Derby County make the trip to Ipswich Town on Saturday, as both teams search for their first win in the Championship in 2025/26.
A late Carlton Morris equaliser saw the Rams earn their first point of the season last weekend, drawing 1-1 at home to Bristol City. However, they face a Kieran McKenna team who are still getting to grips with the second tier following relegation.
While performances have not been overly impressive from the East Midlands outfit so far, they looked much stronger against Burnley in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening, although John Eustace was frustrated with the defending for the Clarets’ late winner.
Nevertheless, there was one obvious bright spark in the starting XI for Derby, and he has the potential to become a star at Pride Park while on loan – just like Mason Mount did in 2018/19.
Bobby Clark can be a gamechanger for Derby County and John Eustace
Despite going 1-0 down early on against Burnley, the Rams battled back at Turf Moor and were the better team throughout the first half.
Bobby Clark of Derby is challenged by Ross McCrorie of Bristol City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Bristol City
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Therefore, when Bobby Clark ran onto the end of a teasing Callum Elder pass and dispatched the ball into the back of the net, there were perhaps no complaints from the home side.
Yet, for Derby, it was the first real signs this season of what their new loanee can do, after Clark rejected a move to the Premier League in favour of the switch to Pride Park.
He looked bright against Burnley, and he is showing signs that he is getting back to full fitness. The next step for the 20-year-old is to show consistency, but Rams supporters will already be seeing similarities between the young midfielder and another star loanee from the past.
Bobby Clark may remind Rams fans of Mason Mount
It’s been seven years since Mason Mount joined Derby on loan, with Frank Lampard calling the signing ‘a massive coup’.
The current Coventry City boss was right, and the midfielder had an excellent season at Pride Park, scoring 11 goals and registering six assists in 44 games for the Rams in all competitions.
Mason Mount playing for Derby County during Aston Villa v Derby County - Sky Bet Championship Play-off Final
Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse /Getty Images
Without Mount, Derby would have struggled to finish in the play-offs, and while a top six finish is not exactly on the cards this season, Clark could have a similar impact if given the opportunity to shine by Eustace.
It is obvious to see how forward-thinking the 20-year-old is and this could be a huge season for him as he looks to put a difficult year with RB Salzburg behind him.