This Week's Opposition: Derby County

The key facts and figured behind Portsmouth's next Championship opponent.

The Blues came from behind to secure a victory at Fratton Park against Blackburn Rovers last time out, taking them out of the relegation zone.

John Mousinho’s side are back on the road again this time around and they head to Pride Park to take on Derby County.

MANAGER

John Eustace is in charge of The Rams and has been since the 13th February.

After an extensive playing career, his final season in professional football came in 2014/15 for The Rams, where he ranked up 62 games and 3 goals across his 2 spells. Eustace retired after his departure from Derby and played a total of 434 games, scoring 34 goals.

His first steps into management came at National League side Kidderminster Harriers in April 2016. Eustace then moved into an assistant role at QPR and had a 7 game caretaker spell in 2018/19. He remained part of the coaching staff until the 2021/22 season before returning to management as head coach of Birmingham City.

Eustace took over at Pride Park after leaving fellow Championship side Blackburn. In total, he has recorded 226 matches in management, winning 98 and drawing 53.

His appointment was a turning point for The Rams as he guided Derby to safety on the final day of last season following a fine run of form between March and May.

ONE TO WATCH

Our one to watch this weekend is Patrick Agyemang (no, not that one).

He began his career in high school, where he attended Eastern Connecticut State University and played US college soccer for the Eastern Connecticut Warriors. Over 2 years, he netted 30 goals in 39 matches.

Agyemang transferred to the University of Rhode Island in 2020, his first non-league experience was playing for the USL League Two side Western Mass Pioneers. He assisted his team to lift the league’s Eastern Conference title.

Agyemang linked up with The Rams this summer from Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC for an undisclosed fee on a 4-year contract.

The United States international striker earned his first senior cap in January this year and went on to score 5 goals within his first 9 matches for his nation.

So far this season, Agyemang has 5 goals and 3 assists with 2 of those goals coming in the side’s most recent win against Sheffield Wednesday.

TOP SCORER

Carlton Morris is the leading scorer for The Rams.

The forward came through the Norwich academy, where he won The FA Youth Cup in May 2013, before signing his first professional deal 7 months later.

Morris had loan spells with Oxford United and York City before joining Scottish Premiership side Hamilton Academical. He also had loan spells at Rotherham United and Shrewsbury Town too.

Before the switch to Shropshire that really kickstarted his career, reaching double figures for the first time with 10 goals in all competitions, he re-joined Rotherham. Morris also had 2 spells with MK Dons before departing Carrow Road on a permanent basis to join Barnsley.

After a season at Barnsley, the striker joined Luton Town in the summer of 2022 and secured Premier League promotion in his first season. Morris scored 11 goals and recorded 4 assists in the top flight.

Morris made the move to Pride Park in June and he has already netted 10 goals, making him the 2nd highest goalscorer in the league alongside Brandon Thomas-Asante and Joe Gelhardt.

The number 9 will not be in the Derby squad due to a knee injury which is expected to keep him out of the team until February.

CURRENT FORM

The Rams have had a good start to the season and occupy 12th in the table. Their last 5 games have resulted in 2 victories, 2 draws and 1 defeat with the most recent win coming away at Sheffield Wednesday - 3-0 on Monday night.

The last time these teams met at Pride Park was just over a year ago and it was Derby who came out on top with a 4-0 victory.

Can the Blues follow up their recent win with another away from home?

Join the Pompey Live team for all of the unmissable action this Saturday (December 20th) afternoon from 2pm - Jake Smith, Kirsty Roxanne and James Wilson will be covering the match LIVE from Pride Park.

Kick-off: 3pm!