John Eustace’s hand has been forced in his side’s last two games, with injuries at the back leaving him short in defence with his side returning to a four-player defensive unit. Nevertheless, those involved have taken to the task excellently.
But it’s not just been those at the back who have improved in the last week, with Ben Brereton Diaz finally showing Rams fans exactly why he was brought to the club on loan in the summer transfer window.
The Chile international picked up his second assist in two games on Tuesday evening in Derby’s 2-1 win over Charlton Athletic, and he has started to change the opinions of supporters.
Verdict made on Ben Brereton Diaz’s future at Derby County
The first few months of Brereton Diaz’s loan move to the Rams did not go well, and he was ironically applauded off the pitch on a few occasions before Christmas by those at Pride Park.
However, the 26-year-old has now scored twice and registered two assists in his last four games in all competitions and Football League World’s Derby Fan Pundit, Shaun Woodward, has opened up on whether the club should seek a permanent move in summer.
He said: “Brereton Diaz’s form of late has been so much better than what we saw before Christmas. His goal contributions are so much higher now. He’s got two goals and two assists in his last three or four games, I think.
“He looks a lot more positive. His end product’s a lot better; his decision-making is so much better. He’s always worked hard. He just looked like he was really lacking confidence and a couple of goals and a couple of assists really helped him find his feet and to feel at home.
“I think the players are trusting him a bit more now as well with the ball. He just looks like he’s getting in much better positions to impact on the game, which we know he can. I think that’s why fans are frustrated, because they knew there was a player there, but he just wasn’t showing it.”
Shaun continued: “It’s probably too early to say that we’d want to sign him. I think he needs to show this consistency now throughout the rest of the season. If he does, then I think it is worth us trying to get him in because he is a good player at this level, there’s no doubt about it.
“If he can find a home at Derby, then that’s great because we’ll have a great player on our hands. He just needs to carry on in this form, and hopefully that means we’ll have a good end of the season and be pushing for the top six.”
Ben Brereton Diaz is starting to show consistency
There’s no denying that Brereton Diaz did not endear himself to supporters in the first-half of his loan move to Derby, but he looks to have turned a corner and this is only helping his side in their push up the table.
Both of his goals in the league have come against Wrexham, and his strike against the Red Dragons earlier this month has helped him regain confidence – an asset that is vital to the former Nottingham Forest forward.
Eustace was keen to get this deal over the line in the summer and Brereton Diaz is finally showing why he was brought to the club and if his form continues, then he has the chance to bring himself into the picture for a permanent move.
Nevertheless, he cannot let this purple patch slip and more goal involvements will only help gain the trust of those in the stands further.
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