The fight for Championship survival has started to heat up in March, with a three-game week completely changing the picture of who may stay in the second tier and who looks to be on a one-way track to League One.
Derby County looked as though they were heading for an immediate return to the third tier after winning promotion back in April 2024, but three wins from three has seen hope renewed for John Eustace’s side.
The Rams saw themselves past play-off hopefuls Blackburn Rovers and Coventry City at Pride Park Stadium before making the long journey to Home Park where they overcame bottom of the table Plymouth Argyle, with Marcus Harness scoring his third goal in two matches to secure a late but great 3-2 victory in Devon.
Also on the scoresheet at the weekend was Everton loanee Harrison Armstrong, with his performances during this excellent run making him a standout, and comparisons will be drawn to Leon Osman and the role he played for Derby 21 years ago in another relegation battle.
Derby County must seek to bring Harrison Armstrong back on loan next season from Everton
While Osman returned to the Toffees and never put the Ram on his chest again, Eustace must look to rewrite history with his own loanee from the blue side of Liverpool and bring Armstrong back to DE24 next season.
Not much was known about the 18-year-old when he arrived at the club on deadline day in February, but after a quiet start, he has finally made his mark on the team and is one of the first names in the starting XI now.
Operating next to Ebou Adams and Liam Thompson, Derby finally have the balance in midfield that they have been lacking so greatly throughout the course of 2024/25, and his ability to break up play and start attacks quickly makes him a formidable opponent for many in the Championship.
