table places, are decided. In these fine margin, high pressure moments, it's crucial that you have a confident striker in your side.

After a rocky run at club level, heading out on international duty and getting on the scoresheet will do Agyemang's confidence the world of good.

Should he come back to Derby and be able to replicate anything close to the kind of form he was in between 17 January and 14 February, where he scored four goals in six games, then he could have a huge say in whether Derby can creep into the play-off places.

For a team that hasn't been renowned for playing possession based football all season, it's important that the Rams can be as clinical as possible throughout the run in, and turn as many chances into goals as possible.

Particularly in games against opponents such as Southampton, a fixture which will no doubt have massive implications on the Championship table.

With Morris still working his way back to full fitness, and continuing to have his minutes managed, it will be Agyemang who will be called upon as Derby's main target man to deliver, and create a potentially special end to the season for the Rams.

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

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County's on-loan forward Ben Brereton Diaz was on the scoresheet as Chile beat Cape Verde 4-2 in their Fifa series match in Auckland on Friday afternoon.

The 26-year-old is on a season-long loan from Southampton and opened the scoring for the South Americans in the 16th minute of the game at Eden Park for his 10th international goal in his 41st appearance.

Cape Verde who, unlike Chile, have qualified for this year's World Cup finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico, went in at the break 2-1 in front before conceding three goals in 21 second-half minutes.

Chile will play hosts New Zealand in their second game of the mini tournament on Monday, with the home nation having lost 2-0 to Finland at the same venue later in the day.

Image source, Getty Images

Derby forward Sam Szmodics has praised the medical staff who helped him after he was knocked unconscious while playing for the Republic of Ireland in their World Cup play-off defeat by the Czech Republic on Tuesday night.

The 30-year-old, who is on loan at the Rams from Ipswich Town, was left on the ground in Prague following an aerial challenge, six minutes after coming on as a substitute in extra-time.

He left the pitch on a stretcher and was taken to hospital where head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson confirmed shortly after the game he was conscious.

"Gutted the way it ended. Fans and boys immense all evening," Szmodics said in a post on X., external

"Appreciate everyone's messages and thank you to the medical staff who acted so quickly to help me. On the mend."

The Republic led 2-0 inside 25 minutes of the tie only to be pegged back by the home side and go on to lose 4-3 on penalties.

Image source, Getty Images

Solihull Moors have signed centre-back Daniel Cox on loan for the rest of the season from Championship side Derby County.

The 20-year-old joined Walsall in League Two on a season-long loan at the start of the campaign but was recalled by the Rams in January.

Cox made seven appearances for the Saddlers, including three starts in the league.

He moves to the Moors for the final eight games of the season and is the club's second signing of the week following the arrival on Tuesday of former Carlisle striker Tobi Sho-Silva on loan from Kidderminster Harriers.

Adam Cottier
BBC Radio 5 Live reporter

Image source, PA Media

Four straight home wins is probably enough evidence to suggest Derby have the stamina to maintain their Championship play-off charge.

Back-to-back 1-0 wins in the past week have also underlined their capability to be a resilient and durable team.

However, they ought to have beaten Birmingham by more.

The January addition of Sammie Szmodics and the return from injury of Carlton Morris means John Eustace has an attacking armoury to rival any other side in the play-off race.

At the back, 37-year-old goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell - Blackpool's second-choice last season in League One - looks wily and assured as he continues to deputise in the absence of both Jacob Zetterstrom and Josh Vickers. Centre-back Matt Clarke appears to be able to head the ball as well as any defender in the division.

Derry Murkin - another of Derby's mid-season acquisitions - brings balance and athleticism on the left.

The Rams had boundless energy on Saturday and the home fans appeared to appreciate that alone. This latest impressive showing indicated Derby are at least a force to be reckoned with in the promotion race.

Derby County head coach John Eustace spoke to BBC Radio Derby following Saturday's 1-0 win against Birmingham City.

"I thought it was a dominant performance. From the first minute to the last I was very proud of the effort of the group," he said.

"We were on the front foot, we played no-fear football today and the way we went about our business was really pleasing.

"When you go away to Portsmouth on Monday and put on a really dogged performance to come away with a 1-0, it's always nice to back it up with a home performance like that to get another three points.

"Rhian has been on fire recently with his goal contributions, and it was a top finish from a great ball and great bit of play."

Jobi McAnuff believes just five teams are fighting it out for two Championship play-off spots.

In the latest edition of the BBC's 72+ EFL podcast, Aaron Paul and McAnuff were joined by AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson discuss the top stories from the EFL.

Watford's 3-1 win over Wrexham on Tuesday opened the door for Southampton to take over the Welsh side's top-six spot - and they did so, winning 1-0 against Norwich on Wednesday.

Watford are ninth, five points behind the Saints with eight games to go, while Birmingham are a further two points behind in 10th.

McAnuff said: "Watford are still in the mix. I feel like seven points feels a bit too big at this stage of the season. Birmingham feels a little far away.

"Southampton are the ones I believed would come through and get a play-off place.

"A couple of weeks ago I'd have said there's only one place up for grabs (sixth). That's changed now, (fifth-placed) Hull have been really inconsistent so they have been brought into it a lot more.

"You've got Easter coming up, six points can go in a week. You have a quick turnaround. If you can put a run of games together you can really jump up four or five places in the space of a few days. Anyone down to Watford (can make it), Birmingham feels a little too far away at this stage."

John Eustace has praised the togetherness of his Derby County players in the lead up to Saturday's fixture at home to Birmingham City.

The meeting at Pride Park (12:30 GMT) is between two sides striving for a play-off place, with Derby eight in the table and Blues two places and four points behind them.

Eustace was not afraid to highlight how the sides differ off the pitch, with Blues bankrolled by high-profile backers, including American financier Tom Wagner and NFL legend Tom Brady, while the Rams are owned by local property developer David Clowes.

"We are playing against a top team, a fantastic coach, they've invested very very heavily," Eustace told BBC Radio Derby.

"Just to be talking in that same breath of two teams trying to get into the top six from where we are to where Birmingham are, full credit to the group of players.

"With the investment that they have had, and where we are, we are starting to build now.

"Just to be competing in this top six or seven area of the league is full credit to the boys, they have done terrific."

A victory for the Rams against Birmingham, who have won only one of their past five Championship fixtures, would put Derby seven points clear of the West Midlands outfit.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United defender Leigh Bromby has signed a permanent contract to become Derby County's talent acquisition lead.

The 45-year-old takes the new role after a spell as the club's interim recruitment lead as the Rams look to build their sporting intelligence department.

His duties will include working alongside boss John Eustace to identify suitable talent, overseeing transfer deals and implementing development plans for players such as academy graduate Owen Eames.

Ben Jones has also joined the club as their new talent identification lead, focusing on scouting players for the first team through to the academy.

Jones has previous experience working with Premier League side Chelsea as their lead academy recruitment analyst and joins the side from the Football Association.

Play-off chasers Derby County and Birmingham City will face-off at Pride Park on Saturday (12:30 GMT) in hopes of strengthening their promotion bids.

The Rams are just three points adrift of current sixth placed Southampton, albeit their goal difference will likely mean they won't be able to sneak into the spot this weekend even if results elsewhere do go their way.

While Birmingham have some work to do with seven points to make up and could find themselves out of contention soon if they can't find some much needed victories, especially on the road.

• Derby are winless in their last four league games against Birmingham (D2 L2), last having a longer run without beating them between 1996 and 2009 (7 games – D3 L4).

• Birmingham and Derby drew in this season's reverse fixture (1-1 on Boxing Day 2025), despite the Blues having their highest possession average (73.7%) and second-most shots (25) in a Championship match this season.

• Derby have won their last three home games in the Championship, while they last won four in a row in the competition in January-February 2021 under Wayne Rooney (4).

• Only Sheffield Wednesday (13) have scored fewer goals in Championship away games than Birmingham (15) this season. Indeed, the Blues have lost and failed to score in their most recent two (0-3 v Millwall and 0-1 v Charlton).

• Derby have the most Championship wins in games with fewer than 40% possession this season (12), including doing so in their most recent league outing (1-0 v Portsmouth with 32.5% possession).

Amelia Warren
Fan writer

Image source, Shutterstock

The idea of almost 1,400 Rams fans travelling to Portsmouth to watch their team probably wouldn't shock you.

However, on a normal Monday night in March, it becomes incredibly impressive. Particularly when you factor in that the game was selected for live television broadcast.

For me, these kind of 'away days' are the best ones.

Spending your whole afternoon and evening on a coach with dozens of other people who share the same passion, talking tactics with strangers, stopping at motorway service stations to fuel yourself with some underwhelming fast food, watching people pull on scarves and hoodies etched with the clubs logo, as they step out into a city hundreds of miles away from home, ready to take over for the night.

Singing your heart out in an old-school terrace as your team go 1-0 up, cheering and rallying every tackle, save and block, whilst your nails are nervously bitten.

Finally feeling like the trek has all been worth it as the full-time whistle blows.

Boarding the coach back home and breaking the game down with those same strangers from the outward journey, who have now become acquaintances. Expressing how we made it difficult for ourselves in the second half, but getting the job done was all that mattered. Watching highlights back on a phone screen shared between four, with everyone desperate to catch a glimpse of the match-winning moment again.

Three and a half hours back up motorways and A-roads in the middle of the night, hitting heavy traffic to pile on some more time to what already feels like a never-ending journey.

When some choose to sleep, others choose to look back on videos, images, and now fond memories, of a trip that got you called every possible synonym of crazy when you told your friends and family you were doing it.

Are you really crazy? Or is this just what following your team is all about?

Over 15 hours spent out of the house, getting back into bed at 3:30am, maybe even needing to be back in work just a couple of hours later.

But it doesn't matter. That 1-0 victory is all that does, and that terrible services burger, the miles of traffic you sat in, the battered old-school away end, the waves of pressure your team came under, and those bags under your eyes, will soon be forgotten.

The celebratory hugs as the ball hit the net, the friendly banter in the pub with welcoming home fans before the game, the laughs and jokes shared with your friends and family who were 'crazy' enough to make the trip with you, that glimmer of hope that this team could still make something special happen this season. That's what will be remembered. The true magic of football.

See you in Coventry.

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