Derby County

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County boss John Eustace says veteran defender Erik Pieters brings valuable Championship know-how to the Rams' battle to avoid relegation.

Eight of the past 12 seasons that the 36-year-old Dutchman has spent with English clubs were in the Premier League with Burnley and Stoke City, who he first joined from PSV Eindhoven in 2013.

He also featured in the Championship with Stoke and had a further two years in the second division with West Bromwich Albion between 2022 and 2024 before a stint with Luton earlier this season.

Pieters left Luton without making an appearance and has joined Eustace's Rams as a free agent.

"When talking about signing players with good characters and great experience, Erik is certainly one of those players," Eustace told BBC Radio Derby.

"I know he has been at some great clubs and he knows the Championship inside out."

Eustace said Pieters was brought in as a free agent because of the uncertainty around Sondre Langas after he suffered a knee injury in their win against Blackburn last month.

The Norway international featured off the bench against Plymouth after that, and Eustace says the defender's future involvement will have to be "managed".

"Thankfully he said he will play until the end of the season," Eustace added. "He is going through the pain barrier for us."

You can listen to more from Eustace ahead of their Championship game against Preston North End on BBC Radio Derby's Rams Daily podcast.

Image source, BBC Sport

A rejuvenated Derby County are looking for a fourth consecutive Championship win on Wednesday, which could lift them out of the relegation zone.

Preston North End are 10 points outside the play-off spots but have a game in hand on all the teams above them and could still sneak into the top six with a near perfect run-in to the end of the season.

• Derby have only lost one of their previous 14 home league games against Preston North End (W8 D5), a 1-0 reverse in December 2020 under Wayne Rooney.

• Preston have lost just one of their past six games against Derby County in all competitions (W3 D2), although that was their last away game against the Rams, a 1-0 defeat in the Championship in April 2022.

• Derby have won each of their previous three games in the Championship, as many as their previous 26 beforehand (W3 D8 L15); the Rams last won four successive matches in the competition in July 2020 (five in a row).

• After their 2-1 win over Portsmouth, Preston are looking to win back-to-back Championship games for only the third time this season, after doing so in December (v Hull & Sheffield Wednesday) and January (v Watford & Middlesbrough).

• Marcus Harness has three goals and an assist in Derby's last two league games, this after only previously scoring once and assisting once in his first 31 appearances in the Championship for the Rams.

Amelia Warren
Fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

Off the back of a much-needed victory over Blackburn Rovers, Derby had two more big games to follow, starting with a night under the Pride Park lights against Coventry City on Tuesday, and finishing with a huge six-pointer at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

Derby's 2-0 win over Coventry was no fluke. John Eustace was starting to make things click for a group of players who had been suffering from a serious lack of confidence.

Players like Marcus Harness were now reaping the rewards of playing in freer advanced positions, with a squad now clearly living by Eustace's trademark "fighters not victims" mentality.

Two wins on the spin stood Derby in very good stead for arguably the pivotal away trip to bottom-of-the-table Plymouth. Three points for the Pilgrims would see them leapfrog Derby in the Championship table in the fight for survival.

But when you're in form, you find a way to win, and that's exactly what Derby did.

After a to-and-fro game, the sold out away end erupted, Argyle players dropped to their knees, and match-winner Harness wheeled away in celebration.

Ten minutes of added time followed before the full-time whistle blew and Derby had completed a perfect nine-point week, something which felt impossible two weeks ago, after defeat at Middlesbrough saw the Rams drop to the bottom.

How we've all been made to eat our words since then!

Derby no longer look like a group of victims. Finally they look like they believe, like they want to give everything to this challenge, and for each other. Finally they look like they may actually make mission impossible, mission probable.

There is a chance to recuperate over the upcoming international break and to prepare for a huge eight games, starting on Wednesday, 2 April when Preston visit.

They couldn't make it four wins from four, could they?

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

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County would rather not have the international break, according to Marcus Harness.

The forward scored twice, including a late winner, in the Rams 3-2 victory at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday as they recorded a third successive Championship victory.

"I wish we could carry on the way things are going and play another game on Tuesday" Harness told BBC Radio Derby.

"We'll get a lot of good work done on the training pitch and be even stronger for it."

Derby have moved to within one point of safety in the table but do not play another league game until 2 April when they host Preston North End.

"We've worked so hard the last few weeks and to get three wins in a week is huge in this league, and hopefully we can continue it after the break," he added.

Image source, Rex Features

Derby County boss John Eustace says he is proud of his side as they scored a late winner to beat Plymouth Argyle 3-2 in the Championship.

The win against their relegation rivals - their third successive victory - sees them one point from safety in 22nd place.

Marcus Harness got the winner in the 87th minute after the Rams had spurned an early 2-0 lead.

"I'm very proud of the effort of the group, I though we battled very well against a very difficult opponent," he told BBC Sport.

"Plymouth are really good at home so it's a great win.

"We've given them that structure with and without the ball and the players have been magnificent

"Coming into the game we lost four players for the season, the players who have come into the team have been magnificent."

Plymouth Argyle are looking to record back-to-back league wins for just the second time this season when they meet Derby County in the Championship on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Rams have won their past two games to move within one point of safety.

• Plymouth are unbeaten in their past four league meetings with Derby County (W3 D1) since a 2-1 defeat in August 2009.

• Derby have lost their past two away league games against Plymouth. Their last win at Home Park came back in February 2009 under Nigel Clough, a 3-0 victory.

• Plymouth have kept just one clean sheet in their past 12 home matches in all competitions, with that shut-out coming against current Premier League leaders Liverpool in their 1-0 FA Cup victory in February.

• Derby have not won in their last 10 away league games (D3 L7), last enduring a longer winless run between August 2019 and January 2020 (13 games).

• Derby manager John Eustace has already faced Plymouth at Home Park this season with previous club Blackburn, losing 2-1 in October.

Derby County boss John Eustace says he's been impressed by teenager Harrison Armstrong after he stepped into the starting line up due to injuries.

The defensive midfielder played all 90 minutes of the Rams' win against play-off contenders Coventry City on Tuesday, which saw the side keep a clean sheet to end the Sky Blues' five-game winning run.

"For such a young boy, he's got a maturity about him that is really exciting," Eustace told BBC Radio Derby.

"For an 18-year-old, in these past two games, he's really stood up to the plate and hopefully that will continue."

The Rams' wins against Coventry and Blackburn Rovers has taken them one point from moving out of the drop zone.

They next travel to basement dwellers Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

Despite recent victories, the Derby boss is not taking the trip to the Pilgrims lightly.

"We've won one game away from home all season so we've got no divine right to go anywhere and win," Eustace added.

"We'll just be very competitive and see where it takes us."

Listen to Eustace's full press conference and more on the Rams Daily podcast.

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby commentator

Image source, BBC Sport/Getty Images

John Eustace has spoken about the "hard work on the training pitch" often since arriving at Derby County.

In the past two games we have all seen the rebirth of the squad he inherited, who have produced two performances unimaginable at the start of 2025. Even the players bereft of confidence, commitment and quality have found another level.

It is easy to say loan players aren't as committed than those on a contract, just ask Marcus Harness about that. The forward who's on a season-long deal from Ipswich Town has produced back-to-back performances in which he has affected the game and been a nuisance up alongside striker Jerry Yates.

Harness' goal against Coventry City capped an upturn in performance level which some had questioned whether he could deliver at this level.

His free-kick for the Rams' opening goal was an excellent delivery. Pinpoint accuracy behind the defence and in front of the goalkeeper. Matt Clarke capitalised on it and headed his first goal on his return to the Rams.

The match stats will show Coventry's 68% possession and 13 attempts on goal. But Derby scored twice without reply, the only stat that matters.

So how has John Eustace managed to extract that extra bit of nectar?

Man-management is key, careful kid gloves of Kayden Jackson, who's mistake at Middlesbrough cost Derby the match.

Feeling part of something, engaging the supporters and whipping them up into a frenzy to defend a lead. Fist-pumps and a rally cry from the technical area.

Eustace may say fewer words than most in pre and post-match interviews, his talking is clearly done at Moor Farm and inside the dressing room on match day. His simple identification of how to beat an opposition, or keep a clean sheet has been taken on board.

Defender Ryan Nyambe recently said training is now about "a step up in intensity and more of a focus on their game plan" rather than keeping the opposition at bay.

Clarke said a similar thing about attention to detail in his reaction after the Coventry win.

The mental shift to Derby County, Championship football club, from Derby County punching above their weight in the second tier is clear for all to see. The fight has returned, the number of players completing 90 minutes has gone up, the positivity and willingness to run until the last whistle is evident.

Two wins won't save a season, but it has brought hope against a background of ever increasing injuries, those who are fit want to fight for the cause and save the Rams from relegation.

"I left a club that were in the top six to come to a club with huge potential, who I know we can get into the Premier League and do well one day," Derby County boss John Eustace tells Radio Derby.

"It's a group effort, everyone involved up to now - the group, the staff, the fans - have been outstanding and there's a lot of hard work ahead.

"There's going to be lots of difficult times ahead as well but we've just got to keep believing in the process."

Dominic Dietrich and Ed Dawes are joined by former Rams striker Malcolm Christie as they react to Derby's big win against an in-form Coventry City and what it means for the Rams' survival.

Includes interviews with boss John Eustace and goal scorer Matt Clarke.

You can listen to the full reaction and more on the Rams Daily podcast.

Image source, BBC Sport

Derby County boss John Eustace says that it will be "touch and go" whether defender Sondre Langas is fit for Tuesday night's game against Coventry City.

The Norway international was withdrawn in the 58th minute of the Rams' 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers on Saturday with a hamstring injury.

Langas joined Derby from Norwegian side Viking at the conclusion of the Eliteserien season alongside team-mate Lars-Jorgen Salvesen, who will miss the rest of the season with a ligament tear.

"Hopefully he will be available," Eustace told BBC Radio Derby.

"But we have to remember that he's just coming through a pre-season spell and the level of the Championship is ferocious."

The Rams could have as many as 10 players missing for the game against the Sky Blues.

Derby have looked to bolster their hampered squad, with Eustace confirming that new signing Jeff Hendrick could make his debut on Tuesday.

Eustace said: "It's part of the Championship, it's relentless.

"We just have to get on with it - we are fighters, not victims, here.

"Whatever happens the team will be committed and that's all I ask for."

You can listen to Eustace's full press conference and more on the Rams Daily podcast.

Derby County welcome Coventry City on Tuesday night (19:45 GMT) for a meeting between two sides with different ambitions at each end of the Championship table.

The Rams are desperately battling to stay up and are four points adrift of safety in 22nd after ending a 12-game winless run with a 2-1 victory over Blackburn on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Sky Blues are the form team in the division, winning nine of their past 10 games to lift themselves to fifth and three points ahead of Bristol City in seventh as they push for a play-off berth.

• After winning the reverse fixture 2-1 in November, Derby County will be looking to record a first league double over Coventry City since the 2009-10 season.

• Coventry City have failed to win any of their past nine away league games against Derby County (D6 L3), since a 3-1 victory in October 2003.

• Derby are winless in their previous three midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games (D1 L2), failing to score in both of the previous two.

• Coventry have won each of their past four away league games; only in December 2012 in the third tier have the Sky Blues enjoyed a longer winning run on their travels in the EFL (six games).

• Coventry have only lost two of their past 18 away league games against newly promoted opposition (W11 D5), a 2-1 defeat at Ipswich last season and 4-1 loss to Portsmouth this term.

"I think it's a good game to have. I'd rather be playing Coventry on Tuesday then going up against somebody in the bottom three, bottom four – we've got that to come.

"So, its really good that we can build that momentum.

"For the first time, Eustace can say, 'look, all the work that we've been doing on the training ground, we've seen the benefit today by getting that victory and it was the manner of the victory that's important as much as the result.'"

Colin Gibson is joined by former Derby County goalkeeper Eric Steele and ex-Rams striker Malcolm Christie to discuss Derby County's run-in until the end of the season following their first win of the calendar year.

You can listen to the full episode and more on the Rams Daily podcast.