John Eustace urged to sanction Derby County change for Oxford United - Only on one condition though | OneFootball

FLW's Derby Fan Pundit Shaun gives his thoughts ahead of the Rams' upcoming clash with Oxford United.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk series', which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

After a summer transfer window that promised plenty, Derby County have started the 2025/26 Championship campaign poorly on the pitch.

After John Eustace helped to secure safety towards the back end of last season, he was backed heavily as the Rams looked to surge up the Championship standings.

Experience was added with the likes of Andi Weimann, Danny Batth and Lewis Travis joining the club from his former club Blackburn Rovers, whilst exciting USA international striker Patrick Agyemang made a big-money switch from MLS outfit Charlotte FC for an initial £5.8 million.

The season's early days have not gone as planned though, with Derby sitting in 20th place after nine Championship outings, and they need to put in a positive string of results - starting with a visit to Oxford United this weekend.

"I would definitely start him" - Rhian Brewster claim issued ahead of Oxford United clash

Derby have drawn three of their last four matches and lost the other one, and ahead of the trip to the Kassam Stadium, Football League World's Derby fan pundit Shaun Woodward, has had his say on who he would like to see come into the side as the Championship gets back underway following the international break.

"Depending on the fitness of Rhian Brewster, I would definitely start him, if he can," Shaun said, when asked about possible changes ahead of this weekend's clash against Oxford United.

After leaving Sheffield United as a free agent over the summer, Brewster joined Derby on a two-year deal. Though, as was the case throughout his time at Bramall Lane, injuries have stalled his early progress at Pride Park.

The ex-Liverpool forward has made three league appearances for the Rams since his arrival, with his one goal coming in his first start for the club in a 2-2 draw against Ipswich.

After missing the next four matches due to a groin strain, Brewster returned against Southampton before the international period, playing 22 minutes off the bench.

"I would definitely start him over Weimann, or Bobby Clark," Shaun added.

"I just think that he offers us something that nobody else in the team can offer us, so he would be a starter for me."

Both at different ends of the footballing age spectrum, Weimann and Clark have operated in a plethora of positions under Eustace thus far, with the former being a trusted figure under him at Blackburn. He has netted just once and provided one assist in a Derby shirt thus far, though.

A switch-up in defence has also been mooted, but the main addition to the starting 11 should be Brewster, according to FLW's fan pundit.

"Potentially, you could tweak the backline and rotate Elder and Fozzy." Shaun said.

"They've done that quite a bit this season, so I would not be surprised if Elder came in at left-back for Craig Forsyth. I don't think Langas is fit enough to start yet, so I'd be happy to see him on the bench and get a few minutes and build his fitness up.

"But, for me, Brewster would be the one to bring in."

Rhian Brewster provides a solid impact when fit - he could be Derby County dangerman

The case of Brewster is one of a player who has just never quite got going throughout his career.

During a loan spell with Swansea City in the second half of the 2019/20 campaign, he found the back of the net 11 times in 22 appearances for the club, suggesting that he was beginning to live up to the early promise of his Liverpool and England youth days.

However, following a club record £23.5 million move to Sheffield United in 2020, he was never quite able to break into the starting 11 consistently, making just 108 appearances in five years for the Blades before the expiration of his deal earlier this year, with just nine goals scored during this period.

In Derby's last match against Southampton, the aforementioned Weimann and Clark operated from the flanks, with Agyemang and Carlton Morris forming a front two - Brewster is versatile and capable of playing all across the front-line, which is a big help for Eustace.

Most importantly, he is direct. And if Eustace can raise his levels to anything near those of his Swansea spell, there is a fantastic player on the books at Pride Park. Brewster is still just 25, and could make a real difference in the final third if kept fit.

The Rams lack out-and-out wingers, but with Eustace also able to call upon Ben Brereton Diaz, there are plenty of direct forwards capable of shifting the Rams into the box quickly.

Derby will fancy themselves against fellow strugglers Oxford this weekend, before they welcome Norwich to Pride Park, who themselves have not had the best start to life under Liam Manning.