Derby County and John Eustace’s loss is proving to be huge West Brom gain | OneFootball

Nat Phillips played 32 times for the Rams last season and helped the club stay in the Championship

John Eustace's decision to reunite with former centre-backs at Derby County appears to be backfiring at the start of the season, while Nat Phillips is proving his worth at West Bromwich Albion.

Derby County's poor start to the 25/26 season has laid bare some questions about Eustace's 'own' transfers, with the Rams having leaked eight goals in just two league games.

Danny Batth and Dion Sanderson have both been heavily criticised by Rams fans after the opening fixtures, with the latter spending 85 minutes on the pitch when seven goals have gone in.

Each of whom have obviously played under Eustace before... Yes, if everyone was fit they might not start - but at the moment they've been preferred names on the teamsheet regardless of how much depth the Rams have.

The glaring absence in Derby's defence - along with the injured Sondre Langas - is Nat Phillips, who played 32 league matches last season and helped the club avoid relegation.

West Brom's perfect start with Nat Phillips

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In pretty stark contrast to the East Midlands outfit's defensive shambles, West Brom have two wins from two league games, and 28-year-old Nat Phillips won 11 duels and made 13 clearances on his Albion debut against Blackburn Rovers.

Phillips' reported £3m move from Liverpool is already looking like shrewd business from West Brom sporting director Andrew Nestor, who praised the defender's "leadership qualities" to Albion's official website when the signing was announced.

Eustace questioned over defensive signings

It's obvious that not every single signing has to follow a certain structure for Derby, but bringing in both Batth and Sanderson appears to contradict their use of a Sporting Intelligence department.

Headed by Mo Bobat and Ed Smith, one area that was supposed to be impacted by the use of data and AI was recruitment - and it's perhaps hard to think those two players would've been recommended through that way.

Both Bobat and Smith are leaving Derby in October to join London Spirit (cricket franchise), but the Rams will reportedly hire a full-time Head of Sports intelligence because of this.

Eustace has reunited with Sanderson for the fourth time in his career, having previously worked with the defender at QPR, Birmingham City and Blackburn - which suggests whether a data-heavy approach to signings has been properly implemented or not.

Derby might now be wishing they signed Nat Phillips instead

Had Derby paid the amount to secure Phillips on a permanent deal after his loan, it's fair to say they wouldn't have conceded that many, even with little options at full-back.

Another former Eustace player now at Derby is the injured left-back Owen Beck. This has meant 36-year-old Craig Forsyth and Callum Elder have each started a league game this season on the left side of defence for the Rams.

Early evidence does suggest that whilst Phillips continues to settle in at The Hawthorns, goals might continue to flow in against Derby.

It remains uncertain whether Derby were ever interested in bringing him back to Pride Park, but it's pretty obvious from the opening games that Eustace has not replaced him well enough - and is probably hoping Langas is back soon.