Derby County

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Championship match between Derby County and West Bromwich Albion.

Albion won at Derby for just the second time in 107 years, despite playing over an hour with 10 men, to go top of the table.

The Rams remain winless at home in all competitions and have now lost four of their six league games.

Here are some of your comments:

Derby County fans

Russell: Absolute rubbish, John. Useless needs to go now!

Tim: Utter rubbish. Well played West Brom. Made us look like the clueless idiots we are. Zero creativity and attacking intent and idea.

Adam: Lots of swinging high balls into the Albion box but very predictable. Derby need more variety.

Steve: Same as last year and after 10 games we had only won one, so we need to get back some of the injured players.

Paul: I don't think Eustace has the tactical ability to deal with going a goal behind. He has only won three games when the opposition have scored first in his whole managerial career [editor's note: is actually four - twice with Blackburn and twice at Derby]. Time to stop making excuses and prove you are up to the job.

Graham: Too slow in getting ball to forwards, who no longer seem to make the runs, because they know the ball will not arrive. Defence too casual, again.

Image source, Getty Images

West Bromwich Albion fans

Geoff: Solid. Worked hard. Spirit. So proud of you lads.

Richie: 10 men after the sending off. Dug in deep. Something bubbling here.

Tom: Magnificent displays all over the pitch. Sending off was a bit harsh as I felt a telling off would have sufficed. Hopefully Morgan pulling up at the end with his hamstring is just a niggle.

Bobby: Early days but looks very promising.

Paul R: Absolutely brilliant. Mozza has turned our club around, what a lad. Brilliant display but there is always one.

Paul D: Should have taken Pereira off after first booking. He was shocking up to that point. Great three points and great defensive effort second half.

Image source, Getty Images

Defender Sondre Langas says Derby County were left "frustrated and disappointed" by their narrow defeat against 10-man West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday.

The Baggies had Brayann Pereira sent off in the 34th minute at Pride Park, but hung on for a 1-0 win that moved them top of the fledgling Championship table.

Derby's fourth league defeat in six games to start the season dropped them into the bottom three.

Norway international Langas said "confidence and belief" remains in the group, but was quick to admit that hard work is needed to address their early-season failings.

"I'm frustrated we conceded that easily when they didn't create that many chances," Langas told BBC Radio Derby.

"They then go down to 10 men and it's really disappointing that we didn't get at least one point out of this game, having played about 60 minutes with one man more.

"We have conceded early in almost every game and that is one thing that kills us a bit and something we have to work on in training."

Derby County manager John Eustace says there is a lot of work for his side to do in the final third after a frustrating night against new Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion.

The Baggies were reduced to 10 men after 34 minutes when Brayann Pereira saw red, but despite having an advantage for so long the Rams could find no answer to Aune Heggebo's opener.

Eustace told BBC Radio Derby: "The way we started the game was excellent and then to go behind in the way we did against the run of play was a kick in the teeth. It's another early goal at home which is something we want to stop.

"The attitude of the boys was very good. In the second half we threw everything at their goal but we couldn't get the quality in the final third to break them down.

"That's where we are at the moment. We had to be patient when they went down to 10 men, we needed forward runners and we had two or three good chances.

"There is a lot of work we need to do."

Image source, Getty Images

When Derby County brought in Henrik Meister this summer, they did so with big expectations and an eye on the future, according to the Rams' talent acquisition lead Leigh Bromby.

Meister was signed on a loan deal that includes an option to buy the forward from Pisa, who are back in Italy's second tier after being relegated from Serie A.

In Meister, a 22-year-old Dane who has scored just four goals in two years, Derby's recruitment team see a player capable of emulating Patrick Agyemang – the United States international who became an instant hit with the Rams after arriving for £5.8m from Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC in the summer of 2025.

Agyemang's 10 goals in 37 appearances for the Rams last season attracted interest from Leeds United and Crystal Palace, external. However, an Achilles tendon injury ended both his campaign and his hopes of featuring at the summer's World Cup.

Even though the 25-year-old is still out, Bromby was asked by BBC Radio Derby about what succession plan is in place for one of the club's most in-demand and influential players.

And it turns out that Meister has been identified as the possible answer.

"We knew there was a lot of interest in January for Patrick, and we're having a lot of conversations," Bromby said.

"Who are the players that have got the attributes to be able to come into this club and do what Patrick did successfully? And he (Meister) was one of those players.

"Data-wise, you're 100% right [to point out his low strike rate], and that has been challenged.

"There's also a scouting part. So, the scouting part of what we do is to look in real detail at a player.

"Henrik's move to Serie A, it was a really successful start, athletically he hits all the attributes we want, and the way of playing and how we set up. Does he have the goal return? Definitely not. Can he score and create chances for himself? 100%, just like Patrick.

"Is Serie A the fourth best league in the world? Yes. For a 22-year-old to impact at that level is really difficult.

"If you watch his individual actions, if you watch his coaching and the actual attributes that we want from that player, he's got them all. Has he scored the goals that can back that up? No. If he had scored the goals that have backed that up, would Derby County be signing him now? No.

"So is there an opportunity. Is he an exciting player that could potentially be a top, top player and play in the Premier League? 100%."

Emily Herbert
BBC Sport Midlands

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County midfielder Kenzo Goudmijn has joined Swiss Super League side Grasshoppers Zurich on loan for the remainder of the 2026-27 season.

The 24-year-old has made 48 appearances for the Rams since joining from AZ Alkmaar in July 2024, scoring twice.

Goudmijn made 44 appearances during his first season at Derby before featuring four times at the start of the following campaign.

He spent the remainder of last season on loan with Eredivisie side Go Ahead Eagles before returning to Derby this summer.

The Dutchman remains under contract with Derby until the summer of 2028.

Image source, Opta

Derby will seek to kick-start their season as they welcome fast-starting West Bromwich Albion to Pride Park on Wednesday (19:45 BST).

The Rams have lost three of their opening five games and are among the early basement-dwellers, while they are yet to win at home in three attempts in league and cup this season.

West Brom are among the pace-setters, a point behind leaders Swansea, after picking up 10 points from their opening five matches, though seven of those came in their three home games

• Derby have only lost one of their past 10 league games against West Bromwich Albion (W6 D3), a 0-2 defeat in July 2020.

• West Brom have won just one of their past 33 away league games against Derby County (D13 L19), a 1-0 victory in August 2003 under Gary Megson.

• Since winning six successive home league games across February and April, Derby are winless in their past three at Pride Park (D1 L2).

• West Brom have won just one of their past 13 away games played in midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) in the Championship (D5 L7), a 1-0 victory at Norwich in October 2025.

• John Eustace has never lost as a manager to West Brom in seven Championship meetings, across spells at Birmingham (W3), Blackburn (D1), and Derby County (W2 D1).

Image source, Shutterstock

Derby County will be without forward Rhian Brewster for at least the next two matches because of concussion.

The 26-year-old was forced off after only 22 minutes of Saturday's 3-0 defeat by West Ham United in the Championship.

Brewster has been involved in all of Derby's opening five games of the league season, starting the past two.

"He's feeling a lot better, he was really groggy on Saturday night, he felt dizzy and sick during the game," Rams boss John Eustace told BBC Radio Derby.

"It's a big blow because I was really excited to give him a run of games - he's a top performer at this level and he needs to get fit and get games under his belt so it's a shame now for him to miss another couple."

Derby are at home to West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, 9 September (19:45 BST).

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County have signed goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic on a one-year deal.

The 23-year-old Australian was a free agent having been released by Ipswich Town in the summer after a short-term stint at Portman Road.

Bilokapic spent much of the past three years with Peterborough United, for whom he made 61 appearances in all competitions after joining them from Huddersfield Town.

Derby say he will "add depth and experience" to the goalkeeping ranks at Pride Park.

Both West Ham United and Derby County picked up their first wins of the season in the midweek and will be looking to back it up with another when they meet at the London Stadium on Saturday (15:00 BST).

West Ham took victory over fellow relegated side Wolves on Tuesday, while Derby overcame Portsmouth to see both rise into the midtable.

• This will be the first league meeting between West Ham and Derby County since the Rams won 2-1 in the Championship in December 2011.

• West Ham have only lost one of their last 16 home league games against Derby County (W7 D8), a 1-2 defeat in January 2005 under Alan Pardew.

• West Ham have won four of their last six home league matches (L2), more than their previous 20 beforehand (W3 D7 L10).

• Since the start of 2024-25, Derby are winless in all 12 of their Championship games against sides relegated from the Premier League the previous season (D4 L8), losing their last four in a row.

• West Ham's Divine Mukasa has been directly involved in seven goals in 12 Championship starts (4 goals, 3 assists), four more than any other teenager in 2026.

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County defender Craig Forsyth has been ruled out for months with a knee injury that will require surgery.

The 37-year-old was hurt in Tuesday's victory at Portsmouth and is set to meet with a specialist on Friday to determine what procedure he will require.

Rams boss John Eustace confirmed Forsyth will be "out for at least a couple of months", while also revealing that captain Lewis Travis faces up to five weeks out after undergoing scans on a knock received in the 3-0 defeat by Swansea City.

"Trav is going to be missing for four of five weeks, so it's not as bad as we first feared which is great news for us as it's another experienced player that can come back and help the team over the course of the season," Eustace told BBC Radio Derby.

Amelia Warren
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Derby County's lack of desire, passion, energy and effort in last Saturday's defeat by Swansea City left many fans feeling extremely disappointed and frustrated.

While most supporters can have patience at the start of a new campaign, you will struggle to find any who can excuse a lack of effort and commitment, no matter how early it is in the season.

Making the near eight-hour round trip to Portsmouth on Tuesday evening felt almost bonkers after Saturday's showing.

However, with a slightly more inspiring team selection, particularly in attack, and a sense that Pompey were going through struggles of their own, it felt as though Derby had the best possible opportunity to bounce back from the weekend's woes.

And boy, they did just that.

From the first minute the Rams were in the faces of the Portsmouth players, pressing the ball high up the pitch and putting their bodies on the line defensively. It immediately felt as though Derby had turned up with a point to prove.

Leading 1-0 after only 16 minutes really highlighted how determined they were and despite not dominating the play consistently they simply showed they wanted the victory more than Portsmouth.

In the 62nd minute, Derby got what they deserved by extending their lead to put the contest to bed.

Lars-Jorgen Salvesen had only entered the field three minutes earlier and, after a slick passing move, the ball landed at the Norwegian's feet on the edge of the penalty area - touch, strike, bedlam.

Salvesen had been offered the opportunity to leave the club on loan before Tuesday's game but remarkably rejected the offer, making it clear he wanted to stay and fight for his place.

His goal was the result of an individual showing character, determination, courage and passion for the club. All the things supporters had cried out for after the weekend.

As Salvesen wheeled away in celebration and the away fans managed to catch their breath again, I started to feel an enormous sense of pride in the team for the first time this season.

It is not easy to bounce back from a poor performance and heavy defeat, and even harder when the fans make their frustrations known.

However, this Derby team have once again proved they have totally bought into John Eustace's 'fighters not victims' philosophy.

Throughout the season the Rams will have to suffer and no doubt will face one of their toughest tests of the season on Saturday when they visit West Ham United.

But, should Derby be able to play with the same character and heart they showcased on Tuesday, winning is possible.

I travelled down to Portsmouth sceptical, unexpectant and concerned. I will head to east London with optimism, hope and belief.

It really is amazing what a difference one performance and one remarkable Norwegian can make.

Image source, Shutterstock

Former Derby County midfielder Darren Robinson has praised the Rams' reaction to a winless start to the season by claiming their first victory against Portsmouth thanks to a winning goal from striker Lars-Jorgen Salvesen.

"It was a quality finish in the way he came on to the ball and it was a confident finish," Robinson said.

"There were lots of shots from distance, particularly from Portsmouth, but they lacked that cutting edge - but you watch that finish by Salvesen. He comes on to it and he absolutely thumps it - it was still rising as it hit the back of the net.

"It was an important time to score because the crowd were building a bit of energy. Portsmouth had given that reaction after half-time and that really burst the bubble."

Listen to the full reaction plus interviews with John Eustace and Lars-Jorgen Salvesen below or on BBC Sounds here.

John Eustace spoke to BBC Radio Derby after the Rams' victory at Portsmouth.

For a written section of his quotes, click here.

We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Championship match between Portsmouth and Derby County.

Here are some of your comments:

Portsmouth fans

Peter: Shocking. Slow and negative in possession. Derby pressed and forced Pompey to play the ball sideways and backwards. Midfield virtually non-existent. The only way this side is going is into a relegation battle unless things change dramatically.

Mark: Mostly neat and tidy movement of the ball, but the lack of end product very concerning. Another long season looms, especially with Josh Murphy missing for eight weeks, Pompey are devoid of attacking quality without him.

Andrew: Very disjointed performance v Derby. New signings do not seem to be up to Championship level yet . Early days but there is cause for concern already.

Image source, Shutterstock

Derby County fans

David: Well done Derby after the dire performance on Saturday. It's still not amazing football but this was something to build on. Happy for Salveson too.

George: Much improved, more togetherness. It looked a more settled side with confidence slowly injected into the team. Feels like bringing new players in to help has given the whole team a lift. Full squad of players will no doubt be utilised this season!

Martin: Was it a really good performance or were Portsmouth just very poor?

BBC Radio Derby presenter Dominic Dietrich is joined by former Derby County players Malcolm Christie and Martyn Waghorn to discuss the Rams' and Burton Albion's transfer business.

The show, which runs from 22:00-00:00 BST, will offer the latest updates and analysis.

Listen to it here

Subscribe to the latest Derby County shows on BBC Sounds

Subscribe to the latest Burton Albion shows on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

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