Latest news with #Eustace
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rivalry and reunions: Seven games that could be key for Rovers next season
We take a closer look at the key dates next season and which games could prove to be important for Rovers. Ismael reunion The opener on Saturday, August 9 sees Valerien Ismael return to the Hawthorns, where he had a spell in the dugout during the 2021/22 campaign. Advertisement Ismael took charge of the Baggies following their relegation from the Premier League. He was chosen as Sam Allardyce's replacement after guiding Barnsley into the play-offs. The Frenchman had a strong start, winning four of his first matches in the hot seat. However, Ismael's side won eight of their next 24 games and he departed the club after the January window. The Midlands club appointed Ryan Mason as their new boss earlier this summer and are aiming to build on their ninth-place finish. Eustace return John Eustace is set to return to Ewood Park on Saturday, November 8 when his Derby side travel to Lancashire. Advertisement It will be Eustace's first game back since his Rovers exit in February, although he did come up against his former squad at Pride Park a month later. The Rams were in danger of relegation when the 45-year-old took charge but ended up finishing in 19th place and a point above the drop zone. Derby have since signed striker Carlton Morris from Luton following the Hatters' relegation to League One. Local encounters Supporters always look out for the local fixtures when the schedule is released and Rovers are set for another couple of battles with Preston North End next season. The first is set for Saturday, November 22 when Ismael's squad make the short trip across the M65 to Deepdale. The return fixture at Ewood Park is pencilled in for Saturday, February 21. Advertisement Rovers came out on top when the sides met in January thanks to goals from Makhtar Gueye and Todd Cantwell, getting through a nervy ending after Brad Potts' strike. PNE have already brought in several fresh faces this summer including Daniel Iversen and Thierry Small. Festive focus Boxing Day is another fixture fans rush to check when the schedule is confirmed and next season's could be an interesting one. Rob Edwards is the new boss at Middlesbrough (Image: PA)Rovers head to Middlesbrough, who recently appointed Rob Edwards as their new boss after parting company with Michael Carrick. Boro were around the play-off picture for most of last season but ended up finishing in 10th place, winning one of their final five games. Advertisement Edwards arrives with an impressive CV, having taken Luton from League One to the Premier League. He had also won promotion from League Two with Forest Green before heading to Kenilworth Road. Hollywood clash New Year's Day is another highly-anticipated game and this time the fixture list threw up a clash with newly-promoted Wrexham. Phil Parkinson's side have had quite the journey, winning three straight promotions from the National League under their Hollywood owners. It looks set to be another busy summer in the transfer market for the Welsh club as they prepare for the step up from League One. Wrexham have not played a league game at Ewood Park since the early 80s and both clubs will be eager to kick off the calendar year with three points. Advertisement Eventful Easter The Easter period is always tricky and next season will be no different, as Rovers head to Birmingham before the return fixture against West Brom. The former are preparing for life back in the Championship after clinching the League One title on a record 111 points, having flexed their financial muscle to sign Jay Stansfield among others. Many are now tipping the Blues to have a real go in the second tier under their US-based owners, which includes NFL legend Tom Brady. Rovers have lost on their last couple of trips to St Andrew's, although they did win in the FA Cup in January 2023. Advertisement Leicester repeat It might be at Ewood Park this time but Rovers fans have happy memories of facing the Foxes on the final day. The club's safety in the Championship was still at risk as they headed to the King Power Stadium in 2023/24. Moreover, Leicester were preparing to lift the trophy and still had a chance of finishing the campaign on 100 points. Sam Szmodics' second-half brace secured a stunning victory on the road. It proved vital as Stoke, QPR, Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth and Birmingham all won their respective matches.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
A clear message from Eustace
Derby County held their fan forum last night at Pride Park as supporters questioned head coach John Eustace and CEO Stephen Pearce. Firstly, it was great to see Eustace in that environment - engaging and funny but absolutely sure of what he needs going forward into next summer and, sat alongside his CEO, his message was clear for all. Advertisement Eustace outlined attackers as the focus this summer, highlighting the lack of goals last season, and confirmed they'd like to add two to three exciting attackers. This falls in line with his plan to play a 4-2-3-1 formation going into next season. "I'd love to play a back four, some exciting attacking wingers and two good strikers," Eustace said. That back four may look different on the opening day of the Championship season. Eustace revealed they will be without defenders Curtis Nelson, Ryan Nyambe and Sondre Langas following injuries sustained last season. Looking at the big picture, as the club continue their huge pitch renovation at Pride Park, they will also be refurbishing the home changing room and all pitches at their training base at Moor Farm. Advertisement It was announced last night that the club have undertaken an academy restructure as they introduce a B team model which will serve as an extension to the first-team environment at the club. The B team will be led by Keith Briggs and participate in the Central League and Derbyshire Senior Cup, while the under-21s remain the same. There was no update on the club's search for investment and Pearce reiterated their business plan under David Clowes is going to plan. The head coach was asked what would make a great season. He suggested the play-offs would be an excellent campaign but went back to a familiar message of patience, highlighting the two-to-three year build both he and the club are on to get them back to the Premier League. Advertisement The night ended on a fun note but one that will carry weight when the new season arrives. A supporter asked for a less stressful campaign - and Pearce echoed that with Eustace. The Rams boss' response was short but sweet - "Only if you get the players".
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
A clear message from Eustace
Derby County held their fan forum last night at Pride Park as supporters questioned head coach John Eustace and CEO Stephen Pearce. Firstly, it was great to see Eustace in that environment - engaging and funny but absolutely sure of what he needs going forward into next summer and, sat alongside his CEO, his message was clear for all. Eustace outlined attackers as the focus this summer, highlighting the lack of goals last season, and confirmed they'd like to add two to three exciting attackers. This falls in line with his plan to play a 4-2-3-1 formation going into next season."I'd love to play a back four, some exciting attacking wingers and two good strikers," Eustace back four may look different on the opening day of the Championship season. Eustace revealed they will be without defenders Curtis Nelson, Ryan Nyambe and Sondre Langas following injuries sustained last season. Looking at the big picture, as the club continue their huge pitch renovation at Pride Park, they will also be refurbishing the home changing room and all pitches at their training base at Moor Farm. It was announced last night that the club have undertaken an academy restructure as they introduce a B team model which will serve as an extension to the first-team environment at the club. The B team will be led by Keith Briggs and participate in the Central League and Derbyshire Senior Cup, while the under-21s remain the same. There was no update on the club's search for investment and Pearce reiterated their business plan under David Clowes is going to plan. The head coach was asked what would make a great season. He suggested the play-offs would be an excellent campaign but went back to a familiar message of patience, highlighting the two-to-three year build both he and the club are on to get them back to the Premier League. The night ended on a fun note but one that will carry weight when the new season arrives. A supporter asked for a less stressful campaign - and Pearce echoed that with Eustace. The Rams boss' response was short but sweet - "Only if you get the players".
Rhyl Journal
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Champions Day seen as an ‘obvious' target for Docklands
Harry Eustace's five-year-old is owned by the Australian outfit OTI Racing, and was campaigned internationally over the winter before returning to Newmarket. His early campaign revolved around Ascot, a track he clearly favours and shone at again with a tough Group One victory over Rosallion. The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is therefore the late-season target over the same course and distance, with a European campaign the likely focus in the meantime. 'The obvious thing to do would be to work backwards from Champions Day at Ascot, there's also the Prix Jacques le Marois and the Sussex Stakes,' said Eustace. 'He takes his racing well, he ran 10 days before Ascot at Epsom so I don't necessarily want or need to space his racing out a lot. 'He put in a huge performance at Ascot, but he's a five-year-old and if there was ever a year where we can campaign him more aggressively then this is it. 'We were waiting to see how Ascot panned out before we began plotting where'd he go next, but the one thing we know he won't do is go to Australia.' Eustace had two Group One winners across Royal Ascot, the second being Time For Sandals after her 25-1 strike in the Commonwealth Cup. She has a host of top level sprints on her radar, though connections anticipate next year will be a busier campaign as she started her season this time relatively early. 'She's great and seems to have come out of it really well,' he said of the filly. 'We hadn't really thought past Ascot with her because we were pitching her in a Group One and we knew it'd tell us how to campaign her for the rest of season. 'Now she's a Group One winner, she's got to run in Group One races so races like the Flying Five, the Nunthorpe and the Haydock Sprint Cup are all obvious targets. 'She was up and running early enough for the Fred Darling so I don't think we'll be campaigning her aggressively this year. 'We'll very much look at the older sprint programme next year, it sort of writes itself.'
Leader Live
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Champions Day seen as an ‘obvious' target for Docklands
Harry Eustace's five-year-old is owned by the Australian outfit OTI Racing, and was campaigned internationally over the winter before returning to Newmarket. His early campaign revolved around Ascot, a track he clearly favours and shone at again with a tough Group One victory over Rosallion. The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is therefore the late-season target over the same course and distance, with a European campaign the likely focus in the meantime. 'The obvious thing to do would be to work backwards from Champions Day at Ascot, there's also the Prix Jacques le Marois and the Sussex Stakes,' said Eustace. 'He takes his racing well, he ran 10 days before Ascot at Epsom so I don't necessarily want or need to space his racing out a lot. 'He put in a huge performance at Ascot, but he's a five-year-old and if there was ever a year where we can campaign him more aggressively then this is it. 'We were waiting to see how Ascot panned out before we began plotting where'd he go next, but the one thing we know he won't do is go to Australia.' Eustace had two Group One winners across Royal Ascot, the second being Time For Sandals after her 25-1 strike in the Commonwealth Cup. She has a host of top level sprints on her radar, though connections anticipate next year will be a busier campaign as she started her season this time relatively early. 'She's great and seems to have come out of it really well,' he said of the filly. 'We hadn't really thought past Ascot with her because we were pitching her in a Group One and we knew it'd tell us how to campaign her for the rest of season. 'Now she's a Group One winner, she's got to run in Group One races so races like the Flying Five, the Nunthorpe and the Haydock Sprint Cup are all obvious targets. 'She was up and running early enough for the Fred Darling so I don't think we'll be campaigning her aggressively this year. 'We'll very much look at the older sprint programme next year, it sort of writes itself.'
