Derby County boss John Eustace notes Hull City transfer dealings and the advantage they have ahead of relegation fight

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John Eustace has looked ahead to Derby County’s clash with Hull City and the advantage the Tigers supposedly gained in January.

Derby County face the trip to Hull City this weekend as they look to give their ongoing battle against relegation a boost.

The clash has all the hallmarks of a relegation six-pointer for both sides, as a win for Hull City could clinch their survival in the Championship, whilst anything short of a win for Derby County could find themselves within punching distance of Luton Town.

There has been plenty of talk from either camp ahead of the clash, with Ruben Selles praising Derby County boss John Eustace, whilst the Rams coach has highlighted Jerry Yates as a star man since he took over from Paul Warne.

Eustace has also reflected on the current Hull City side they will face this weekend, and the ‘quality’ they have in their team.

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Derby County boss John Eustace gives Hull City verdict and how much they ‘spent’

Looking ahead to this weekend’s game between Hull and Derby, Eustace has pointed out the moves that the Tigers made in the January transfer window, suggesting that this should give them an advantage against his side.

“They spent a lot of money in January and brought a lot of good players in, and they’ve got a quality squad there,” Eustace said to the in-house media team.

“They’re going to be a really difficult opponent, but one we’re really looking forward to challenging.”

In the January window, Hull City made eight signings, with Eliot Matazo, Louie Barry, Nordin Amrabat, and Joe Gelhardt coming through the doors.

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Hull City January additions advantage won’t be as extensive as expected

Looking at Hull City’s January signings, the two that were set to bolster Selles’ squad the most were the arrivals of Eliot Matazo and Luie Barry from AS Monaco and Aston Villa, respectively. However, both are out of the clash with Derby County due to injury.

The likes of Amrabat, John Egan, and Gelhardt will be available, but the side that Selles has at his disposal isn’t quite what it looks like on paper due to the catalogue of injuries that the Tigers have suffered throughout the 2024/25 Championship campaign.

One thing that is certain though, is that whichever 11 is on the field for either side, Derby County will have to take the game to Hull City, in a situation where a draw is only good enough for one side.