Eustace aims to find 'consistency' in Derby squadpublished at 16:22 BST
John Eustace speaks before Derby's game against Preston North End
Derby County boss John Eustace said it has been a "really good week" following his side's first win of the season, as he and his players strive to bring some consistency to their performances.
Derby's 1-0 victory over Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion last Saturday was their first of the campaign, also delivering an opening clean sheet of 2025-26.
"It has been a really good week," Eustace told BBC Radio Derby. "Win, lose or draw, the lads are always in a really positive state of mind, and that was no different this Monday.
"It was great to get our first victory of the season, but their is a lot of hard work ahead, and the lads have worked really hard this week.
"It is about doing the right things week in week out on the training pitch, and keeping that level of consistency and seeing where it takes us."
Derby face Preston, Wrexham and Charlton over the next three games, two of which are newly-promoted sides in the Championship.
Preston have only lost one game this season to Portsmouth and are currently sat just outside the play-off spots, whilst Derby lie 19th.
While Derby's aspirations this term are to be about more than fighting relegation, Eustace is mindful that the turnover of players over the summer will naturally lead to early inconsistencies in their play.
"It is about winning games at the end of the day," added Eustace.
"You want to get the three points. You have to be very respectful of the opposition. Preston have had a really good start, a fantastic manager and they have recruited really well.
"They have a lot of experience in the league so we know it is going to be a really difficult game, and one we are really looking forward to.
"We want a style of play but we also want to win games, and it takes time to get exactly where we want to get to.
"We have had 13 new players come in, and moved 13 on. So, we haven't had that consistency of a starting 11 yet.
"With those levels of consistency [in your starting 11] your performances usually improve, until we get that it is important we just keep being competitive in every game we play."
Listen to the full pre-match interview with Eustace and more Derby County content on BBC Sounds
