Derby County's Championship season has been significantly hindered by the last-minute collapse of Turki Alalshikh's takeover on the eve of the season. The Rams currently sit in the relegation zone, having secured just five points from their opening eight games.
The aborted takeover in August, an hour before the deal was due to be completed, reportedly blindsided the club and affected transfer plans. While chief executive Stephen Pearce denied recruitment was impacted, head coach John Eustace admitted the club had to review targets, losing momentum on potential signings.
Adding to the challenges, Derby has been hit by a series of injuries to key players. Reigning player of the season Matt Clarke is unlikely to return before December, goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom is out for six weeks, and Derry Murkin is sidelined until after Christmas. These injuries have prevented Eustace from fielding a consistent back four since August.
Despite the difficult start, Eustace's job is not under threat, with his track record suggesting he can navigate the team away from trouble. Derby is set to host Wrexham on Saturday.