Derby County

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."

Image source, EFL

A new initiative highlighting the work of football club charities has been launched by the English Football League (EFL).

'Scan to Smile' will be rolled out in stadiums across the EFL from Friday until the end of January, with supporters invited to scan QR codes on posters displayed around grounds.

Each scan will unlock a short, uplifting story from a person whose life has been positively impacted by the support of their local club charity.

The subjects tackled include mental health support, combating loneliness, improving physical wellbeing, employability and confidence.

The EFL said it hoped the initiative would use "the reach and influence of football to offer fans a moment of positivity on matchday".

Trevor Birch, chief executive at the EFL, said: "Behind every club are people whose lives have been positively changed through the work and dedication of their local EFL club charity.

"This initiative gives supporters the chance to see that impact first-hand and reminds us that football truly is a force for good."

Amelia Warren
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Ben Brereton Diaz has been a player who has divided opinions amongst the Rams fanbase since he joined on loan from Southampton in the summer.

A rocky start to his Derby career saw the Chile international only score once in 20 appearances. He also failed to register any assists during that time.

This left a portion of fans disappointed and some made their feelings clear in both the stands and on social media.

For me it always looked like he was giving everything. Regularly running himself into the ground, trying to find the right positions to be creative, but just not quite getting the service or having the confidence to produce the finishing touches.

I felt if he could get on the scoresheet in front of a Pride Park crowd, it may just give him that belief to kick on.

Since the Rams played Wrexham at home on 4 January, Brereton Diaz's new found confidence in a Derby shirt has been there for all to see. Starting with an impressive composed finish against Wrexham, he hasn't looked back. Registering a goal contribution in each of Derby's past four fixtures.

From back-to-back instinctive and composed strikes against both Wrexham and Leeds, to a pinpoint accurate cross, and a deft through ball to provide Derby with match-winning moments against both Preston and Charlton.

Brereton Diaz is on fire for the first time in a Derby shirt.

So I suppose that poses the question, why has he had such a sharp upturn in form?

For the majority of the Championship campaign the Rams have been notorious for having less ball possession, no matter who they've come up against.

However in last Saturday's game against Preston, Derby had 48.9% possession. Similarly, in their home defeat by Wrexham, the Rams had 52.2% of the ball.

For me it's no coincidence that Brereton Diaz looked much sharper, and more confident, in both of those matches.

He is definitely a player who is better suited to playing a high press style of football, winning the ball in the opposition's half and having more freedom on both the right hand side, and in central areas.

The less possession Derby have, the less able he is to play to the intensity he'd like to, and the less chances he gets to get on the ball and pose an attacking threat.

The four at the back system against Preston was a prime example of how good he will be, if we can consistently play the system that suits him best.

Having a player like David Ozoh in midfield to go and take the ball off the back four and build up play going forwards, also makes a huge difference to the quality of service that can be provided to not just Brereton Diaz, but all of Derby's attack.

All attacking players strive off confidence, and right now Brereton Diaz should be the most confident player in the entire Derby squad.

Despite his impressive run of form, he now needs to ensure he maintains a level of consistency by providing more regular goal contributions, and match defining moments, for the remainder of the season.

With the four at the back formation being used more often, the 'taking the game to the opposition' approach being deployed with better quality personnel across the pitch, and some consistent encouragement from those in the stands, I have no doubts the best is still yet to come for the Chilean in a Derby shirt.

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

West Bromwich Albion head to Pride Park on Friday having just suffered their heaviest home defeat outside the top flight after losing 5-0 to Norwich City on Tuesday evening.

The Baggies welcome back midfielder Ousmane Diakite to their squad after a period of compassionate leave.

A victory for Derby County would move them into the top six for the first time this season.

The Rams are also looking to make it three league wins in a row for just the second time in this campaign.

• Derby have won each of their past four league games against West Brom. Only once have the Rams enjoyed a longer winning run against the Baggies in their history - a five-match streak between November 1935 and October 1937.

• Since 1920, West Brom have won just one of their 32 away league games against Derby County (D12 L19), a 1-0 success in August 2003 courtesy of a 76th-minute strike from Rob Hulse.

• Derby have won just one of their past six home league games (D2 L3), beating Middlesbrough 1-0 on New Year's Day.

• West Brom have lost their past 10 away league games. Only once have they endured a longer losing run on the road – 11 consecutive defeats between November 1890 and November 1891.

• Derby's Bobby Clark has scored two goals in his past four league games, having failed to score in any of his first 29 with Liverpool or the Rams.

Image source, Shutterstock

All English Football League games across a four-day period in February will begin one minute late to raise awareness for the Every Minute Matters campaign.

The initiative will be in place for 36 matches across the Championship, League One and League Two between 5 and 9 February.

EFL sponsor Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) have been working together since May 2024 to highlight the importance of speed when it comes to performing live-saving CPR.

Later kick-off times will serve as "a stark reminder that every minute matters", the EFL said.

Bristol Rovers defender Tom Lockyer collapsed while playing for Luton Town eight minutes into the Championship play-off final against Coventry in May 2023.

Lockyer then suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch seven months later during a Premier League game at Bournemouth.

"What happened to me can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time," said Lockyer, who is now a BHF ambassador.

"Every year, more than 40,000 people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and most of them never make it home.

"I'm here today because of the transformative power of CPR as every minute matters when it comes to saving a life.

"This February, we want everyone to get behind this life-saving initiative, learn the skills and be ready to step in because your actions could give someone else the chance I was given."

Throughout February, the Every Minute Matters campaign will call on fans to learn CPR using the BHF's online RevivR, external tool.

"Each minute without CPR reduces a person's chance of survival, so we're urging fans to learn the skills now, before you ever need them," said Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the BHF.

EFL chief executive officer Trevor Birch added: "The one minute kick-off adjustment is a simple, powerful reminder that swift CPR can be the difference between life and death."