Derby County boss John Eustace praised his players after a narrow 2-1 defeat to promotion-chasing Ipswich Town at Pride Park, insisting the performance showed clear signs of progression from his “evolving” Rams side.
Despite the result, Eustace highlighted the determination, competitiveness, and tactical growth his squad displayed against one of the Championship’s strongest teams.
“I thought it was a great game, two good teams going toe to toe. It was really exciting to watch and I was very proud of the efforts of the group,” Eustace said.
Derby responded well after going behind early in the first half, showing composure and discipline in both defensive and attacking phases.
The Rams earned a deserved equaliser through a well-taken penalty, reflecting their resilience and ability to respond under pressure.
“To come up against probably the best team in the league with the best squad of players and go toe to toe with them was really pleasing,” Eustace added, underlining the competitiveness of his side.
The manager was particularly pleased with how Derby maintained their structure while also creating chances, despite Ipswich’s attacking threat.
Eustace acknowledged that the decisive moments came after Ipswich made substitutions, bringing fresh energy and quality from the bench.
“We got a deserved equaliser, and I felt we could maybe go on and win the game.”
“They made a lot of positive changes, then you look at their bench, obviously that’s why they are a top team, and it certainly made a difference, but the way we kept going was really pleasing,” he said.
The Derby boss also emphasised the improvement in his team’s overall play.
“I think you can see how we are growing and evolving as a team. Our football, at times, was really good,” he added, highlighting that the squad’s progress is visible even when results don’t go their way.
Eustace was encouraged by the structure and approach his side showed throughout the contest.
“We got into some fantastic areas, our build-up play at times was good, our defensive shape was good, we got into some good transitional areas,” he explained.
The manager noted that, while Derby performed well, fine margins prevented them from taking points from the game.
“We couldn’t make the right decision or the final pass was just a bit loose, but you can see the progression we’re making,” he said.
Eustace stressed that performances like this give the squad confidence, demonstrating that they can compete with the top sides in the Championship.
The game also provided valuable lessons on decision-making, finishing, and tactical awareness.
While proud of the performance, Eustace was clear on areas where Derby need to improve.
“I would have loved to have started a bit quicker. It’s disappointing we couldn’t get a second. We need to be better in the final third. But we are still learning,” he said.
The manager emphasised that the squad is still developing and that results will follow as the players continue to implement what they learn on the training ground.
Despite the narrow defeat, Eustace believes Derby’s trajectory is positive, and that performances like this one will lay the foundation for stronger results in the coming weeks.
With a week to prepare for their next Championship fixture, Eustace’s message to his players is clear: continue building on the progress, stay competitive, and keep pushing against the league’s elite.
