PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW: Eustace braced for Derby’s busy week on the road

Head Coach John Eustace says Derby County are braced for another typically demanding week of Sky Bet Championship action.

The Rams face back-to-back away fixtures over the coming days, starting with a visit to Swansea City on Tuesday night (7:45pm kick-off) before hitting the road once more when they head to promotion-chasing Middlesbrough on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Derby will make the trip to Swansea for midweek action under the floodlights looking to bounce back from Saturday’s 3-2 loss at home to Watford, tasting defeat for the first time in over a month despite taking a two-goal lead early in the second period.

Despite seeing their impressive five-match winning sequence come to an end, there were still a number of positives on display against the Hornets and Derby remain in the top half of the second tier standings going into the midweek fixtures, as well as their strong unity and togetherness.

Eustace spoke to RamsTV to preview the clash against the Swans and the challenges of three-game week, notably when making long journeys across the country.

On the challenges of a three-game week…

It is always about making sure the squad is ready, fit, available and rested. Three-game weeks are always challenging in the Championship, and we’ve got two tough away matches coming up this week with a lot of travelling. We’ve got a great medical department here, and sports science side, so they’ll make sure the boys are ready to go.

On facing two clubs this week that have had managerial departures recently…

It maybe can change some things, but for us we have to look after ourselves and prepare in the same way. That is what we will always do, worry about ourselves. It will be a difficult game on Tuesday at Swansea, I am sure they will all have a point to prove. It will be a tough ask, but it is a game we will be ready for.