Preston 0-1 Derby: A statement victory for Eustace?

Despite his quiet, mild-mannered persona, one of the things that is coming to define John Eustace’s near year at Pride Park is a decisive transfer policy.

After thirteen departures in the summer, this week it was the turn of the last two players of the season, Curtis Nelson and Ebou Adams. Two players Derby likely would not be in the Championship without.

Ruthless Eustace is certainly getting the chance to shape this Rams squad in his image, albeit it has been a process due to squad churn and fitness issues. At last, this was a chance to return to his best XI to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation as was deployed against Leeds in the FA Cup.

Based on the showing at Deepdale, this is an exciting prospect.

Travelling to face top-six Preston, Derby limited Paul Heckingbottom’s men to very little in the first half. The combative duo of captain Lewis Travis and David Ozoh, who was making his first start since November, were in control as they won the midfield battle alongside the more attack-minded Bobby Clark.

Admittedly, attacking quality was lacking at both ends of the pitch, The Rams’ best chance coming when Sondre Langås headed wide from one of many corners. But in contrast to the flat second half which saw their FA Cup run end before it had really begun six days earlier, they found another gear after the break.

Clearly having benefitted from a bit of a rest last weekend, Patrick Agyemang was lively up front, though still best when on the left flank. The American’s finishing left a lot to be desired when he squandered what can only be described as a sitter in the 48^th minute.

Travis played a smart ball to Ben Brereton Díaz, whose low-drilled cross was left by Rhian Brewster for Agyemang, but the American blazed his shot over the gaping goal.

Brewster soon missed another big chance, the ball put on a plate by Ozoh before Jack Walton saved his dink.

The breakthrough finally came with eight minutes to play, as Agyemang atoned for his earlier miss by superbly glancing Brereton Díaz’s cross into the bottom-left corner, this time getting the Chilean a deserved assist.

It was another excellent display from the Southampton loanee on the right, his stinging drive having been pushed away by Walton in the previous phase of play.

He may not have scored, but has a Derby player ever embodied ‘new year, new me’ this much?

With The Rams back up to 12^th with a midweek trip to The Valley to come, the only real criticism against a promotion hopeful: they should have scored more.

Midfield dynamic makes the difference

Having previously been scuppered by injuries, this was just the second time we’ve seen what appears to be Eustace’s preferred midfield three: Travis and Ozoh in the middle with Bobby Clark ahead of them. And the trio excelled, making a combined 24 defensive contributions, while bringing structure and composure to Derby’s in-possession play.

This performance felt like a good step towards Eustace’s long-term tactical vision. We know he wants his side to control the ball more, while maintaining their work ethic, and at 49 per cent, this was their highest possession share in a league victory this season.

With Clark a key part of this, it is not difficult to see why “sign him up” chants were bellowed from the away end as he went off.

Most importantly, The Rams looked more comfortable on the ball than I can remember seeing them all campaign. It showed in chance creation: only one this season, away to Sheffield United (2.15) have Derby amassed more xG than the 1.76 they racked up at Deepdale.

I must temper this with the Eustace mantra: “not too high, not too low”. Even though Charlton and West Brom are not high-flyers, two more games inside a week will still provide a further test to his squad’s mettle.

But Carlton Morris is still to return, as well as Max Johnston, and further reinforcements are hopefully on the horizon. There are definite reasons to be optimistic that this display can be replicated.

So, while we fans can reminisce a little over the service of departing Rams, Eustace and co. must continue to look forward.

If this performance was anything to go by, their strategy is paying off.

Goal: Agyemang 82’

Preston (3-4-2-1): Walton (GK); Storey, Gibson, Offiah; Potts (Valentín 68’), McCann (Thompson 79’), Whiteman, Lewis (Small 58’); Devine, Dobbin (Smith 79’); Osmajić (Jebbison 67’).

Unused Substitutes: Cornell (GK); Lindsay, Nelson; Frokjær.

Derby (4-2-3-1): Zetterström (GK); Ward, Langås, Clarke, Elder; Travis (C), Ozoh (Thompson 73’); Brereton Díaz, Clark (Weimann 89’), Brewster (Fraulo 72’); Agyemang (Salvesen 89’).

Unused Substitutes: O’Donnell (GK), Price (GK); Forsyth, Nyambe; Blackett-Taylor.