Derby County

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."

Image source, PA Media

Derby County head coach John Eustace said he is "delighted" for Richard O'Donnell following the veteran goalkeeper's performance in the Rams 1-2 win at Charlton Athletic.

O'Donnell, was a late change in the Derby lineup with usual number one Jacob Widell Zetterstrom taken out due to illness.

The 37-year-old's only minutes before Tuesday night this season was one match from a brief loan spell at Grimsby Town in November.

"I thought he [Richard O'Donnell] was excellent, full credit to him and the goalkeeping department," said Eustace to BBC Radio Derby.

"We've got four really good goalkeepers who are developing and learning all the time. The way they work, the way they drive the standards in training as a unit whenever any of them are called upon they certainly don't let us down.

"I'm delighted for Richard tonight because he's worked his socks off throughout the season without getting an opportunity.

"Tonight was his opportunity and I thought he was excellent."

Derby County midfielder Lewis Travis says he hopes to be able to take the club to the next level, following his return from injury.

The 28-year-old had been out since October with a calf injury but returned just before the turn of the year.

"I have hated every minute of it (being injured) but the coaching staff and the physios have been great with me," he told BBC Radio Derby.

"You know you are going to come back at some point, but it is about coming back right, so you have just got to stay in the right mindset."

The former Blackburn captain followed his old boss John Eustace to Derby in the summer, departing Ewood Park after more than a decade with the club.

"I wasn't in the best of spaces coming in," admitted Travis, who believes Rams fans are yet to see the best of him.

"Obviously I joined Derby but the weeks before that I wasn't allowed to train [with the Blackburn first-team squad]. I wanted to come here and hit the ground running and show everyone how good I could be, but I don't think that happened."

Saturday's win over Preston moved the Rams, 12th in the Championship, just five points off the play-off places.

Having spent last season battling to avoid relegation, Derby are now eyeing the possibility of exiting the division in the preferable direction.

"We are in a really good position, considering last season wasn't a great one," added Travis.

"I think we all agree we haven't probably played to our capabilities, but with 14 new players trying to gel together, we knew it was going to take time.

"When I signed it was for the project but I think we all realise we have a real chance this year, we have to just keep churning out performances.

"All I want to do is show what I am about and help the team get to the Premier League."

Listen to Travis' full pre-match interview and more Derby content on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Opta

Charlton Athletic will aim to move further clear of the Championship relegation zone when they welcome Derby County on Tuesday night (19:45 GMT kick-off).

The Addicks are five points ahead of Norwich in 22nd and unbeaten in their past three games (W1 D2).

The Rams, who are five points behind the top-six, are hoping to keep their play-off hopes alive and are seeking consecutive wins for the first time since November after the 1-0 victory at Preston last time out.

• Charlton and Derby drew their first league meeting this season 1-1 in September, but haven't drawn both league clashes in a campaign since 1982-83.

• Derby won their most recent league visit to Charlton 1-0 in League One in February 2024, last winning back-to-back such trips in January 1995.

• Derby have drawn each of their past four away league games at newly promoted opposition, including 1-1 stalemates at Wrexham and Birmingham City in 2025-26.

• Charlton's Nathan Jones has only lost one of his eight previous managerial league games against Derby (W3 D4), a 2-0 defeat with Luton Town in April 2021.

• Derby have only won three of their past 22 Championship away games at London sides (D11 L8), failing to win their previous five (D3 L2) since a 1-0 win at QPR in January 2021.

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County striker Patrick Agyemang has admitted he was "upset" with his open goal miss during their 1-0 win over Preston North End but did not let it deter him from scoring the winner.

The American put the ball over the bar early in the second half from close range, as Ben Brereton-Diaz's low cross had taken Preston goalkeeper Jack Walton largely out of the picture.

But the 25-year-old recovered to decide the game with a header in the 87th minute, from a similar position to his previous missed chance.

"I was a little upset with the first one but sometimes that happens," Agyemang told BBC Radio Derby.

"As a striker, you've always got to wait for the next one. You can't get it back anyway so I have a group of guys that back me and they say 'next one, next one, next one'.

"When you feel good in a game, you know another chance will come because the boys will create it for you and thankfully, I was able to take it."

Agyemang, who is playing in his first season outside of his home country, found the Christmas period "difficult" but the Rams' travelling support has him feeling much more upbeat.

"To see the ball hit the back of the net and see just how much they cheered for me, for the goal, was amazing," the USA international added.

"The boys were buzzing, everybody was buzzing for me. It was like a dream."

Listen to the full post-match reaction and more Derby County content on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County manager John Eustace says the win at Preston confirms their progress and sets up an exciting remainder of the Championship season.

Speaking to BBC Radio Derby after Patrick Agyemang's goal delivered three points against North End at Deepdale, Eustace insisted optimism was flowing in the dressing room.

"There are so many positives to take out of the first 27 games and while we don't always get the results we are building and we are growing," he said.

"This was a fantastic result and while there will be some difficult ones ahead but over the last 19 games we want to make it as exciting as we can and everybody can see the progress we are trying to make."

Eustace singled out goalscorer Agyemang for praise but also maintained Lewis Travis, who missed 14 games with a calf strain between October and late December, could be key from now until the end of the season.

"I am delighted for everyone as the performance with and without the ball and Patrick's work rate was the one thing I asked for here.

"The last couple of games he has looked leggy and tired but his performance today was a top, top performance with and without the ball. With the ball I am delighted he managed to get the winning goal.

"And Lewis Travis led by example. He was outstanding. He has had a really frustrating period and he is obviously not match fit but he controlled the game with and without the ball today.

"We have to make sure he gets through the next 19 games unhurt and gets fitter and fitter and he is going to be a massive plus for Derby in the future."

Eustace indicated that Danny Batth is not expected to be out for a lengthy period despite pulling out of the starting XI after the warm up.

"Danny Batth took a really bad knock in training yesterday [dead leg] and obviously he started doing the warm up and unfortunately he just couldn't get through."

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby commentator

Image source, Getty Images

When little-known Ebou Adams signed for Paul Warne in January 2023, the Rams were there or thereabouts in the League One play-off places.

There was pressure to go up in their second season in the third tier, and Derby were heading into the home straight needing to stick their necks out.

Adams arrived from Cardiff City on loan for the rest of the campaign. It is widely acknowledged by supporters and pundits alike that, without his introduction, a second-place finish might not have been achieved.

Adams immediately became a fan favourite. His high intensity and role as a disruptor, in a midfield that already had the passing of Max Bird and the experience of Conor Hourihane, offered balance.

Fans loved his energy and his personality. He played football with a smile on his face, and you could tell he had taken the Rams to his heart.

Derby lost only three further matches that season, finishing second and returning to the Championship. Ebou was a hero.

When supporters invaded the pitch after the Rams' 2–0 win over Carlisle at Pride Park - the game that secured promotion - Adams was nowhere to be seen. But as the smoke cleared and the tears were wiped away, there he was: on the shoulders of the adoring masses, his name being chanted loudly. Ebou smiled wildly, his teeth beaming across the stadium as supporters chanted, 'Sign him up'.

Adams was signed the following summer. Despite no real focus on him being captain from his head coach, Adams led from the front, still playing the game with his heart on his sleeve and a smile as wide as the River Derwent.

I interviewed Adams on many occasions. He is a gentle and honest soul. If a Rams performance was not up to scratch, he would come on the radio and apologise to the fans. He would not hide away; he would front up and represent.

He once spent an hour with me at Moor Farm as I presented an afternoon show on BBC Radio Derby during a day of behind-the-scenes access. He spoke passionately about being Muslim, playing football during Ramadan, and how important his family is to him - how supportive his wife has been of his career, and how starting a family in Derby was a dream come true.

He leaves Derby County in a far better position than the one he found. He achieved promotion from League One: a job needed and a job done.

As the Rams continue to evolve on and off the field, Adams can hold his head high as a captain and as a man who was key at the club's time of need.

Thank you, Ebou, and good luck.

Dominic Dietrich
BBC Radio Derby Sport

Image source, Getty Images

With Rams midfielder Ebou Adams looking like he's bound for fellow Championship side Portsmouth, it's a move that would see Derby County largely recoup some of the money they paid to sign the 30-year-old from Cardiff City permanently a year and a half ago.

His impact has been sensational in a Derby shirt. Without him they wouldn't have been promoted from League One and there's a case to say they wouldn't have survived in the Championship last season either.

As we've reported for much of this window, following on from Dion Sanderson arriving permanently and Danish midfielder Oscar Fraulo, Derby County would have to sell and get players off the wage bill in order to bring in new faces to further strength John Eustace's first team.

Adams has struggled at times this season in a Rams shirt but it always felt he was a player that could attract interest from elsewhere and he's done just that.

This fee and his wages off the books will enable a bit more wriggle room for incomings at Pride Park and following Curtis Nelson's departure, another player from that League One team that has moved on.

The squad will evolve over this month and the summer and it's my understanding that there could be more departures between now and deadline day.

Portsmouth have agreed a fee of £500k for Derby County's Gambian midfielder Ebou Adams, 30. (The News, external)

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

Amelia Warren
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

With the January transfer window reaching halfway, Derby County have only managed to secure the signature of Danish midfielder Oscar Fraulo since Dion Sanderson's loan move from Birmingham City became permanent.

The 22-year-old played the first half of the Rams' FA Cup fixture against Leeds United on Sunday.

Despite only having 45 minutes to judge by, Fraulo showed composure on the ball, and, when in possession, dictated the play well, with a naive yellow card his only negative contribution.

For the most part, he looks to have the potential to be the 'ball playing number six' Derby have so desperately cried out for.

However, the Rams are ideally in need of another two or three players in this window.

For me, this would give us that extra depth and cutting edge, enabling the best chance to produce some more consistent performances and results for the remainder of the season.

Here are two examples of the types of player I think Derby should look at between now and deadline day:

Reyes Cleary (left winger, Barnsley)

Reyes Cleary, 21, has already scored five goals and provided six assists for Barnsley this season. Primarily a left winger, he seems a more than capable fit to solve the Rams' problems out wide.

On Monday night he lit up Anfield, as Barnsley travelled to Liverpool in the FA Cup. Despite his side losing the game 4-1, he still produced a stand-out performance that earned him man of the match.

Fearless in possession, always looking to get forward, beat his man, and put pinpoint crosses into the box, Cleary was not fazed at all by coming up against some of the best defenders in the world, with Virgil van Dijk and Jeremie Frimpong regularly having to double up against him throughout the evening.

Pacy, powerful, skilful, positive, and energetic are just a few of the words to describe Cleary's playing style. I could imagine his link-up play with the likes of Patrick Agyemang and Carlton Morris would provide a huge attacking threat, especially with his ability to put good crosses into the box.

The only downside to his impressive performances are that they have made him highly sought-after.

The Barnsley chairman said at a fans' forum on Tuesday evening they have already turned down four bids from two separate unnamed Championship clubs.

So, if Derby want to secure Cleary's signature they'll not only need to move quickly, but also have the right funds available to meet Barnsley's demands.

Joel Bagan (left-back, Cardiff City)

Bagan, 24, can play in multiple positions across the back four, with his most favoured spot being at left-back, a position Derby do not have strong depth in.

Australian left-back Callum Elder has produced some magnificent performances for the Rams in recent weeks. With his quality of delivery into the box, desire to get Derby on the front foot and solid defensive displays being noticed by fans.

With Elder dropping out of the team to rest on Sunday, Derby veteran Craig Forsyth stepped in.

As expected, Forsyth looked rusty after not having a consistent run in the side all season, and with him turning 37 next month you wonder whether he would be able to slot in and play the relentless Championship schedule of regular Saturday-Tuesday matches, should Elder not be available for any reason.

For me, it's an area Derby could do with some back-up in, and an option for better quality rotation as the season drags on.

A young left-back like Bagan just gives John Eustace that extra option, the opportunity to not have to use Forsyth consistently, and to rest Elder if needed, while also providing the 30-year-old with some healthy competition.

Bagan has registered one goal and three assists for Cardiff City this season, while also recording an impressive 115 defensive recoveries, winning 58.9% of his defensive duels, completing 50% of his dribbles, and creating 40 attacking chances across 2,029 minutes.

His ability to produce quality in both boxes would suit Eustace's style of play, as we know he likes his full-backs to work high up the pitch, and be just as comfortable in an attacking sense as they are defensively.

Bagan's contract runs out in June, but at present he stands as the only recognised senior option at left-back for the Bluebirds, so securing his signature could be extremely difficult unless Cardiff bring in reinforcements.

Nevertheless, a younger left-back with similar statistics, potential, and playing style to Bagan should be on the Rams' radar in my opinion.

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

This fixture dates back to the very first Football League season when Preston won both games on their way to an unbeaten campaign which saw them crowned England's first champions.

Derby finished that season third from bottom and had to apply for re-election.

• Preston are looking for their first league double over Derby since the 2020-21 campaign following their 1-0 win earlier this season.

• Derby County have lost just one of their past 10 away league matches against Preston North End (W5 D4), going down 3-0 in 2020-21.

• Since the start of November, only Watford (1) have lost fewer Championship games than Preston North End (2), while only Ipswich (28) and the Hornets (26) have won more points in that time than the Lilywhites (24).

• Derby have scored in each of their past 16 Championship matches, the longest ongoing run of any side. It is their best run of scoring at this level since an 18-game run between December 2019 and July 2020.

• Derby County have faced 75 shots more than they have had themselves when they have been drawing in Championship games this season which is the worst differential of any side when level.