Derby Uni hosts John Eustace's pre-Ipswich press conference

John Eustace with the nine students, including myself, who put questions to him. Photo: University of Derby.

Even during a week that has featured the quagmire of deadline day, deal sheets and the usual pre-match preparations, John Eustace has still found time to visit the University of Derby for his pre-match press conference.

While it comes during what must be one of the busier weeks of the season, at least the Derby head coach will no longer have to bat away transfer rumours.

And of course, the event following a 5-0 win helps.

On an otherwise dull and damp afternoon, his arrival, alongside the professional media, creates quite the buzz at Kedleston Road, where both Sports and Football Journalism students gather. Some of us are fortunate enough to be able to put a question of our own to The Rams’ boss.

Saturday lunchtime’s clash with Ipswich leads the agenda, followed by questions on deadline day arrivals Sammie Szmodics and Derry Murkin, and the fitness of Carlton Morris and Jacob Widell Zetterström.

Eustace calls Szmodics “a top performer at this level”. 12 goals in 18 Championship games under the former Rams midfielder and a second-tier golden boot back this up.  

But the 46-year-old is also keen to highlight “some really good business” across the squad, including moving six players on too.

It was a deal Eustace at one point thought might not happen, heralding the introduction of ‘deal sheets’, which allowed EFL clubs further time to finalise transfers, bringing them in line with the Premier League.

The Ireland international will bring “competition for places” according to his new-but-not-so-new boss. And while some have viewed the 30-year-old’s arrival as direct competition for Bobby Clark, Eustace sees things differently.

He said: “I think he can play in all four positions in the forward line; I played him in all four positions when I was at Blackburn.

“So, he’s going to help Bobby, he’s going to help Rhian [Brewster], he’s going to help Carlton [Morris], Patrick [Agyemang] and Bez [Ben Brereton Díaz] as well.

“It’s just important we have competition in all of the forward areas”, he adds, referencing Jaydon Banel and Oscar Fraulo too.

Being on loan from Ipswich, Szmodics will be ineligible for this weekend’s game. But

Murkin “will be in the squad” after arriving from FC Utrecht on Monday.

The 26-year-old was born in Colchester, but after moving to the Netherlands at a young age, has spent his entire career playing in either Holland or Germany.

While the form of Callum Elder hopefully means he will not need to be rushed into the side, Eustace believes he has the qualities to make an impact in English football.

He explained: “He’s an attacking left back; it’ll give us another dimension on how we want to play.”

There was less positive news on Zetterström, who is “still probably a couple of weeks away” after suffering from a virus.

Sondre Langås will be out for “three or four weeks” with a hamstring issue, while Carlton Morris joined the group for part of training on Thursday, but will not be ready for the weekend.

But regardless of injuries or boosts from new signings and a huge win last time out, facing a promotion-chasing Ipswich side will provide a tough test.

“With Ipswich having the second-highest average possession figure in the division, and all of Derby’s wins coming while having less of the ball, does this represent a good chance to take your league leading away-form back to Pride Park?”  I ask.

I spoke to John Eustace as part of the press conference. Photo: University of Derby.

“Maybe.” Eustace says tentatively, walking the line between humouring me and my stats, while not appearing overconfident, and giving little away.

“They’re a top team with top players, so, I don’t think it really matters to them whether they’ve got the ball or not.

“We know it’s going to be a really difficult task; they’ve got two players in every position that can come on and be match winners.

“We’re playing against a really good team with a really good manager and the way they’ve done it over the past two or three years is something that other clubs can look at as well.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge.”

The press conference is believed to be the first of its kind in the country. Photo: University of Derby.

Most striking to me though, was Eustace’s response when asked whether Derby have been one of the division’s surprise packages.

He said: “I think from the outside looking in, possibly, yeah.”

While maintaining his steadfast stance that hitting 50 points must be his side’s first goal, and simply describing Saturday as “another game”, a hint more optimism peeks through.

The Derby boss adds: “There are 16 games to go. My main focus is to get to 50 points; it’s always been that focus.

“And then let’s see where we are when we hit the 50 points.”

On a day designed to boost the futures of University of Derby students, it is clear that Eustace is thinking positively about Derby County’s too.