Useless? Really?

Many Rams fans were quick to start moaning at the start of the season when we signed John Eustace. The cruel moans calling him John Useless were typed out from many keyboard warriors desks! 

I think that it's fair to say that the majority of them were basing their judgement of him on a couple of games a few seasons ago as a season of struggle was winding down.

I must admit that I wasn't exactly over excited by the fact that we were after him prior to last season kicking off. I even tweeted words to that effect.

It was a reply to that tweet by a Coventry City fan that made me do more research on Mr Eustace. The said fan pointed out to me what a good team player he was and that we would get nothing short of 100% from him.

When we took him on trial and then subsequently gave him a seasons contract, many Watford fans took to twitter to praise the efforts of him and they genuinely seemed sorry to see him leave Vicarage Road. I, myself sort out the views of people who knew more about the player than me.

I was told that he was a very Good pro, who would enhance most Championship teams.

Since he has been starting for Derby it has become evident for those who attend games that he does sit well in front of the defence. His inclusion has allowed Will Hughes and Craig Bryson to play more attacking roles. Bryson especially has shown his value in a more attacking role. His goal scoring and assists statistics for the season so far confirms my belief that he is a very valuable player to our team.

John Eustace has shown himself to be a far more competent player to the club than many anticipated he would be. Many saw him as a bench warmer. If recent performances are anything to go by he may become one of our most important players.

Eustace useless? Anyone who still thinks that, that is the case is clearly clueless!

International Break

Normally I hate international breaks. I hate the two weeks of no club action in which we fans regularly feed our need for Football watching our national sides attempt to limp over the finishing line on the way to the next major tournamount.

This time I am actually pleased we have one. Not because I'm any more excited about England reaching the World Cup (Surely they will!), but because it will give new boss Steve McClaren time to assess the players at Derby and decide which areas need strengthening.

It's not rocket science working out that our defence needs looking at. It was at centre half, however Zak Whitbreads loan signing may help sure things up in the middle. It's the full back positions that do need some serious improvement. In the last three games against Forest, Ipswich and to a lesser extent Leeds they have been found wanting.

The left back spot has been a problem position for me dating back to when Chris Powell was allowed to leave the club. Craig Forsyth has shown improvement in the last couple of games, but I don't think that he is the long term solution. He's not a natural in that position and it shows!

The right back spot is another. The sale of John Brayford has left a bigger hole than I had expected. Keiron Freeman has the potential to do a job there, but after being blamed for the defeat against Burnley he has been banished to the bench. In my opinion one bad game does not make a bad player and he is certainly a lot better defensively than Adam Smith.

Adam Smith himself has promise when we go forward, but the first role of a defender is surely to defend. Freeman gets my vote every time!

The last tow and a half games has seen what exactly an experienced player like John Eustace can bring to the table. His qualities as a deep sitting midfielder are obvious. Our fans cruelly dubbing him 'Useless' based on two loan games in a period we were struggling were I'll thought out and unfair. If you want to know how valuable he can be speak to Watford and Coventry fans. 

I'm sure barring injury, Eustace will feature in nearly every game. He did struggle with injury last season and I would be looking at a decent player to back him up. We don't have to go mad as a loanee could be effective in providing the cover. He also has a habit of picking up yellow cards so I'm certain we will need someone else there at sometime during the season.

As I've said previously if our strikers get the service they will be effective. The formation used on Saturday allows Bryson and Hughes forward more to assist our striker more. If Martin and Russell get the ball more in front of goal they will score. Both were impressive on Saturday as were Hughes and Bryson. Fifteen goals is a realistic possibility for the front men and I could see Bryson maybe edging towards ten and half a dozen or more from Hughes.

Should all of this happen we are knocking on the doors of a top six place, however lets step back and take stock. We face an awkward looking trip to Watford next. A very difficult fixture! Let's hope that Steve McClaren has an effective game plan to come back with something.

It was brilliant to see the lads demolish Leeds 3-1 on Saturday and beating them for the tenth successive meeting too! Let's keep the momentum going.

There are four categories in my book of teams wishing for play off football and they are-

A) Will make it

B) Should make it

C) could make it 

And 

D) Won't make it

At the moment I'd give us a C let's move up to a B - YOU RAMS!