What John Eustace's Derby County transfer wish really is as David Clowes claim dropped | OneFootball

Derby County narrowly missed out on a play-off place in the Championship this season

Derby County missed out on a play-off place with a disappointing defeat on the final day at home to Sheffield United.

The Rams were in position to clinch sixth place for a period of the first half, with both Hull City and Wrexham failing to lead in their respective games, while Sammie Szmodics had put them ahead against the Blades.

But goals from Tom Cannon and Sydie Peck turned around the afternoon for John Eustace’s side, who slumped back to eighth by the final whistle.

The Tigers’ victory over Norwich City ultimately meant that Derby would’ve missed out on the top six even if they had held onto a victory against Chris Wilder’s side.

While eighth will be good enough for a play-off place next season, the club have suffered the indignity of being the last team to miss out with that position, alongside Wrexham in seventh.

Eustace’s attention will now turn to the summer transfer window, where he will be targeting improvements to the squad to ensure they don’t miss out in 12 months’ time.

John Eustace outlines Derby County transfer wish

Eustace has praised his working relationship with owner David Clowes and CEO Stephen Pearce ahead of the summer transfer window, suggesting that they are on the same page with their approach to the market.

He believes that it’s important that the club continues to take a step forward, and that he is hoping to bring in more quality to the squad to help the current players to grow.

"You have to do it in the right way,” said Eustace, via Derbyshire Live.

"We've got a fantastic owner in David and a great CEO in Stephen Pearce.

"It's been a group effort to get to where we are now, but there's still a hell of a lot of hard work ahead for sure.

"It's really important that we don't go backwards now and we keep stepping forwards.

"That group of players that we've got have been terrific and there's still a lot of growth to come from them too.

"There are more players I want to bring in to help add better quality."

Eustace has also made it clear that he would love to keep loan players like David Ozoh and Bobby Clark, and that quality players will be targeted when the market opens.

When asked if adding depth will also be important, he replied: "Of course it is.

"We have a squad that's been really competitive and very honest, but we want to bring in better players as well to help the group.

"We want to keep the loan players, of course we do, and we want to create something special at the club.

“We've certainly done that up to now.

"You can see the support was unbelievable.

“They're excited. There's a buzz about the city.

“There's a buzz about the football club and just the amount of people who stay behind to show the players that support is something I'm very, very proud of.

"We've got that connection back with the players and the fans, and it's really important we grow together now and over the next two or three seasons to try to create something even more exciting."

Derby climbed from 19th to eighth in the Championship table over the last 12 months, going from finishing one point above the relegation zone to four adrift of the play-offs.

It has been a successful first full campaign under Eustace, despite the disappointment of the final day.

The club invested last summer, bringing in the likes of Patrick Agyemang, Carlton Morris, Lewis Travis, Rhian Brewster and Max Johnston, among others.

Loan deals were also secured for Clark and Ozoh, as well as Ben Brereton Diaz, Dion Sanderson and Owen Beck.

The transfer window will officially open on 15 June, but Derby will already be at work lining up targets as they target a promotion push again next year.

Derby face a busy summer ahead

Derby could have to fend off interest in key players, as well as try and attract talent that can help them push for promotion.

It is likely to be quite busy again at Pride Park this year after they narrowly missed out on a top six finish in the table.

Signings like Agyemang, Clark, Ozoh and Travis all helped the team climb into promotion contention, but a bit more quality will be needed again this summer to bridge that gap to their rivals.

Completing permanent deals for their loan players would be a great start to the summer, albeit it will be no easy feat, so Eustace will have to work with Clowes and Pearce to get those over the line.