The Derby County Herald
Player ratings17 Aug 2026
Nobody could get near Ben Brereton Díaz
Successful dribbles: 24. Every time he got the ball somebody had to make a decision, and every time the decision was wrong.
Squad17 Aug 2026
Sam Szmodics in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Derby County this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Boardroom17 Aug 2026
5 academy players handed senior numbers at Derby County
The morning the pathway stops being a brochure and becomes a team sheet. Most of them will not be here in three years; all of them have already done the hard part, which was getting to today.
Squad17 Aug 2026
No hiding place for Matt Clarke
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Matt Clarke, and the manager let it.
Market17 Aug 2026
Derby County promote Luke Robinson from within
The academy exists for exactly this morning. Luke Robinson has come through every age group the club runs and has now been handed a senior number, and the people who coached him at twelve will be the proudest in the building.
Market17 Aug 2026
Oliver Watson steps up from the Derby County academy
There is no fee, no unveiling and no agent on the steps. Oliver Watson has been at this club since he was a boy and is now, formally, one of the first-team squad — which for a local readership beats any signing of any size.
Market17 Aug 2026
Derby County promote Luke Murphy from within
The academy exists for exactly this morning. Luke Murphy has come through every age group the club runs and has now been handed a senior number, and the people who coached him at twelve will be the proudest in the building.
Market17 Aug 2026
One of our own: Henry Henderson joins the Derby County first team
Clubs spend fortunes looking for players and occasionally find one down the corridor. Henry Henderson is that, and the reception he gets on his first appearance will be different in kind from the one any signing receives.
Match15 Aug 2026
Patrick Agyemang sends Derby County past Preston
It finished 1‑0, and it was Patrick Agyemang’s afternoon: on the scoresheet when it mattered, and the reason the points belong to Derby County.
In brief
- Player ratings The afternoon belonged to Patrick Agyemang
- Squad Derby County pick somebody else ahead of Carlton Morris
- Squad Patrick Agyemang is off the mark for Derby County