Nyambe injury, drop zone warning and every word from Derby County boss John Eustace

Derby County boss John Eustace faced the press after he watched his side knit together four straight wins in the Championship and haul themselves out of the relegation zone in the process, with seven matches left to play.

Derby have spent practically the entirety of 2025 in the bottom three, a run of form which prompted a change in management, and Eustace has - after a difficult start - discovered a formula which is working.

He spoke to DerbyshireLive post match about the run of form, a warning that things can change very quickly, the defensive solidity at the club and the adoration of the fanbase. Here is every word from his press conference.

What did you say at half time to prompt that reaction?

We just kept to the game-plan. The first 20 minutes, you have to remember we haven't played for two and a half weeks. We looked a little nervous, and Preston had a lot of possession, but they didn't hurt us at all.

We grew into the game, but in the first half when we won the ball back we had to be better in the final third. We kept giving the ball back to them. I was confident going in at half time that, if we kept to the game-plan, the second half would open up like it did.

They had a huge game on Sunday. Preston are a really solid, good Championship team and it was going to be really tight, but that second half I thought we'd create opportunities from especially set-pieces.

It was important then that, when we won the ball back, it was important in the transition and turnover, we kept the ball better. That's all I said at half time. We did, and we got high up the pitch, we got throw-ins, corners and the work the group and staff are putting in at the moment is there for everyone to see.

Did you anticipate a little rustiness?

As I say, we haven't played in two and a half weeks. The lads' attitude for that time has been sensational. They've worked their socks off. They were a game behind Preston going into tonight and they looked a little sharper without hurting us.

We wouldn't have had issues if we'd looked after the ball better in the first half. Second half we were better with the ball and I thought we deserved the win.

Felt like first goal would be crucial...

That's Championship football. We were up against a really solid team full of Championship experience and an excellent manager. We knew it'd be very tight, but the longer it was 0-0 the more confident and comfortable I felt. We're doing okay at the moment.

Craig Forsyth was a huge presence, even aside from his goal...

The back three, since I came in, have been outstanding. They've got good protection in front of them, from young Harrison who is 18 - that's his fifth start ever. Thommo was outstanding again. It's a group effort. I thought Yatesy's work-rate was sensational.

Marcus Harness came off disappointed with his performance, but with the ball I thought he was outstanding again. It's about the team and about hard work and desire.

Eight clean sheets at home this season - that's form you'd surely like to continue?

We'll take each game as it comes. We have a really tough game at Swansea now. I went to the Leeds game and they were very good. We know it'll be a really difficult game.

How is Ryan Nyambe doing?

It's a shame for Ryan. He's had a bad time with injuries since we've come in. He's trained really well for the last couple of weeks, looked sharp coming into the game, so losing him after two minutes is a big blow. We'll have to see how he is tomorrow after the scan. It's his hamstring, so hopefully it won't be as bad as we think, but we wait and see.

Psychologically how big is it to be out of the drop zone?

I think if we're out of it at the end of the season, it's all I'm worried about. We can easily go back into it on Saturday. It makes no difference at the moment, we're just working our socks off until the end of the season to make sure we stay out of the bottom three.

The fans have played a big part since you arrived...

It's one of the reasons I came to the football club, because of the magnificent home and away support. There are usually close to 30,000 here at Pride Park and 4-5,000 away fans every week wherever we go.

The fans are playing a huge part in what we're doing at the moment. I wanted to come here and create a family and a togetherness that can really help Derby in the future and I feel like we're doing that slowly.

It's just important the fans buy into what we're trying to do here. We want to create that family feel. It's a fantastic football club and I'm here for the long-term and not just the next two or three months.

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