Rams 'weren't aggressive enough' - Eustace

Derby County boss John Eustace blamed lack of aggression for his side's disappointing 1-0 defeat at Oxford United.

The Rams were second best for much of the game and failed to seriously test the home keeper, while Jacob Widell Zetterstrom had to be at his best to save them from a far heavier loss.

"We started the game well, got in some really good positions - the goal comes from us not being defensively strong enough on the turnover," Eustace told BBC Radio Derby.

"From there we kind of lost our way, we huffed and puffed and were second best. We just lacked that leadership, that knowhow and it was too easy for them to play through us.

"Today it wasn't about tactics, it was just about losing too many duels and not being aggressive enough.

"We need to be realistic, we've had the international break, we've had four players away so we haven't been able to work with them, and it's about time on the training field, trying to keep the players fit now and trying to get the right balance."

The Rams will be at home to out of sorts Norwich City in their next game on Tuesday evening.