adminJohn Eustace issues Derby County rallying cry ahead of ‘biggest game of the season’
Derby County host relegation battlers Oxford United in a crunch Championship clash on Saturday (12:30pm)
John Eustace has called for a final flurry from his ‘exceptional’ Derby County players as they prepare for a must-win match against Oxford United.
Fans at Pride Park will be expectant on Saturday lunchtime when the Rams host Oxford in a match where both teams need three points for different reasons.
While Derby are clinging onto the coattails of the top-six, a win for Oxford would lift them out of the relegation zone – temporarily at least.
Derby have won five of their last eight games – losing to automatic promotion chasers Millwall, promoted Coventry City and in-form Southampton – to stay in touch with sixth-placed Hull City.
That is despite mounting injury issues. Patrick Agyemang and Rhian Brewster won’t play until next season, with Bobby Clark unlikely to feature again in the regular league campaign.
“I think with the number of injuries we’ve had and the way we’ve started the season, that the effort that the group have put in day in, day out, in every game has been exceptional,” said Rams boss Eustace.
“They’ve certainly been going through the pain barrier for the football club and for each other, and it’s now important in the final four games that we give it our best to see if we can extend the season.”
The five-point swing Derby need to gazump Hull is possible, but they can ill-afford a slip up to Oxford.
“There’s some pressure,” admits Eustace. “We always take each game as it comes. We prepare properly for every game that we play in the Championship – and this won’t be any different. We’ve got obviously our aims where we want to get to – and Saturday’s game is the biggest game of the season. It’s a game that we’re looking forward to.
“It’s a difficult Championship game, and we will have to bring a fight and desire to it.”
Derby last played in the Premier League almost two decades ago and while there have been flirtations with a return – not least two agonising play-off final defeats – the club has stared into the abyss and been down to League One and back.
Now the club is stable and progressing quickly on the field under Eustace, the goal of reaching the Premier League is a realistic one.
“It’s going to take a massive effort over the next two to three years to try and get there if we’re not lucky enough to get there this season – but it’s got to be a huge effort from the players, staff and the fans,” he said.
“That’s why building that winning culture, that winning environment, is very important.
“Success is built over a number of years, I feel, and we’re making good strides forward. It’s a really exciting place to come, and it’s one where everyone connected with the football club is very proud of what they’ve achieved over recent years.”
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