Excitement around Derby County has reportedly gone completely out of control after the club’s recent pre-season announcements sent supporters into full “we’re winning the league” mode.
Following confirmation of friendlies against Alfreton Town, Rotherham United and German side Freiburg, fans have started treating John Eustace like a tactical genius preparing for football warfare rather than pre-season training.
One supporter outside Pride Park allegedly shouted:
“Pep Guardiola studies tactics. Eustace studies destiny.”
The Rams are also returning to Austria for a summer training camp, which supporters now believe is secretly a “Championship promotion laboratory.”
Club staff have denied rumours that Derby players are training at “unreasonable intensity,” although witnesses claim one five-a-side match ended with three crunching tackles, two arguments and a standing ovation from academy coaches.
Meanwhile, Derby’s new home kit launch caused scenes among supporters, with fans queueing so early that one steward reportedly asked if tickets for the play-off final had gone on sale by mistake.
The optimism comes after Eustace guided Derby to an impressive eighth-place finish in the Championship last season, narrowly missing out on the play-offs after a huge turnaround in form.
Fans are now convinced something special is building at Pride Park — although long-time supporters remain emotionally cautious.
One fan summed it up perfectly:
“We’re either getting promoted… or preparing ourselves for the most dramatic 2-2 draw against Stoke you’ve ever seen.”
