Head Coach John Eustace says his Derby County side are ‘looking forward to the challenge’ of taking on one of the Sky Bet Championship’s top teams this weekend.
Derby will round off a busy week of action on the pitch with a trip north to take on Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Boro, who sit third in the league standings and have enjoyed a strong start to the campaign so far, are under new management after appointing Kim Hellberg as their Head Coach on Monday and the clash with the Rams will be his first in charge of his new side.
Derby will make the visit to Teesside looking to build on their 2-1 victory at Swansea City on Tuesday night, showing the perfect reaction to the 3-2 reverse at home to Watford on Saturday in their first outing following the November international break and picking up their sixth win in seven matches.
Eustace sat down with RamsTV at Moor Farm Training Ground on Thursday to preview Derby’s visit to the Riverside Stadium to conclude another three-game week in the second tier.
His reflections on the win at Swansea on Tuesday…
I was delighted with the performance. The way the boys went about their business was very professional in what was a difficult match, especially with a new Head Coach going in at Swansea and their players having a point to prove. I was delighted with the way the boys battled and we used our squad to the maximum. Every player was outstanding.
On the players coming into the starting line-up and being ready…
I say it a lot, but it is about the squad – always. I expressed the need for everyone to be ready last year before my first game in charge and it is always the case. It isn’t about any individual; it isn’t about the starting line-up. It is about every single player in the squad, and they will be vital over the course of the 46-game season. Games are won between Monday and Friday with how you go about your work and the attitude of the boys every day in training has been excellent. The standards are driven from day one and I demand lot from the players and staff as the Head Coach. The lads are now driving those standards themselves and that is the only way you grow that team spirit, through the good times and the tough moments. We’ve had both of those so far this season, as we did last year in staying up in the way we did. We’ve got some good, experienced players here and some exciting younger ones too, and it does take time for it to come together. We’ve got more growth to come, but we’re in a good place.
On youngster on Owen Eames being in the matchday squad at Swansea.…
It is a great experience for him, being around really good players and senior professionals too. Owen is certainly a player that has caught my eye since I have been at the football club. He has a great attitude, an eye for goal and his work ethic is excellent. We are excited he is with the group at the moment. It is great to see how he is developing as a player coming through in the Academy.
On the weekend’s visit to Middlesbrough…
They are a top team. They recruited very well in the summer and have lots of experience and great coaches there. Adi Viveash did a great job in the time between when Rob Edwards left and the new, exciting Head Coach coming in. We know it will be a difficult game, but it is one we’re looking forward to the challenges of going up against one of the top teams in the league.
