John Eustace, the newly appointed manager of Derby County, has issued a rallying cry to his players ahead of their crucial Championship clash against Millwall. With the Rams teetering on the brink of relegation, Eustace is determined to see his side rise to the occasion and prove their mettle.

Last Friday, Derby suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Queens Park Rangers, marking Eustace's first game in charge and sending the club back into the relegation zone. Despite the setback, Eustace remains steadfast in his belief that his team can turn their fortunes around.

"It was a very emotional week for everybody," Eustace admitted in an interview with BBC Radio Derby. "But now, the boys have prepared properly. Their level of intensity and the way they have trained has been excellent."

The Derby boss emphasized the importance of the upcoming match, stating, "The most important thing for me is that we get three points, that we are really competitive in the game, and show everyone that we are up for the fight."

Eustace's approach is clear: treat every remaining game as a cup final. With 14 matches left in the season, he is fully aware of the challenges ahead. "It's a huge challenge," he said. "I was under no illusion coming in how tough the job was going to be. We just have to look forward now and be really positive about everything."

The Derby squad has struggled to find the back of the net, scoring just four goals in their last 10 league games. Eustace is determined to rectify this, having spent the past week "getting back to basics" with his players.

When asked about his style of play, Eustace revealed his desire to bring exciting, attacking football back to Derby. However, he acknowledged that results are paramount. "The most important thing now is that we try to pick up points," he said. "Whether it's ugly or exciting, it doesn't matter because we need to pick up as many points as we can."

As Derby prepares to face Millwall, the stakes couldn't be higher. The players, the fans, and the entire club will be looking for a performance that demonstrates their determination to avoid the drop. For Eustace and his side, it's all about showing fight and proving that they are up for the challenge.

Listen: John Eustace talks to BBC Radio Derby ahead of Millwall game

Related Topics:

• Championship
• Football
• Derby County
• Millwall