Derby County, who are still looking for their first win of the 2025–26 Championship season, will go to Ipswich Town this weekend in an attempt to pick up three crucial points.
Since being demoted back to the second division at the end of the previous season, the Tractor Boys have had difficulty finding any kind of form, despite winning their last two games against the Rams.
Lewis Travis appears to be the next new face at Pride Park, while John Eustace is getting closer to signing Max Johnston.
But in order to hold Ipswich at Portman Road, Derby will need to perform at their very best, and Eustace is well aware of one important player who might make the difference in Suffolk.
When Derby County plays Ipswich Town, they need to figure out how to keep Sammie Szmodics in check.
Even if the Tractor Boys haven't had the finest start, their attacking third is unquestionably of high calibre.
Along with George Hirst, Chuba Akpom will provide a threat.
Even though the dynamic attacker has yet to score this season, Sammie Szmodics will be eager to face his old head coach.
He sustained an arm injury in a 1-1 tie with Southampton earlier in August, but he was determined to recover in time for Saturday's matchup with Preston North End.
Szmodics scored 27 goals in 44 games during his most recent Championship campaign, and Blackburn Rovers would have been relegated to League One without him.
Eustace must prepare his defence for the swift transitions that the former Coventry City player can lead since he is well aware of what the 29-year-old can bring.
John Eustace, the head coach of Derby, will meet up with Sammie Szmodics on Saturday. The two parted ways little over a year ago when the player moved to Ipswich.
But even though Eustace let the attacker miss out on Blackburn's preseason games while a move to the Premier League began to take shape last summer, the Tractor Boys' number 23 will still retain his former manager in high esteem.
Regarding Eustace in June, Szmodics stated: "I refused to play" (via: StillTalkingPodcast).
Now, I don't mind stating that. I wanted to move to Ipswich since it's in the Premier League, but I strived to be the best I could be at Blackburn. It's my dream, like I mentioned.
For me, Ipswich is like home, and the club there is fantastic. Blackburn is a fantastic club. I went to visit John Eustace when I was reluctant to play, and he was completely amazing with me. He responded,
"That's totally fine, I'll protect you and I'll help you with whatever you want," when I told him, "Listen, I don't want to disrespect the staff, the players, but I don't want to take part in the pre-season games."
In my opinion, he could have simply asked, "Who do you think you are?
which isn't me. I'm not like that. The season was clearly just getting started, and the Ipswich relocation had not yet been completed.
"I remember sitting with my agent and thinking, 'I have to play, I can't just refuse to play.'" He stated the season was just getting started.
I recall thinking, "I'm on the bench and I finished top scorer in the Championship last season," when I was benched against Derby in the season's opening match.
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