"Start to change" - Derby County told they must tweak off-field strategy under John Eustace | OneFootball

FLW's Derby fan pundit has identified the number of summer signings that could happen at the club this year

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 current form is raising serious concerns over their ability to survive their first season back in the Championship.

John Eustace was appointed the new manager of the club earlier this month, but the Rams have been unable to turn around their poor results so far.

This has left them at risk of sliding back into League One at the first attempt unless they can suddenly string together a run of results in the final couple months of the season.

Regardless of league status for next year, it is likely to be a busy summer ahead at Pride Park, particularly as Eustace will want to put his mark on this Derby squad.

Derby youth academy claim made

When asked how many signings could be made this summer, FLW’s Derby fan pundit Shaun Woodward claimed it could be as many as 10 or even 15.

He has emphasised the need for Eustace to make the most of the academy system at the club, suggesting this rate of player turnover is not sustainable long-term.

“We’re going to need at least 15 new players, I would say, in the squad for League One,” Woodward told Football League World.

“I know John Eustace did mention in one of his press conferences that he likes to bring through the youth, and he needs to look at our U18s. They’re absolutely smashing it.

“They’re on fire this season, scoring loads of goals, looking really positive. I think he’s going to have to start bringing some of those into the squad and to put them in.

“I think we need to start to change the way we do things at the club. It hasn’t worked this year.

“A lot of the players we’ve brought in aren’t good enough.

“So, why not bring in your own young kids that we spend money on every year in these academies to try and come up and see if they’re good enough. We’re only going to find out by playing them.

“I think he’s going to have to start to tap into the U18s and the U21s because we can’t afford to keep spending money on 10 or 15 players that realistically aren’t good enough.

“We need to bring our own players through, mix them with a few proven players at League One, Championship level.”

Derby are currently 23rd in the Championship table with only 12 games remaining, with four points separating them from safety.

Derby spending will be necessary whatever happens this season

Derby will need to bring in new players this summer regardless of their league status.

Their academy system has been a great resource, especially in recent years as they’ve struggled financially.

The sale of academy player Eiran Cashin in January brought in funds, most of which weren’t invested back into the team properly.

Eustace will be hoping to spend some of that in the summer to shape the squad to his liking, but first he must figure out how to get the best out of his current options to ensure Derby remain in the Championship.