Head Coach John Eustace has challenged his Derby County squad to ‘keep battling’ and maintain their ‘attitude and passion’ following Saturday’s 1-0 Sky Bet Championship defeat to Millwall at Pride Park Stadium.
The Rams lost late to the Lions, thanks to a Josh Coburn goal deep into extra time after the striker’s penalty was denied by Derby goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström around ten minutes earlier.
Eustace spoke with RamsTV about his first home game in charge of the team, following his appointment earlier this month.
On the defeat against Millwall…
We’re very disappointed to lose the game. I don’t think we deserve to lose. We certainly didn’t do enough to win it either. We had a couple of half chances and hit the bar, while Jacob pulled a good save off from the penalty. It’s really important that we just keep positive. The lads have had a really good week on the training field and today was always going to be a really difficult game against Millwall. They’re a good, solid Championship team. It’s important that we just come back Monday positive and get ready for a big, big game against Middlesbrough next Saturday.
On the commitment from the group…
They’re very down, of course, with how they’ve lost a game of football. It’s important we get them back up. Their attitude and desire was there for everyone to see again today. They never gave up. Losing Matt Clarke and David Ozoh at key moments was disappointing, but the lads that came on they tried everything to make sure that we could go and win the game. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be today.
On time on the training pitch being crucial…
There were little bits out there [that we saw from training]. It’s important that we just keep building, and we have another good week on the training field this week. I think our decision-making in that final third today was key. We got in some really good areas, especially in the second half on the transitions – but that lack of quality decision-making in that final third wasn’t right. There’s lots to work on still and we’ll keep working and there’s no way anyone’s giving up. We’ll keep fighting and we’ll have a really good week’s training again next week.
