John Eustace expects Derby to ‘keep growing’ after fine victory at West Brom

Derby manager John Eustace was full of praise for his players after registering their first win of the Sky Bet Championship season with a 1-0 victory over West Brom at The Hawthorns.

Former Albion player Andi Weimann grabbed the pivotal goal on the 84th minute with a smart finish into the bottom corner.

Eustace said: “I am delighted to get the first win of the season and a clean sheet.

“I thought we suffered a little bit in the first half and showed them a little bit too much respect but we defended our box very well.

“I told them to take the game to them a little bit more at half-time and we did.

“Andi Weimann has come to the football club on the back of five months out, we knew he wasn’t at the level to play week in week out but the way he scored is the Weimann who I know.

“There’s lots to come from the group, I’ve said the group is going to grow. We had to bring in 13 players and move 13 on, so it’s important we get our 25 men together and keep growing.

“Wins bring confidence of course but I think we had good momentum anyway. All the teams we’ve played have settled squads – we knew it was going to be a difficult first 10 games but there’s good progression.

“We could have easily got points at Stoke; the Coventry game could’ve gone either way – all the teams we’ve played have settled squads.

“It’s about the team growing, every one of them players were excellent.”

Jayson Molumby unleashed a powerful half-volley in the hope of getting the hosts level which crashed off the crossbar and no Albion player was able to secure the rebound.

The Baggies were condemned to a first league loss of the campaign having taken 10 points from their first four matches.

But head coach Ryan Mason said: “We played a great game, we didn’t get what we deserved but that’s football.

“We had dominance in terms of territory and balls in the box but didn’t create too many chances but that’s what happens when you’re playing against a team that defends with 10 players behind the ball.

“We understood openings would happen and they did happen, we just didn’t take them.

“To concede after just one shot and it’s in the 84th minute, it’s not usual that happens and I thought we didn’t deserve to lose.

“The emotion of losing the game of football is not going to overshadow my understanding of how the game went. We played a good game and deserved to win but we didn’t.

“In the worst case that game is a draw. It’s still fresh and hurts so much for me and the players but we played a good game.

“It just didn’t fall our way; we have to accept it and move on.

“I want my players to feel the pain, they do, it’s my job to take the emotion out of it and that is difficult.”