INTERVIEW: Rams Relishing ‘Fantastic Support in Packed Out Pride Park’ - Eustace

John Eustace says Derby County are poised for a difficult contest but will be boosted by ‘fantastic support’ at a sold-out Pride Park Stadium on Saturday.

The Rams face Sheffield United in their final scheduled game of the regular Sky Bet Championship season.

Derby go into the match knowing the final play-off spot in the division could still be in reach if results are favourable elsewhere.

The Head Coach spoke to RamsTV to preview his side’s home clash with the Blades.

Reflecting on a Season of Pride and Progress

Proud of everyone at the Football Club, not just this season, but last season as well. This is a growth from then. The build started last year, and just that togetherness and the commitment for everyone involved in the football club has been magnificent.

There's still a hell of a lot of hard work ahead, and there's still more that we've all got to do, for sure, to make sure that we're one of the top teams in the league and in the country going forward. That's why we're here, we're building properly, and over the course of this season, I couldn't be any prouder of everyone connected to the club.

On the Squad’s End of Season Awards Dinner Winners

I think with Matt Clarke, he hasn't missed one game, he trains every day, he plays in every game, he's a magnet in both boxes, he's a seven out of ten every game. He's fully committed to the club and to his teammates, so he's done terrific. To get the amount of appearances and to play at the level that he's played week in, week out has been fantastic.

He's had a lot of help as well from those around him, for sure. It's certainly not an individual game, and the rest of the players have certainly helped him get the best out of himself. With Bobby Clark, he's an absolutely fantastic human being, great lad.

His growth this season has been immense, really, from when he first came in with no fitness under his belt. Even looking at him when we played against Salzburg in the pre-season friendly, he came on for 10 minutes, and it was like, hold on a second, I'm not sure about this, but the way he's matured and really taken the instructions on has been fantastic. He's one of the top performers in the league and a really exciting prospect moving forward.

On Opponents, Sheffield United

Their squad is fantastic. Chris Wilder is a really experienced top manager at this level, and it certainly won't be an easy game for us.

They're on the back of two defeats previously to that. They've had two fantastic away wins. This is going to be a really difficult game for us and one that we're really looking forward to.

We're playing in front of a packed house with fantastic support, and we've got to be as competitive as we can be and see where it takes us.

On Recent Home Form – Winning in the Last Six at Pride Park

It does (give confidence), but of course, in the Championship, every game is difficult to prepare for, every game is difficult to win. This will be no different. Of course, we've got good momentum at home, but to win a game in the Championship is very tough, and this won't be any different.

It's going to be a really tough afternoon for us, but again, it's one we're really looking forward to.

On Potential Outcomes and Focusing on the Final Game

I think that we're not hiding away from it. Everyone will be on their radios, everyone will know what's going on, but all we can focus on is ourselves and control what we can do. It's really important that we don't get carried away with the hype and all that kind of stuff.

Let's just prepare properly in the right way, which we do every game, and try and win the game against Sheffield United and see where that takes us.