“No not at all”- Derby boss Eustace on comeback against Blackburn Rovers

John Eustace admitted that emotions ran high for some of his Derby County FC players during the first half of their clash with Blackburn Rovers FC, but he was encouraged by the way they responded after the interval.

The Rams fell behind just before half-time when a free-kick conceded by Lewis Travis led to Hayden Carter heading home the opener.

Eustace described the foul as unnecessary, revealing that Travis accepted responsibility and acknowledged his mistake. The manager stressed it was a learning moment for the midfielder.

Eustace felt the intensity of the occasion — particularly with several players facing their former club — affected Derby’s first-half display both in and out of possession. Alongside Travis, Ben Brereton Diaz, Sammie Szmodics and Dion Sanderson were all up against familiar opposition.

However, the Derby boss praised the team’s improvement after the restart, highlighting Travis’ second-half performance in particular. He felt the group adapted well and showed their quality as they turned the game around to secure a vital win in their push for the play-offs.
Eustace acknowledged the significance of the fixture in the race to close the gap on the top six, reiterating that the occasion may have slightly impacted certain players early on. But he was delighted with the composure and character shown in the second half.

Despite the competitive edge, Eustace also spoke warmly about Blackburn, describing them as a fantastic club with strong leadership, staff and supporters. He expressed hope that they continue their recent positive run and steer clear of relegation trouble.

When asked whether defeating his former club brought any extra satisfaction, Eustace dismissed the idea, insisting it was simply another important victory for his side.