Derby County: John Eustace urged to take Ebou Adams action - problem was "evident" v Charlton Athletic | OneFootball

FLW's Derby County fan pundit has given his verdict on the midfield situation amid their poor form

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…

Derby County’s poor form continued midweek with a 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic.

John Eustace’s side are currently hovering just outside the relegation zone, having earned only seven points from their opening eight fixtures.

The Rams have struggled to convert draws into wins, drawing four times in the Championship this season.

In particular, the midfield pairing of Lewis Travis and Ebou Adams has come under fire amid this disappointing spell of results.

Supporters have been calling for a change, with Crystal Palace loanee David Ozoh an option to come into the side in place of one of the two midfielders.

Ebou Adams selection claim made by Derby County fan

When asked if one of Adams and Travis needs to be dropped, FLW’s Derby fan pundit Shaun Woodward claimed that the former’s time in the side may be up for now.

He believes that the pairing is too defensive, and that someone with a different profile is needed in order to get the best out of the team again.

“I’m a massive Ebou Adams fan, always have been,” Woodward told Football League World.

“I absolutely love everything about the guy, the way he conducts himself on and off the pitch, he’s been a huge part of our success over the last couple of years.

“However, now that we are starting to get a bit more of a technical team, we’ve improved personnel at the club, I do think he’s going to struggle if we do try and play a different style of football.

“And him and Travis together, especially at home, just don’t work.

“They’re both very same, both do the same job, they both want to protect the back four, but neither of them are ball players.”

Woodward has suggested bringing Ozoh into the starting lineup, as he is someone that can help bring the ball forward and better connect the defence with the attack: “So, you need to get someone in there that can actually link up between the lines, between the defence and the midfield to attack, and with those two playing together you don’t get there.

“And it’s been evident in the games they’ve played together.

“They’ve really lacked that spark in the middle, that drive through the lines and so, for me, Ozoh has to play.

“He’s the one that can drive forward.

“Yes, he’s a bit raw, but he gives us something that the other two can’t.

“So, if you’re going to stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation, those two of Travis and Adams, I don’t think can stay together.

“And it kills me to say it because I absolutely love the guy, but I do think Adams would be the one that gets sacrificed.

“Purely because Eustace brought in Travis, made him captain, so he trusts him clearly above Adams.

“As much as it pains me to say it, I do think Adams is the one who will be dropped for Ozoh.”

Derby are currently 20th in the Championship table, sitting just one point clear of Oxford United in the relegation zone.

The Rams could fall into the bottom three for the October international break if they fail to get a result this weekend.

Their winless run has now stretched to three games, having drawn with Wrexham and Charlton, as well as suffering defeat to Preston North End.

Next up for Eustace’s side is a home clash against Southampton on 4 October in a 3pm kick-off.

A change might be exactly what’s needed at Derby

Eustace has tried this pairing of Adams and Travis since the latter joined the club in the summer, but it hasn’t been working.

Bringing in someone like Ozoh would make a lot of sense, as the 20-year-old is someone that could add something different to the midfield.

Results have been far below pre-season expectations, and sticking with what’s not working wouldn’t make sense for Eustace.

A change could be what helps turn around Derby’s form, and Ozoh is ready for the chance to show he can take on a starting role in the side.