John Eustace backed over big Derby County decision - a "great partnership" is set to be forged | OneFootball

FLW's Derby County fan pundit has given his verdict on Lewis Travis replacing Ebou Adams as club captain

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…

John Eustace has recently confirmed the decision to replace Ebou Adams as Derby County captain with new recruit Lewis Travis.

The 45-year-old reunited with the midfielder over the summer, bringing from Blackburn Rovers where they previously worked together.

Derby's captains armband was spread out across the 2024-25 season, with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Eiran Cashin sharing it under Paul Warne, but Eustace's arrival in February saw the aforementioned Adams given the responsibility until the end of the campaign.

That honour has now been bestowed on Travis though, ahe 27-year-old has earned a reputation as a leader both on and off the pitch, with the Rams boss claiming that this move will allow Adams to focus on his performances for the team, rather than mentoring the younger members of the squad.

Travis has gone straight into the Derby starting lineup since his August move to Pride Park, featuring in both of their last two league fixtures.

No issues over Lewis Travis captaincy decision expected at Derby County

When asked about this decision to replace Adams with Travis as captain, FLW’s Derby fan pundit Shaun Woodward expects it to be taken with grace.

He praised the 29-year-old for his leadership on and off the pitch, and claimed that it won’t have any impact on his performances for the team.

“Knowing the way Adams is on and off the pitch, I think he’ll take it with real grace,” Woodward told Football League World.

“He’s a really passionate guy, he leads by example and I don’t think having the armband or not having the armband will impact him in any way at all.

“He will carry on leading, he’s quite vocal, he’ll get around the pitch.

“He’s a great bloke off the pitch as well, speaks really well, so I don’t think it’s going to impact his game.

“He might be a little bit upset underneath it all, but I think he’s man enough to acknowledge that.”

Woodward highlighted the connection between Travis and Eustace from Blackburn, and believes that they can work well together with Adams as part of the midfield going forward.

“Eustace obviously knows Travis well from his time at Blackburn, if he feels he is the better leader on and off the pitch, then he’s got to accept that and we move on," Shaun added.

“They can be a great partnership together in that two in front of the back four, and they can both lead.

“Just because someone’s got the armband, it doesn’t really make much difference.

"They’re both experienced players, they can both carry on doing their jobs in there and lead together.

“But, there can only be one captain and Travis has shown in his time at Blackburn that he’s a really, really integral person in that midfield and I think he’s going to be excellent for Derby alongside Adams.

“So, I don’t think it matters who got the armband personally out of those two.”

John Eustace's Derby County captain decision could bring the best out of Travis & Adams

Gambia international Adams is a true professional, and you'd imagine he will understand Eustace’s reasons for making the decision.

Being captain is an honour at any club, and the chance to take on such a role would’ve been a proud one for Adams, but at the end of the day it’s a relatively minor part of the team.

As long as he’s getting regular minutes in the side and is playing well, then there shouldn't be any problems surrounding the switch to Travis.

The ex-Blackburn player has proven his leadership qualities from his time at Ewood Park, and his relationship with Eustace gives him the confidence to make this move even with the midfielder just joining the club at the end of the summer.