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The first round of the Carabao Cup greets our EFL sides on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Derby County facing West Brom at The Hawthorns in their tie.
The Rams did the double over the Baggies last season, with their victory in the West Midlands ultimately ending Tony Mowbray’s time in charge at B71.
However, West Brom got off to the best possible start on Saturday afternoon as they ran out 1-0 winners over Blackburn Rovers at home, with former Derby loanee Nat Phillips impressing greatly.
Nevertheless, a new season means new stars, and John Eustace must hand one of his summer arrivals his debut against the Baggies on Tuesday evening.
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Bobby Clark must be given the chance to star for Derby County against West Brom
The focus for Derby this season has to be on the league, and while the cup does offer a chance for the team to face some of the biggest clubs in the country, it could well be a distraction for a squad already struggling with injuries.
Corey Blackett-Taylor is set to miss the next six weeks due to a hamstring problem, while there are a number of players still returning to full fitness.
Therefore, Tuesday evening is the perfect opportunity to get Bobby Clark involved, especially as the Rams’ midfield was lacking in quality throughout in the defeat to Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.
The former Liverpool man joined on loan from RB Salzburg just last week, rejecting Sunderland and Leeds United as he became the ninth signing of the summer at Derby.
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Bobby Clark is lacking fitness and needs game time himself
Clark did not have much of a pre-season in Austria, and getting him to full match fitness will take a little bit of time.
However, this is why he must start against West Brom, with the Championship surely the focus for Derby in 2025/26. The Baggies may also play a rotated squad, and Eustace needs to see how different combinations work together in the midfield.
Clark has a Carabao Cup medal to his name, having won the competition with Liverpool during the 2023/24 campaign, and this fresh challenge will be great experience for him.
His versatility will also be key, with Derby lacking in multiple areas right now due to injuries, and he could fill the attacking midfield role if Eustace persists with a 4-2-3-1 formation.