Millwall response said it all as transfer profile stared Derby in the face

CommentsSportopinionLeigh Curtis Derby County Writer11:08, 11 Mar 2026Updated 11:18, 11 Mar 2026Josh Coburn's first-half header was enough to keep Millwall's promotion push on track as Derby County's injury problems continue to pile up after goalkeeper Josh Vickers became the latest addition to the treatment table.

Coburn pounced before half-time when he headed in at the back post after Tristan Crama had hooked a ball back into the danger zone and that was enough to seal all three points.

And on a hard night for John Eustace's side, they have been left with one fit senior goalkeeper after Vickers appeared to pull a muscle in the final stages of the game with Jacob Widell Zetterstrom already on the treatment table.

Derby could have taken the lead when a corner from Joe Ward picked out Patrick Agyemang whose towering header beat Anthony Patterson, but not Zak Sturge who managed to clear off the line.

Millwall's response was for Zak Sturge to see a header clawed away by Josh Vickers before Alex Neil's side rattled the post, although it would not have counted due to a foul from Josh Coburn.

Joe Ward had a long shot from distance that fizzed past the upright but just before the break, Millwall took the lead.

Tristan Crama managed to turn a ball into the danger area at the back post and there to meet it was Coburn who headed into the corner of the net.

Rhian Brewster tried to find Ben Brereton Diaz at the back post just before the break, but the latter just couldn't reach his cross.

Eustace sent on Bobby Clark at half-time for Ozoh and the former teed up an effort for Lewis Travis after the break. but the skipper's effort flew past the upright.

But the best chance Derby created came when a clever ball over the top from Szmodics allowed Agyemang to use his pace during which he fended off a challenge Crama.

That took him into the area, but with just the goalkeeper to beat, he dragged his shot wide of the post. Szmodics then dragged a shot past the upright as Derby pushed for an equaliser.

And they were so close to making it 1-1 when Carlton Morris headed inches wide of the post. There was still time for Agyemang to almost snatch a point but his shot cannoned off the upright.

They deserved something

It was only a short time ago when we were all picking the bones out of the defeat to Hull amid a general consensus that Derby should have come away with a result.

Last night, those same conversations were taking place again on a night when a spirited second-half performance should have yielded a far greater reward than it did.

We have seen this movie before against one of the Championship's promotion chasers, and just like Hull, it was the same ending.

Nobody could dispute that Derby were excellent for large spells of the second half during which four gilt-edged chances came and went.

Patrick Agyemang (twice), Sam Szmodics and Carlton Morris all had terrific opportunities but failed to hit the target as Derby were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal.

Zak Sturge's goalline clearance in the first half was also another slice of evidence for the in-tray as to how fine the margins were at the New Den.

The reaction of the Millwall fans in front of the press box last night told its own story as one turned to jokingly mop his brow which indicated their relief.

But ultimately, we can now file the Millwall game next to Hull as an example of how a lack of ruthlessness proved costly.

You may recall how, on these pages in the not-so-distant past, that while Derby are in a position to attack the top six, their season should not be defined by whether they reach the playoffs.

Whatever fate has in store for Derby in the last nine games of the season, it should not be written off as a failure if they don't end up vying for a place in the Premier League.

There were a couple of social media gripes last night, indicating that it should be, but it's a short-sighted view when you consider this time last season, everybody thought Derby would be relegated.

Indeed, when the odds for promotion were dished out by the bookies, the club wasn't part of that conversation so to be in this position as we approach the run-in is a testament to their progress.

There is a base of a really good team here, but it's still not got the quality of depth of teams that are above them, and just below them too.

And that's not forgetting a season in which the treatment table has had more casualties than an episode of Holby City. This season was all about progress and we have seen massive strides in that respect. If the top six doesn't happen, then it will not be a disaster. Sometimes you have to remember where you came from.

Bannan is a good transfer profile

Derby will undoubtedly strengthen their squad in the summer and the centre of midfield should be an area of focus as to where they can make adjustments.

While they are blessed with industry, they don't quite have a player with the vision or the ability to dictate a game from the base of midfield but it was staring them in the face last night.

Barry Bannan may well be entering the twilight years of his career, but the one-time Derby loanee has exactly the kind of profile that Derby should be looking for when the market opens.

He's extremely gifted on the ball and has an excellent weight of pass. There is a reason why Millwall were so keen to tear him from his beloved Sheffield Wednesday and if you give him time, he will hurt you as Derby found out to their cost during his time at Hillsborough.

Finding somebody with his kind of skillset would make a big difference to a team that has some exciting forward talent. If Lewis Travis is going to be the steel, then somebody with Bannon's repertoire would certainly provide the silk.

Vickers loss is a blow

Derby will obviously investigate just how serious Vickers' injury is, but it did not look good as he marched down the tunnel.

As he made his way off the pitch, he seemed to signal that a muscle had gone and Eustace fears that he may have torn his groin.

That would make it eight players who are on the treatment table and while Eustace was very much a case of next man up, it's hard not to feel some sympathy.

Last week, Derby's head coach said he could count on one hand as to how many times he has been able to field what he believes is his strongest team.

Injuries are to be expected, but Derby seem to have endured more than their fair share and to some big players too. It means Richard O'Donnell has now gone from being third choice to first choice for the time being particularly with Jacob Widell Zetterstrom still struggling with a virus.

O'Donnell has been excellent when he has stepped into the breach, particularly in that win at Bristol City, not to mention Charlton away. But Derby could do with a break. Fortunately, they will get one later this month when the international fixtures will give them some breathing space.