Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , former Derby County star Jeff Hendrick has reflected fondly on the happiest spell of his career at Pride Park .
Hendrick has described his eight years at Derby as magical, crediting Nigel Clough for his first-team chance, while urging patience over a return to the Premier League .
The former midfielder has also backed John Eustace to turn things around despite a tricky fanbase, and hailed Will Smallbone as too good for League One at a struggling Leicester City .
Derby County
Where Does Your Derby Spell Rank in Your Career?
I have amazing memories of Derby . For me, it's a big part of my life. Moving over at fifteen, sixteen, knowing that's the club I'm going to be at for a little while, and they gave me the chance. Obviously, Nigel Clough gave me the chance to play in the first team, and I had to grab it with two hands and stay in the team.
But for what we've done over those eight years, the team we had, the relationship with the players, with the fans, it was magical. Whenever anyone mentions Derby to me, it makes me smile because of some great memories. Obviously, a couple of bad ones as well; unfortunately, we were so close at times.
But that sort of bond you have when you're there for eight years with the players, with the fans, and with the staff in and around the training ground, you get to know them; they saw me grow up from being a little kid to being a man and playing. So yeah, it was magical.
How Much Would You Love to See Them Back in the Premier League?
You've got to think where they were a few years ago when they went down from the Championship with the points deduction and financial troubles, and then in League One for a little bit to get back up. They're still in trouble in the Championship , but then got safe. I think you don't want to go up to the Premier League too early.
They need to secure themselves and be known, as when I was there, as a really good Championship team, and then you can maybe have a go at knocking on the door of the Premier League . I think you're more secure and stable if you do it that way. So yeah, there's still a bit of time before they're ready to go back to the Premier League , unfortunately.
Can John Eustace Turn Things Around at Derby?
John Eustace has got credit in the bank. I know the fans there can be tricky; the fans want to be in the Premier League . They want to be minimum top half of the Championship . So he has credit in the bank, but he needs to turn it pretty quick because I love the fans; they're great, but they can turn.
You don't want that in the stadium as a player when they've turned. I remember being booed in the first game of the season because we were drawing with Brighton . It can change, so he needs to pick up points and get into that top half of the table.
Leicester City
How Good a Signing Could Will Smallbone Be For Leicester?
It's been a very tough start. It's crazy to think where Leicester are and how much they're struggling still under Russell Martin . I have played against his teams, and he likes to play lovely football. Will Smallbone is a very, very good signing. I've seen him when he broke into the Ireland setup, and I really like him as a player. He's got an engine, he's got really good technique, and his game understanding is good.
He's too good to be playing in League One . But will he show that going into a team that's struggling? It's going to be tough. The manager knows him. I'm hoping he can turn it around, not just for the club, but for himself. Like I said, I think he's a lovely lad, I think he's a great player, and I want to see him rebuild his career a little bit. He should be in a top Championship team, I think.
Match Predictions
What Are Your Score Predictions?
Coventry vs Newcastle ? It's an interesting one because obviously Coventry have got points on the board now, but the way they're playing, I think it might suit Newcastle . Newcastle are very solid, and they like the break and the pace. Then again, I do actually like the way Coventry play as well. So I'm going to go for a draw, 1-1.
Watford vs Burnley ? Just because of my emotions, I'll go for a Burnley 1-0 win. Jamie Vardy , hopefully. Derby vs Wrexham ? Both need a win, don't they? It's tricky. I'll go for a Derby win, two-nil. I think they need to win for the fans, for the manager, for everything. Hopefully, the atmosphere is flying, and the fans sort of carry them through it a little bit.
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