Derby County manager John Eustace has expressed frustration over his team’s recent lack of concentration, which he believes has cost them valuable points in their pursuit of promotion this season.
The Rams, once considered one of the front-runners for a spot in the Championship, have shown signs of inconsistency, particularly in their inability to maintain focus during crucial moments in matches.
Eustace, known for his meticulous attention to detail and his strong leadership, didn’t mince words when addressing the issue in his post-match comments. He highlighted that while the team has shown glimpses of quality and technical ability, they have often fallen short when it comes to sustaining that level of performance throughout the full 90 minutes.
“It’s frustrating because the players know what is required,” Eustace stated. “We’ve spoken about it at length. The concentration has to be there from the first minute to the last. We can’t afford to switch off for even a second, and that’s what we’ve seen too often. Whether it’s defensive lapses, poor decision-making, or losing focus in key moments, it’s costing us.”
The manager’s concern comes after a series of games where Derby have thrown away leads or conceded goals at crucial moments. In several instances, they had been in control of the match but allowed the opposition to find a way back, often through a lapse in concentration. Eustace emphasized that this inability to see out games was unacceptable for a team with aspirations of returning to the second tier of English football.
“We are a team that should be looking to be at the top of the table, but to get there, we need to be more mentally resilient,” Eustace continued. “It’s not about talent – we have plenty of that. It’s about keeping the right mindset and not getting distracted by the situation or the scoreline. We’ve been letting ourselves down in moments where we should be strong.”
He also pointed to the importance of individual responsibility, urging each player to take accountability for their actions on the pitch. “We can’t afford to be passive; we all need to take ownership of our roles,” Eustace added. “It’s about growing up as a team, being professional, and having that killer mentality when it matters.”
As Derby County prepare for their next fixture, Eustace will be hoping his squad can take on board these hard lessons and improve their concentration levels. With a competitive race for promotion in full swing, every point dropped could be the difference between success and failure come the end of the season.
