Eustace wants Derby to 'keep calm and carry on'

John Eustace has overseen six wins from his 13 games in charge of Derby so far

In five unspoken words, Derby County head coach John Eustace summed up what the Rams need to do to secure Championship safety on the final day of the season.

'Keep calm and carry on' is an iconic phrase first used on World War II posters, and which has been reprinted and reproduced en masse ever since.

Eustace did everything but utter the exact line when talking about Saturday's showdown with relegation rivals Stoke City.

And when asked if he possessed a giant poster with that slogan somewhere, the 45-year-old laughed and pointed to his head when he replied: "In my mind I have."

Derby are three places and one point above the drop zone, and among six teams who could have relegation confirmed in their final match.

Stoke are one place and one point better off, making Saturday's fixture a season-defining moment for both sides.

While two successive losses have dragged Stoke into a final-day battle for survival, the Rams are well acquainted with the must-win scenario.

Less than two months ago, Derby were bottom of the table and seven points adrift of safety with 11 games to play.

"We know it's the final game, it's a huge game but we have had to win games and get points in games before to get to this situation," Eustace told BBC Sport.

"So every game has been a big game for us and our approach and our messages won't be any different going into the game.

"The most important thing is that the lads are just calm. What will be, will be. As long as we perform out there and we are competitive, that is all I ask for. And up until now, we haven't let ourselves down."

Eustace left play-off chasing Blackburn Rovers in February to replace Derby's League One promotion-winning boss Paul Warne, who was sacked after they had plummeted into relegation trouble following seven successive league defeats.

The former Rams midfielder took charge of the Pride Park club when the Rams were one place and one point above the bottom three.

A day after his first match in charge, the Rams slipped into the drop zone under the former Birmingham City boss for the first time.

Two more defeats followed to plunge the Rams into further trouble, but six wins in their past 10 matches has them in with a chance of avoiding an immediate return to the third tier.

"Up to now we have been firm favourites for relegation for the last eight weeks," Eustace said.

"And the way they [the players] have conducted themselves and gone about their business has been excellent and I have no doubt that will continue on Saturday.

"Really does it matter what other people think? No, it's about what they [the players] think.

"It's all about the players and giving them the belief and the courage to go out and play."