Derby County’s Stumble Out the Blocks: What’s Missing and What Must Change

Derby County’s Stumble Out the Blocks: What’s Missing and What Must Change

Derby County fans know more than most that it's the hope that kills you, and at the start of the season, with the signings the Rams made, fans were very hopeful of a strong season that could potentially lead to a top-half finish. However, Derby have struggled so far this campaign, winning just one game to date against West Brom.

Let’s go back to the end of the transfer window. The Rams made some top Championship signings in Carlton Morris, Andi Weimann, Danny Batth, Rhian Brewster, Owen Beck, Dion Sanderson & Lewis Travis. Experience, however, is one thing. Derby also looked overseas, and spent over £5 million on American international Patrick Agyemang, highly rated Scottish fullback Max Johnston, and (finally, after about three seasons) brought in Bobby Clark on loan from RB Salzburg. Let’s have a look into each signing individually:

Dion Sanderson

We may as well start with the teacher's pet himself; he’s like that annoying kid at school that just follows the headteacher around at break time asking for more homework to do in his own time. He’s followed Eustace around at three different clubs. Eustace has only managed five. It was always going to happen. However, to be fair to them both, Sanderson has started well (to the surprise of most Derby fans). He started off a bit dodgy, but he has stepped up and is performing well in the back three. He’s probably one of the first names on the team sheet currently.

Carlton Morris

Carlton Morris could be the best piece of transfer business we have done in a LONG, LONG time. We have craved a striker of his mould for years! pic.twitter.com/eOC0N1dheK

— Jamie (@JmePage) August 22, 2025

Derby fans were really happy with the signing of Morris, he was the first to come through the door at Pride Park. Derby fans thought they’d finally solved the ‘we need a proper number 9’ problem, trouble is, when your number 9 is starved of service, he may as well be standing outside Greggs waiting for a steak bake. Morris is a real handful, he’s strong in the air, causes defenders real problems - but you’ve got to give him the ball in the right areas. Derby aren’t doing that. Everyone can see that Morris will score goals.

Andi Weimann & Danny Batth

The pair added a lot of experience to a squad. In terms of impact, bar Weimann’s winner against West Brom, they’ve not really had any. Batth started a few at the start of the season, but looked poor. Weimann is a decent option off the bench, but won’t be getting many starts this season, I’m sure.

Rhian Brewster

Rhian Brewster is a fascinating one. A player who was once regarded as ‘the next big thing’. He’s also a Champions League winner, pretty sure he let the world know that in his barber shop, though. The problem with Brewster has been injuries, he’s injured again right now, which is frustrating for Derby fans because he looked really bright in his first few games. If Derby can keep him fit, and in-form, he could be a game changer.

Patrick Agyemang

The thing that still baffles me about this signing is the fact Derby spent over £5,000,000 on him - but he arrived injured, and missed the first 5 games of the season as he needed an operation, something Derby knew about before agreeing a deal. However, since he’s started to come into the team in recent weeks, he’s looked sharp. Fans are desperate to see him in action from the start, because if Derby are going to turn things around, Agyemang has to be central to it. He looks like the type of player that could win games on his own.

Max Johnston & Bobby Clark

After about three years, and around 1,000 episodes of Corrie, Derby finally signed Bobby Clark. He’s been that one player who’s been linked with the same club for years and has never materialised, until now. The former Liverpool youngster has shown glimpses, so far, as to why he was wanted by Leeds & Sunderland in the summer, but if I’m being honest, he looks a bit lightweight. I’m sure, though, that’s something that will come the more games he plays in the Championship. He’s untested at this level, but he brings something that Derby have been crying out for: creativity. If he’s given the freedom to play games and express himself, he could be a big player for the Rams this season. Next up, Max Johnston. Young, Scottish, and very highly rated. Sounds like the title of a Netflix documentary. Johnston is raw,full of energy, and is still adapting. Derby fans will need to be patient with him, but he’s one of those players who could very quickly turn into a star. Looking at it, Derby probably see him as an investment - one good season in the Championship, I’m sure will result in a load of Premier League clubs sniffing around.

Lewis Travis & Ben Brereton-Diaz

Travis is everything that Derby has been needing in midfield. He’s like an English Graeme Shinnie (just not as good looking). He’s not the typical ‘silky’ type of midfielder who’s going to spray 40-yard passes around the pitch all game, but sometimes you just need someone to do the dirty work. He certainly does that. And Derby fans have always loved a grafter.

And finally, Ben Brereton-Diaz. The end.

What is it that's holding the Rams back so far this season?

Creativity. Derby have only scored seven goals so far this season from open play, and a huge factor for that is they’re not getting enough players around Carlton Morris in the final third. John Eustace is known for his ‘solid’ style when setting up his teams, but, as Derby are starting to find out, that can also become a negative when trying to score goals. Keeping the ball out of the net is one thing, but to win games, you have to put it in the other end.

The recent game against Preston is a prime example, only two shots on target at home is poor. Fans weren’t happy at the end of the game, and to be fair to them, I feel it’s justified. Pride Park should be a fortress for the Rams if they want to comfortably survive this season. They also need some ruthlessness, somebody to grab the game by the horns (horns, Ram. Get it?) Too many games have passed Derby by, and Championship football is unforgiving - there’s no room for players who are going to hide, and shy away. I think, personally, there’s been too much of that so far this season. Too many players letting the game pass them by.

Defensively, they’re not terrible, but lapses in concentration have been costly, which I’m sure has frustrated John Eustace.

Injuries have also been a huge part of the slow start for Derby. Owen Beck hasn’t played a minute yet, £5,000,000+ man Patrick Agyemang is only just recovering from a hernia operation and is slowly starting to merge in the starting eleven, and signings Lewis Travis & Max Johnston were signed late on in the window.

My personal opinion is that, once these players are back fit, and Derby have a fully fit squad - they should be comfortably safe this season. Maybe. It is Derby, remember.

Pride Park Must Be A Fortress

Let’s talk about Derby’s home form. Pride Park has the potential to be one of the most intimidating grounds in the Championship. The trouble is, too many away teams have been made to feel comfortable. Pride Park should be the type of place where managers look at the fixture and think: “We’ll take a point there”. But it’s been too easy.

For that to happen, Derby need to start fast. It’s been boring, dull, no intensity. It’s down to the players to give the fans something to get behind. Once Pride Park is buzzing, it gives the players a lift. Right now it’s too quiet, too polite & welcoming. Hence the poor start at home.

The Bottom Line

Derby’s start has been frustrating for fans, but not awful. The pieces are there: a top, top manager in John Eustace, experience, potential in Johnston & Clark, good options up front. The trick, and the difficult part for the management team now is pulling it all together.

If Derby can start creating more chances and getting more players in the box, their season could still be a positive one. After all, it’s the Championship: momentum can literally switch overnight.