John Eustace Can Deliver Perfect Riposte After Brutal Knighthead Treatment
Birmingham City come up against their former head coach John Eustace today in a highly anticipated Championship clash. Derby County manager John Eustace is plotting Birmingham City's downfall, seeking to prove a point after his controversial sacking by Knighthead two-and-a-half years ago.
Pressure Mounts on Chris Davies and Birmingham City
Chris Davies did little to take the pressure off his Birmingham City players at his press conference on Thursday. The Blues manager just about stopped short of calling today's meeting with Derby County a 'must-win', but he made it clear that a big victory is needed extremely soon. Otherwise, talk of the play-offs will be shelved for another year.
Most supporters have already thrown in the towel on the top-six chase. Blues have slipped up too many times, and the road to the play-offs is too congested for some to contemplate the possibility of a miracle. Even a return of 19 points from 24 in the final eight games might not be enough, such is the fierce pace being set this season in the Championship.
Derby County Exceeding Expectations Under Eustace
Derby don't require such a miracle. The Rams have exceeded expectations under ex-Blues boss John Eustace and sit just three points behind sixth place at the start of the day. Eustace has recovered from Knighthead's ruthless decision to sack him to carve out a very good managerial career for himself in the Championship.
He left Blackburn Rovers in promotion contention to save Derby from relegation last season, and their progress has been swift and impressive. "I think he's criminally underrated at this level," says Leigh Curtis, who covers the Rams for DerbyshireLive. "He knows how to win and already we've seen the fruits of his labour this season."
Curtis added, "In the summer if you'd asked Derby fans where they thought they would be, I don't think many would have said challenging for the top-six. This season was all about stability and progress from last season."
Eustace's Evolution and Managerial Traits
Eustace has shown many of the traits which made him popular at Blues during his brief tenure. He led a successful survival bid by making Derby difficult to beat with a five-man defence before transitioning to a more attack-minded 4-2-3-1 formation.
Curtis explained further: "If you compare the football from last season, where it was purely about results and being hard to beat... we've seen an evolution into a 4-2-3-1 and there have been some very bright attacking performances, such as the 5-0 win at Bristol City. They're very good on the counter-attack."
He continued, "Once the squad progresses and he gets the players in that he wants, because I'm expecting another big summer, I think it will go to another level."
Sting for Knighthead if Eustace Ends Blues' Hopes
The next level for Derby and Blues is the Premier League, but only the former are truly in contention to achieve that this season. Whether they will or not is another matter – few people would back Derby to win the play-offs even if they make it – but if it is Eustace who formally ends Blues' promotion hopes, then it will sting deeply for Knighthead.
They sacked him because they didn't believe he could lead them to the Premier League, yet his Championship CV suggests he is closer to getting it right than they are. Today's match is not just another fixture; it's a personal and professional showdown that could define the narratives for both clubs as the season reaches its climax.
