Richie Barker witnessed his Derby County team secure a victory against Chesterfield in a midweek clash.
Paul Warne faced a harsh reality check as his team, fresh from promotion, suffered a 4-2 defeat to Blackburn Rovers in the opening game of the 2024/25 Championship season, exposing some glaring weaknesses in the squad.
Looking to bounce back, the Rams are scheduled to meet Middlesbrough next. Before that, they hosted Chesterfield in a League Cup encounter at Pride Park, where they put on a commendable performance to clinch a 2-1 win.
Craig Forsyth’s standout display against Chesterfield could see him earn a starting spot in the upcoming weekend fixture. Liam Thompson, who found the net in the match, credited an impressive assist from 18-year-old Dajaune Brown for his goal.
Richie Barker took center stage for Derby during their cup tie, involved in both the touchline decision-making and the requisite post-match media obligations. Barker also provided updates on the injuries of Ebou Adams and Corey Blackett-Taylor, indicating their impending return to training this week.
In a lighthearted exchange with BBC Sport, Barker responded humorously when queried about Derby’s ongoing goalkeeper situation, playfully dismissing the importance of goalkeepers by stating, “I honestly don’t know. If I’m being brutally honest, I honestly don’t know. If I’m honest I’m not interested in goalkeepers, they just spoil the game, don’t they.”
Derby has been actively seeking a replacement for departed goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith, with recent reports suggesting a breakthrough. Swedish goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom has been lined up to fill the void, with a deal already in place, allowing Zetterstrom to wrap up his commitments with Djurgardens in the Europa Conference League qualifiers before making the move to England.
Derby’s supporters can expect Zetterstrom’s relocation post his final appearance for Djurgardens this week. However, uncertainties remain regarding his eligibility for the upcoming clash against Middlesbrough on August 17th, as hinted by Barker’s earlier comments.