On Saturday, we saw once again, the lack of chemistry Derby’s defensive unit has at the moment.
Taylor was fooled by the run of Carlos Vicente in the lead up to Birmingham City’s equaliser. A simple fake to run inside left Taylor running towards the same space as Cashin.
The full-back made a last ditch attempt to try and prevent Vicente from scoring at the far post, ultimately getting caught under the ball and allowing the Blues number seven to head home.
For the second goal, Langas became too invested in Christoph Klarer trying to make himself a nuisance to Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, leaving the Rams goalkeeper rooted to the spot and unable to deal with the delivery from the corner kick.
Furthermore Langas’ lack of engagement in the set-piece left Paik Seung-Ho unmarked, and able to ghost in at the far post to score the simplest of headers.
It goes without saying that both of the goals Derby conceded on Saturday were incredibly soft, but it is also no secret that the Rams are lucky Birmingham weren’t more clinical on the day, as they could have conceded four or five.
An improvement in an attacking sense amounts to absolutely nothing if you can’t keep the back door shut.
Despite more positive patterns of play, more urgency in the final third, and more problems being caused to the opposition’s defence, the result simply didn’t change, and Derby fell to their third straight defeat.
Until the Rams can field a consistent and settled back four, you feel they will continue to concede goals.
The long term injuries to Derry Murkin, and reigning player of the season, Matt Clarke, are far from ideal. If those two players were fully fit, they would undoubtedly be two of the first names on the team sheet for Eustace.
That being said, Derby need to deal with the cards they have been dealt, and try and find a way to fill in the gaps until those players can return.
You can often catch Amelia Warren, external as a guest on BBC Radio Derby.