Derby County: John Eustace wants to see fight from relegation-threatened Rams

Following his arrival at Derby, Eustace said the 14 Championship matches that the East Midlands club had remaining would all be treated as “cup finals”.

And he insists that that the heavy loss at QPR has not changed his outlook on what will be demanded of his side.

“It’s a huge challenge, I was under no illusion coming in how tough the job was going to be,” Eustace said.

“We just have to look forward now and be really positive about everything.

“What happened on Friday night was disappointing, no-one wanted to lose the game but we have 13 big games coming up – and Saturday is a huge game.”

Eustace said he has spent the week “getting back to basics” with a squad that has managed to score just four goals in 10 league games dating back to late December.

Following his appointment, former England and Derby boss Steve McClaren – a manager Eustace played for at the Rams and later worked with at QPR as a coach – praised the 45-year-old for the style of play he has cultivated at previous clubs.

It was likened to the exciting approach McClaren fostered in his first spell at Derby, which took them to within one win of promotion to the Premier League.

When asked if he wants to have Derby playing the same way, Eustace replied: “We want to bring exciting, attacking football back to this football club, but it’s going to take time.

“The most important thing now is that we try pick up points, if it’s ugly of if it’s exciting, it doesn’t matter because we need to pick up as many points as we can.”