Eustace admits defending must improve

Derby boss John Eustace admitted his side's defending has to improve after their 5-3 defeat at home by Coventry.

The Rams have lost both their opening Championship games this season, conceding eight goals in the process.

"Really disappointing to lose. I was proud of the effort of the group again. They were 100% committed. But we needed to be a lot better, especially when we go 3-2 up," Eustace told BBC Radio Derby.

"We've got to defend the box better. It's something we haven't done well enough during pre-season and in the first couple of games. It's something that we've got to keep working on.

"That's not what we're all about. We're always hard to play against, always defend the box for our lives - this is our DNA. In the last two games we just haven't done that well enough.

"The positives to come out of the game were three goals - to go behind twice and come back showed great character. So we've got that fighting spirit, we've just got to be better in both boxes."

Derby's next match is at home to Bristol City on Friday.