Derby County are hoping to “put a wrong right” against Bristol City, according to John Eustace, as the Rams look to break their Championship winless streak against the Robins this weekend.
Gerhard Struber’s Reds will go to Pride Park to face Eustace’s side on Friday evening, hoping to maintain their unblemished start to the season. City began the new season on the front foot, defeating Sheffield United and MK Dons, and most recently drawing with Charlton Athletic at Ashton Gate.
Derby’s lone positive result this season has come in the Carabao Cup, when they advanced to the second round with a penalty shootout victory over West Brom. The Rams began the league season with an away loss to Stoke City before losing 5-3 at home to Coventry City last time out.
Although Eustace is aware that the Robins will not roll over for his team on Friday evening, the visit of Struber’s side is one he is looking forward to, as he and his men attempt to recover from their stunning setback to Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues the previous time out.
“They’re still a very good team,” Eustace said when asked if there had been any changes under Struber. “We’ve played two teams that both finished in the play-offs, and in our first game against Stoke, they’ve also invested well, so we’ve been in both games and competitive in both.
“The Bristol game will not be any different. They’re really well-coached, they’ve developed a distinct style of play, and they have a core of players who have been there for a long time, which helps.
“We know it will be a big challenge, but we can’t wait for it. We want to put a wrong right starting Saturday, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
The Rams now employ a number of former City players. Andi Weimann, a former Reds captain, returned to Pride Park this summer after his contract with Blackburn Rovers expired, seven years after leaving the club to join the Robins, while Richard O’Donnell is Eustace’s third-choice keeper. The 36-year-old spent a year at Ashton Gate nearly ten years ago.
In addition to the aforementioned players, the Rams still have Kane Wilson on their roster. City signed the right-sided defender from Forest Green Rovers in the summer of 2022, but after just one injury-plagued season, he left BS3, moving to League One with Derby.
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