Derby County

A new episode of BBC Radio Derby's Rams Weekly podcast is now available.

Malcolm Christie, Dominic Dietrich and Ed Dawes answer your questions and look ahead to Saturday's return to action against Wrexham.

Listen above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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Derby County will hope to kick-start their Championship season when they welcome Wrexham to Pride Park on Saturday (kick-off 15:00 BST).

The Rams are in the relegation zone after just one win from their opening eight games and are without a victory in their past four matches (D1 L3).

Wrexham ended a run of three games without a win by beating Southampton 2-1 at home before the international break and start the weekend in mid-table.

• Derby County failed to beat Wrexham in the Championship last season (D1 L1) and the Rams have won one of their past six league games against them (D3 L2).

• Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has lost three of his four league visits to Derby County, with all three seeing his side fail to score. However, the other was a 2-1 win with Wrexham at Pride Park last season.

• Derby have just five points in eight Championship matches this season (W1 D2 L5), their worst tally at this stage of a league season since 2020-21 (also five), eventually finishing 21st that season.

• Only Lincoln City (3) have more away Championship clean sheets this season than Wrexham (2), although the Red Dragons were beaten 6-0 in their most recent away game against West Ham, their heaviest Football League loss since February 2004 and a 6-0 loss at Bournemouth.

• Derby have just one point in their previous five home league games (D1 L4), having won six in a row beforehand. They've lost their past three at Pride Park with the last Derby manager to lose four on the bounce at home being Phillip Cocu (five between July and October 2020).

Robbie Savage will have his first crack at management in the EFL after taking over at Peterborough United, while Michael Duff has replaced Graham Alexander at Bradford City.

Savage and Duff both appear on the latest 72+ EFL podcast with Jobi McAnuff, who is joined by Luke Chambers and Tommy Smith.

The panel also discuss the teams who have impressed and disappointed them in the Championship so far this season.

Spoiler alert... Stoke City, Swansea City, QPR, Burnley, Norwich City and Derby County all get a mention.

Listen to the full episode above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby commentator

Image source, Getty Images

Seven games to save the season? Maybe.

Derby County head coach John Eustace is a football man, from Premier League player to Championship midfield stalwart on the field, and a producer of miracles off it.

One win in nine at the start of his second full season at the helm of the Rams is not a great record in anyone's book.

In 2024-25, he inherited a group of players at rock bottom mentally, "a squad of League One players with a sprinkling of sugar", as his predecessor Paul Warne said.

After two narrow 1-0 losses, he instilled belief and a work ethic that saw them win four games in a row. They lost only twice more in the next eleven games, winning six, and survived.

Last season, his first full campaign, his Rams side finished eighth in the Championship table and were pipped to the play-offs in the second half of that final game against Sheffield United.

It is forgotten that the start of the 2025-26 season was littered with injured players, late transfer activity and new recruits who were not fit and ready for action.

After eight games last season, they had seven points. One win at West Brom, standard, and a cluster of draws. Games they could have won, games they should have won.

But the difference between then and now is having more than 75% of your first-choice players fit.

A fit squad enables coaching. It means three weeks away from the fixture list can be used to work on patterns of play, build confidence and get energy reserves working.

Right now, Derby County's international break has seen training numbers reduced to barely double figures on the grass at times. Meanwhile, the treatment room will have been working overtime.

So, what realistically can any coach do if his players are injured or away on international duty? Very little. It becomes about man-management and checking the medical bulletin.

Not having the core spine of your team ready for selection is damaging. We all know how important that is, and how one or two absences can be handled if you still have that central pillar.

The collapse of the Saudi takeover put the Rams on the back foot, which is surprising considering the deal was mooted at the end of May, talks were then confirmed and, until 10 August, it was all systems go.

Three different people said the club wanted to go one better and compete for the Premier League this season, which, on the face of it, was the correct trajectory.

So, when the transfer window concluded, many people were left scratching their heads and searching the internet for the playing history of their new heroes.

There is nothing to say that the Rams squad right now could not be the strongest in years when the full roster is available.

Sadly, it isn't available, and those are the cards the head coach must deal with.

What is most frustrating is the constant injury cycle.

Why does it keep happening?

What is it about Derby County's day-to-day, pre-match preparation, training and post-game formula that means players are breaking down?

Are the pitches too hard at Moor Farm? Could Derby fly to long-distance games? Would that help with recovery post-match? Are players being rushed back early because numbers are low? Are they simply injury-prone players?

Who knows?

Different messages come in interviews from across the set-up. "The players are injured" is never offered as an excuse for poor results, but it is a fact.

The squad is weaker when some of your top players aren't near it.

Currently, the Rams look weaker than at any time in their recent second-tier revival.

As for head coach Eustace, right now he cuts a frustrated figure.

The mood music from the boardroom points towards going one better than last season.

If he can turn the form around, get players back fit and get those signed for him ready for this level, he has a big chance to finish in the top eight and reach the play-offs.

Eustace knows it is a results-driven business and that patience in football only lasts so long. But, given what he has already achieved at Derby, he has earned the chance to get his players back, get his team on the pitch and show what this squad can really do.

There are 38 games left. Seven of them come before the next international break. That feels like a fair place to start judging where this season - and Eustace - are really heading.

A new episode of BBC Radio Derby's Rams Weekly podcast is now available.

Malcolm Christie, Dominic Dietrich and Ed Dawes discuss the highs and lows of Derby County's season so far, injuries and much more.

Listen above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Amelia Warren
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Sometimes in football there are moments where drawing feels like winning.

Derby have had a disappointing start to the season so far, winning only one game out of a possible eight, drawing twice, and losing five.

The Rams' position in the league table going into the first international break of the season isn't ideal, despite it probably being a fair reflection of how they have performed in both boxes so far this campaign, with a minus seven goal difference only backing that up.

Every club wants to take momentum into an extended break, but when you're in and around the bottom three, getting a result for the morale and confidence of the team feels extra important.

Derby have shown resilience at times this season, but Saturday felt different.

Despite having more shots, shots on target, and creating greater clear-cut chances than fellow strugglers Burnley, the Rams found themselves staring down the barrel of a fourth-straight defeat and going into the international break rock bottom of the Championship.

Step forward Mohammed Fuseini.

For the longest time Derby have been crying out for pace on the wings.

Patrick Agyemang offered Derby something raw and slightly different last season, but was always more about power and physicality than just pace.

Since signing on loan from Union Saint-Gilloise on deadline day, Fuseini has been one of Derby's brightest sparks.

Whilst his end product hasn't been consistently brilliant so far, his fearless attacking approach, confidence to beat his man, desire to get shots on goal, and willingness to utilise his pace to stretch defences and make runs in behind are attributes that have been there for all to see.

It goes without saying when you're in a bit of a rot, you need someone in your team who has the ability to produce a moment of magic and get supporters on their feet.

Fuseini absolutely brings that.

Saturday felt like the perfect example of how important his presence, particularly off the bench, is going to be throughout the season.

Bringing a player on who is that explosive will be an absolute nightmare for opposition full-backs, especially when they're tiring towards the end of matches.

You can only imagine the more he gets used to the new environment, new team-mates, and John Eustace's playing style, the more confident and valuable he will become.

When the Rams get players back to full fitness throughout the campaign, they have the ability to utilise both Fuseini, and Agyemang, on either flank.

With Carlton Morris as the number nine, and those two either side of him, you can see Derby becoming quite the force to be reckoned with in an attacking sense later on in the season.

Here and now though, Fuseini's sensational strike to secure Derby a last-gasp point has turned despair into hope.

Providing the team and its supporters with positives to hold on to throughout the interval, alongside a feeling that the Rams can kickstart a revival when the next block of fixtures begin on 10 October.

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

Don't forget to tap the 'follow' button at the top of this page to stay up to date with the latest Derby County news.

We asked for your thoughts after Derby County came back to snatch a point late-on and deny Burnley their first win of the season at Turf Moor on Saturday.

Here are some of your comments:

Burnley fans

Paul: Very poor, uninspiring performance against a poor team.

Mike: You go hire a manager who's been at 12 clubs in 13 years, no experience in English football and you expect him to rebuild a side in the Championship to survive in the Premier League. Alan Pace needs to give head a good hard shake. Team seems to have little or no direction.

Michael: We seemed to be holding tight until the strange 90th minute substitution by Hayen that took off a left-back who had had a good game and brought on another right back. Two minutes later and the guy our left back had kept at bay for almost the whole game suddenly finds himself unmarked with a quarter of the pitch to himself. Nerves are bound to be there but what a strange sub to make.

Gav: My view is give it 10 games as Hayen had limited pre-season and a completely new squad. You can still get play offs with 36 games to go. That said, the chopping and changing and lack of structure is a worry. I have no idea how we play and it's difficult to see what the plan is. This is on the board.

Mark: Hopeless. Hayen definitely out of his depth, needs to go and now, his substitutions made no sense and were awful. I think if Hayen stays we're down. Team seem to not want to play for him, the only highlight was that we managed to score from a set-piece.

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County fans

Per: Much improved, good point in the end and we could even had won the game. Sammie Szmodics was outstanding and Fuseini's pace is just what this team needs!

Tim: Take the point, but we're not setting the division alight right now. Ozoh is a class apart, but the team lacks clear attacking intent. That said great goal at the death.

Philip: Pathetic. I have followed Derby since 1965, this is by far the worst Rams (more like Lambs) team I have ever seen.

John: Small acorns at the moment. Better structure and attractive movements. If their home form can improve then a safe midtable position is possible before Christmas. Top eight is a long stretch given the money available.

Tim W: I've found some real hope for this side since the new signings. Ozoh is immense, and great having some speed in the team with Fuseini - best finish I've seen from Derby in ages (and best celebration!).

Image source, Shutterstock

Derby defender Eiran Cashin is facing two months on the sidelines with a calf injury.

Cashin returned to Pride Park at the start of this month on a loan deal from Brighton for the rest of the season, having started his career at the club and previously playing 144 games.

He started in the defeats to West Brom and Birmingham, playing almost the full 90 minutes in both for the Rams, but was absent from their matchday squad against Burnley.

"Cash is out now for about eight weeks, he's done his calf," manager John Eustace told BBC Radio Derby.

Derby County manager John Eustace spoke to BBC Radio Derby after Mo Fuseini scored a stoppage-time equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor.

For a written selection of his quotes, click here.

Defender Eiran Cashin says Derby County still "feels like home" after returning to the club on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The 24-year-old left the Rams in January 2025 for the Premier League side on a £9m deal and has since gone out on loan to Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers in the Championship.

His latest temporary switch has him back at Pride Park with his boyhood club, where he previously featured 144 times after emerging from the Rams' academy in 2021.

"There is something special about being at Pride Park – it's the best feeling," Cashin told BBC East Midlands Today.

"It feels like home, to be honest. I feel so proud to put the shirt on."

You can see more from Cashin, and what Rams boss John Eustace has to say about the defender, in the video piece above from BBC East Midlands Today's Charlie Slater.

Losing goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom until late October with a knee injury has come as a "big blow" to Derby County, says head coach John Eustace.

The injury to the Sweden international was originally thought to rule Derby's number one out for two months, but Eustace put a shorter time frame of "five or six weeks" on his absence.

"He's not in a good way," Eustace told BBC Radio Derby.

"It's a big blow to the team, a big blow to us and to him."

With Derby having gone without the Swede because of illness for a number of weeks last season, Eustace says he has reason to have faith in the goalkeepers he still has available in Josh Vickers and Richard O'Donnell

"Josh or Rich will step up now," he said. "They didn't let us down last season and I'm sure they won't again this season.

I'm delighted with the goalkeeping unit. I think over the past 18 months their development has been fantastic. And whoever steps in will be ready."

Click the play button above to listen to more from Eustace as he looks ahead to Saturday's trip to Burnley.

Burnley continue their search for a first league win since beating Crystal Palace on 11 February while their last league victory at home was against Leeds United on 18 October 2025.

Derby County are also struggling but their last win did come on the road at Portsmouth.

• Burnley remain unbeaten in 14 league meetings with Derby County (W9 D5) since a 1-0 defeat in January 2007.

• Derby County are winless in nine league visits to Burnley (D4 L5) since a 2-0 victory in October 2004 under George Burley.

• Burnley remain winless in 19 league matches (D7 L12); only once in their history have they gone 20+ without victory, a run of 24 from April to November 1979.

• Derby have lost each of their past three league games, last losing more in a row in February 2025 (7).

• Derby's Jacob Widell Zetterström has made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the Championship so far this season (28), while ranking third for goals prevented (2.2) behind Max O'Leary (3.6) and Gavin Bazunu (2.8).

A new episode of BBC Radio Derby's Rams Weekly podcast is now available.

Malcolm Christie, Ed Dawes and Amelia Warren discuss all the latest Derby County news, including goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom's injury following defeat to Birmingham City.

Listen above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Ed Dawes
BBC Radio Derby commentator

Image source, Shutterstock

The injury to goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom is the latest setback for Derby County head coach John Eustace.

The Sweden international has been vital for the Rams this season, behind a team which has seen a number of changes in front of him.

Zetterstrom has made 30 saves, kept one clean sheet and played every minute of Derby's opening seven Championship matches before suffering his knee injury.

Injuries have become a recurring theme at Pride Park. Across the past two seasons, around 18 first-team players have missed at least five games through injury, forcing Derby into repeated reshuffles and disrupting any chance of continuity.

Long-term absentees last season included Carlton Morris, Patrick Agyemang and Zetterstrom himself.

This season, the Rams' bad luck has continued. Defender Matt Clarke was injured in the Carabao Cup opener and Derry Murkin is yet to kick a ball.

Captain Lewis Travis picked up an injury against Swansea, defender Craig Forsyth suffered a knee injury, while both Rhian Brewster and Henrik Meister have spent time in concussion protocols following head injuries.

Derby's squad is not deep enough to absorb this volume of setbacks without feeling the effects. Players are returning from injury while others are still adapting to the demands of the Championship.

Add a dip in form from some key individuals and it's easy to understand why consistency has proved elusive.

There is plenty of football still to be played, but if Derby are to climb the table, Eustace will need both better fortune and a healthier squad in the weeks ahead.

Amelia Warren
Fan writer

Derby have not started the same back four in successive games since 29 August, where they opted to play the same defence that lined up against Cardiff City in their 2-2 draw the week before.

Most teams that are successful in the Championship often prioritise building from the back, making themselves hard to score against and hard to beat.

To do that you often have to have a settled back line who understand each other and therefore can communicate more effectively, cover for each other better when required, and ultimately reduce the amount of errors that can lead to conceding goals.

Derby at the moment look like a team who don't have a settled back four.

Max Johnston, Joe Ward, Ryan Nyambe, Dion Sanderson, Sondre Langas, Eiran Cashin, Charlie Taylor, and Craig Forsyth have all featured across the Rams back line in different defensive combinations since the start of the campaign.

John Eustace doesn't seem to know which defensive players and combinations he prefers at current.

It's a problem that needs solving, and fast, if Derby want to stop conceding goals and losing football matches.

Image source, Getty Images

On Saturday, we saw once again, the lack of chemistry Derby's defensive unit has at the moment.

Taylor was fooled by the run of Carlos Vicente in the lead up to Birmingham City's equaliser. A simple fake to run inside left Taylor running towards the same space as Cashin.

The full-back made a last ditch attempt to try and prevent Vicente from scoring at the far post, ultimately getting caught under the ball and allowing the Blues number seven to head home.

For the second goal, Langas became too invested in Christoph Klarer trying to make himself a nuisance to Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, leaving the Rams goalkeeper rooted to the spot and unable to deal with the delivery from the corner kick.

Furthermore Langas' lack of engagement in the set-piece left Paik Seung-Ho unmarked, and able to ghost in at the far post to score the simplest of headers.

It goes without saying that both of the goals Derby conceded on Saturday were incredibly soft, but it is also no secret that the Rams are lucky Birmingham weren't more clinical on the day, as they could have conceded four or five.

An improvement in an attacking sense amounts to absolutely nothing if you can't keep the back door shut.

Despite more positive patterns of play, more urgency in the final third, and more problems being caused to the opposition's defence, the result simply didn't change, and Derby fell to their third straight defeat.

Until the Rams can field a consistent and settled back four, you feel they will continue to concede goals.

The long term injuries to Derry Murkin, and reigning player of the season, Matt Clarke, are far from ideal. If those two players were fully fit, they would undoubtedly be two of the first names on the team sheet for Eustace.

That being said, Derby need to deal with the cards they have been dealt, and try and find a way to fill in the gaps until those players can return.

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

Image source, Shutterstock

We asked for your thoughts after Birmingham City's 2-1 win over Derby County at Pride Park.

Here are some of your comments:

Derby fans

PianoMan: As a Rams fan, it's painful to watch this. We are not a team right now. Too many errors caused by a lack of communication, confidence and knowledge of how John Eustace wants to play (if there is a strategy?).

We are shocking. Injuries are significant and we have to ask why... why so many players are injury prone. Recruitment need to look at this. We are in trouble. Teams know we are poor and can beat us.

Philip: Eustace has got to sort out our defensive weaknesses otherwise we will be so far behind the rest. The season will be over before it's started.

Daniel: Not good enough. Surely time's up for John Eustace?

David: Well done to Birmingham. We had plenty of possession, but I worry that our forward play is going to make this a tough season.

Kazzian: Another game with no ambition by Derby to win the game, totally devoid of ideas around the penalty area. Stood and watched Birmingham play football. One effort on goal at home in the first-half tells the story. Could and probably should have been 5-1. Dire.

Image source, Shutterstock

Birmingham fans

Tony R: A good away performance. Competent and measured. We looked decent in attack (Liam Millar did well again) and strong defensively (Christoph Klarer's best game of the season?). The sort of game we would probably have lost last season, so a big 'well done' to Davies and the players.

George: Desperately need to work on our finishing. I wouldn't say bringing on a host of defenders to manage the game is a good idea either. It invites what we saw at the end of the match, an onslaught. If it ain't broke, don't fix it Davies!

Major: A hard-fought, fully-deserved victory for Blues. So much better than the insipid loss up there a few months back. 10 points from a murderous row of opening fixtures should hopefully be a good platform to build on from here. Well done also to James Beadle, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Chris Davies for sticking it to the doubters!

KhanDjarin: What a signing Liam Millar has been so far. Lively start to his time in a Blues shirt!

James: What a game of football that is. Easily the best defensive performance from Birmingham this season and outstanding from Beadle in goal. How Luis Vasquez has missed that is beyond me, and it's not like it's the first time he's missed blatant opportunities. Unbelievable that Blues didn't score more but a win is a well-deserved after all.