INTERVIEW: Eustace Reviews ‘Exciting’ Transfer Window and Previews Ipswich Home Clash

John Eustace reflected on an ‘exciting’ transfer window and spelt out Derby County’s desire to build momentum at Pride Park Stadium following recent successes on the road.

The Rams romped to a 5-0 win against Bristol City last Friday, in their eighth away win of the season.

The Derby boss is hoping to translate this away form into points back at home, where fine margins have seen six draws and four wins from 15 games in DE22 so far this season.

The transfer window also came to a close following the Bristol match - and Derby brought in two further signings after the weekend, with left-back Derry Murkin arriving from FC Utrecht and Sam Szmodics making the loan switch from this weekend’s opponents Ipswich.

Eustace sat down with RamsTV to preview Saturday’s home clash with Ipswich and reflect on the transfer window and last Friday night’s win in Bristol.

On the Rams’ Deadline Day Deals

I'm delighted with all the work that the recruitment team have done throughout the window. It has been a really exciting window for us. We've moved six players on to be able to create the room to do that as well. I felt it was really important to keep evolving the football club.

We have to keep bringing fresh faces in and try to move some on. I'd also like to thank all those players (who have left) for their fantastic work since my time at the football club as well - and I wish them all the very best going forward.

Cover and competition is key, and Derry [Murkin] will give us that new dimension going forward [on the left]. He's more of an attacking full-back - he can play left wing as well. We're all really excited about what he can bring.

I know Sam [Szmodics] really well from working with him previously. He's a top performer at this level. He can play in all four positions across the front. So, it's a really exciting signing for us, and I spoke about how we only want to try and bring players in who can improve the squad and can make the rest of the group feel happy. Sam is certainly one of those players.

On The 5-0 Win At Bristol

I thought the attitude of the boys was fantastic. We could have easily turned up feeling a bit sorry for ourselves, being stuck in traffic for two and a half hours on the way. But I think when you see the full house of away fans behind that goal as well, there's no room for excuses.

You've got to give it your best, and everything that we did on the night went well. Our finishing was exceptional. The way we defended was very good. It was an all-round very, very good performance.

But it came off the back of some real top performances before that as well in that three-game week, Preston North End, Charlton Athletic and West Bromwich Albion.

On Capturing Momentum to Take Points at Home

We've just got to keep working hard and keep believing in what we're doing. We're coming up against probably the best team in the league - the best squad and a fantastic manager.