Derby County have always been a team built on grit and organisation, but the 2025–26 season under John Eustace has revealed a frustrating trend: when the Rams fall behind, they rarely come back.
Every early concession seems to set the tone for the match, and Derby’s inability to overturn deficits has become a recurring theme.
It’s a puzzle that blends tactical rigidity, squad limitations, and psychological hurdles and one that has left supporters shaking their heads.
Since taking charge, Eustace has instilled discipline and structure.
Derby are rarely caught out of position, and their compact midfield often frustrates opponents. Yet this stability comes at a cost.
Against Leicester City, Derby fell behind early and were never able to fully wrestle control back.
The Foxes struck again before half-time, and although Derby pulled one back, they couldn’t force a late equaliser, ultimately losing 2–1.
A similar story unfolded at Middlesbrough. Derby took the lead through Patrick Agyemang inside the opening minutes, giving fans hope.
But two late goals from the home side turned the match on its head, and Derby’s early advantage evaporated.
Even when the team begins positively, conceding especially at key moments seems to sap momentum and confidence.
Eustace’s Derby are structured to avoid disaster. The team rarely gives opponents easy chances and often maintains control through disciplined positioning.
But when the Rams go behind, this careful approach becomes a double-edged sword.
Derby rarely adjust their formation or push aggressively enough to stretch compact defenses. Instead, the side continues with a measured, methodical buildup that can stall against a deep-blocked opponent.
Midfielders like Liam Thompson and Bobby Clark do a lot of the heavy lifting, linking defense to attack, but when the team needs a decisive spark, there’s often little to ignite it.
Substitutions are generally conservative, aimed at maintaining balance rather than changing the game.
Against Leicester and Middlesbrough, this tactical rigidity became painfully clear: the structure protected the team from collapse but offered few pathways back into the match.
Even with tactical adjustments, Derby’s limitations in attacking quality hinder comebacks.
The absence of Carlton Morris since November has left a noticeable void up front. Furthermore, whilst other forwards have contributed, none consistently create moments that can turn the tide.
The 3–2 home loss to Watford encapsulates this perfectly. Derby led 2–0 and looked in control, but Watford’s late surge exposed the Rams’ lack of cutting edge.
Similarly, at Middlesbrough, an early lead slipped away late, highlighting that Derby don’t yet have the kind of game-changing individuals capable of rewriting the script in high-pressure moments.
There’s also a psychological element at play. Coming from behind requires confidence, belief, and resilience.
Derby often retreat into a defensive mindset after conceding, prioritising security over risk-taking.
This allows the opposition to dictate play and gradually chip away at Derby’s control.
Matches like the Watford and Middlesbrough defeats demonstrate how quickly momentum can shift once the Rams fall behind, exacerbating tactical and personnel issues.
Derby County’s struggles to win from behind under John Eustace are rooted in both tactical caution and squad limitations.
The team is organised, disciplined, and difficult to break down, but it lacks the creativity, risk-taking, and individual brilliance required to overturn deficits.
For the Rams to change this narrative, they will need greater tactical flexibility, introducing attacking urgency when trailing.
Creative reinforcements who can unlock defences and finish decisively will also be vital.
Equally important is cultivating belief in the squad that comebacks are achievable.
Until then, Derby will remain a team that can dominate large portions of matches but struggle to turn adversity into triumph, a reminder that resilience in football is as much about adaptability and imagination as it is about discipline.
