Middlesbrough promotion claim issued by Derby County manager John Eustace as "money" factor outlined | OneFootball

Derby County's manager believes that Middlesbrough have no reason not to fight for promotion

Derby County manager John Eustace believes Middlesbrough have no excuses not to be fighting for promotion following their summer transfer business.

The Rams travelled to face Boro this past weekend and were bested 2-1, in what proved to be a tight affair at the Riverside Stadium.

Derby took the lead inside two minutes when Patrick Agyemang struck home to rattle the hosts, which gave Eustace’s men a crucial lead to try and keep hold of.

They achieved this task for 75 minutes, but were eventually broken down, with Matt Targett levelling from a set-piece before Morgan Whittaker struck home the winner against his former club six minutes from time to hand new manager Kim Hellberg his first win as Boro boss.

Whilst County left Teesside empty-handed, their performance was strong against a team that has been fighting towards the top of the table consistently this season.

Eustace decided to focus on this point after the match, stating that he believes Middlesbrough have no other choice but to be battling it out for promotion.

John Eustace makes Middlesbrough claim following Derby County defeat

Derby’s manager was proud of his team after the loss and believes that Boro’s quality was what made the difference at the end of the day.

Middlesbrough’s victory moved them back into the automatic promotion places and Eustace was subsequently queried on whether he believes the North East outfit have what it takes to go all the way this term.

The Rams’ boss didn’t hold back in his reply, instead throwing further expectation on Kim Hellberg’s team.

“I think you only have to look at their squad,” replied Eustace to the Northern Echo. “I don’t really need to say anything else.

"They’ve got a top squad and have spent a lot of money. They should be in the top six.”

A win would’ve taken Derby within one point of Boro, who spent much of the season’s early stages as league leaders, before Coventry City fully hit their stride and overtook them.

The Rams now sit 10th in the Championship, three points shy of the play-offs, but they will have to do the next couple of months without talisman Carlton Morris, who has suffered an ankle injury.

John Eustace’s Middlesbrough claim may have some weight

Although challenging for promotion in the Championship is easier said than done, Eustace’s point of view may be one shared by quite a few managers in the division.

Boro have invested heavily in their squad over the past few years, with the likes of Adilson Malanda, Morgan Whittaker, Tommy Conway, Alfie Jones and Callum Brittain all requiring significant transfer fees.

With other quality operators such as Alan Browne and Hayden Hackney also included within the squad, Eustace’s opinion becomes one with a lot more weight behind it.

Coventry City have been the Championship’s most impressive team by a country mile this season and look almost certain to finish in the automatic promotion places, but Middlesbrough should be another team competing at the top until May.

Their squad is filled to the brim with talent and as Eustace stated, there is no reason why they shouldn’t be in the mix for a Premier League return.