The 1-1 draw at Sheffield United on Saturday told the story of Derby's season in miniature: Jacob Widell Zetterstrom kept them in the game with a string of saves, Dion Sanderson collected a red card to make the next selection headache even worse, and John Eustace came away with a point that felt like a narrow escape rather than a platform to build on.

Four matches since the international break, and the Rams have managed just two draws and two defeats. The second win of the campaign remains elusive, and the table reflects the struggle: Derby sit 23rd, four points adrift of Watford in 21st and the safety that comes with it.

The back four that never was

The roots of the problem run deep. Derby have yet to field what Eustace considers anything close to his first-choice defensive unit. Matt Clarke, last season's player of the year, has not featured since picking up an injury. Derry Murkin, the preferred left-back, remains sidelined. Eiran Cashin, Sondre Langas, Charlie Taylor and Craig Forsyth are all out, each with a different expected return date.

In the opening weeks of the campaign, Eustace turned to a back four of Joe Ward, Langas, Sanderson and Ryan Hedges. When Langas lasted just 12 minutes of the QPR defeat before limping off, Ryan Nyambe stepped in, and Derby's defensive structure unravelled with him. The same four who finished that game started against Stoke and then at Bramall Lane, and while they showed marginally more composure in those two fixtures, the red card Sanderson collected in Sheffield means Eustace must reshuffle again before Saturday's trip to The Den.

Zetterstrom the one bright spot

If there is a reason for optimism in the short term, it begins in goal. Widell Zetterstrom's return against Sheffield United gave Derby a platform that the previous goalkeeper arrangement had not provided. The Swedish shot-stopper was, according to fan writer Amelia Warren writing for BBC Sport, "the main reason Derby came away with a share of the spoils." Without him, the draw likely becomes a defeat.

The signing of Jack Robinson on a three-month deal after the QPR result signals that Eustace and the club are not simply waiting for the injured players to return. But short-term recruits on brief contracts are a sticking plaster on a wound that requires surgery, and Robinson's arrival only underscores how thin the defensive options truly are.

A difficult run to January

The complexity of Derby's situation is that fixtures do not pause for a club to reassemble its best eleven. Games arrive every week regardless of who is available, and each defeat or dropped point widens the gap to safety. Four points looks manageable in October; those same four points can feel insurmountable by February if the run continues.

The genuine reason for hope is the expected timeline of returns. Most of Derby's injured defenders are targeting a comeback around Christmas, which would mean Eustace could, for the first time this season, pick from something approaching a full squad. Clarke's reading of the game and leadership at centre-back, Murkin's reliability at left-back, and Cashin's energy in midfield-to-defence transitions would all transform the unit.

Until then, Eustace must thread results together with limited material. The forthcoming match at Millwall's Den offers little comfort: a hostile away fixture that demands defensive organisation Derby cannot yet reliably produce.

The Rams' supporters understand the injury context better than most. What will test patience is whether the team can show the competitive fight that Ryambe demanded publicly earlier this season, even when the personnel fall short of what the manager wants. A Championship season without a settled back four is survivable. A Championship season without belief is not.

Frequently asked

Why is Derby County struggling in defence this season?
Derby have been hit by a severe injury crisis at the back. Matt Clarke, Derry Murkin, Eiran Cashin, Sondre Langas, Charlie Taylor and Craig Forsyth have all been unavailable, forcing John Eustace to field a makeshift back four throughout the opening weeks of the Championship season.
How long is Dion Sanderson suspended for Derby County?
Sanderson received a red card during Derby's 1-1 draw at Sheffield United. A straight red card carries a minimum three-match ban in the Championship, though the exact length depends on whether the club appeal and the FA's assessment of the offence.
When will Derby County's injured defenders return?
Most of Derby's injured defenders, including Matt Clarke and Derry Murkin, are expected to be available around Christmas. Eustace has indicated he hopes to have a much fuller squad to select from in the second half of the season.