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Rowett has moved back into media work this season, having finished last term as interim Birmingham City boss – a stint that ended in relegation from the Championship.
His four-year tenure as Millwall manager had been brought to an end earlier that season.
It was in the early months of the campaign that he noticed a shift in the approach to the game at that level, with a focus on
Derby’s third home win out of three this season was as much down to their tactical nous as their ruthless attacking.
Boss Paul Warne has said his side are not “Championship ready”, but while they may struggle to compete in terms of finances and experience, their energy and organisation once again stood out.
City were on top early on and had the better chances, notably Armstrong, who was twice denied
After Gueye had a strike saved by Josh Vickers, having been set up by Hedges, Derby suddenly began to assert themselves, enjoying much more possession and managing to put Rovers on the back foot.
Blackburn boss Eustace responded by sending on Szmodics, who did not feature during pre-season and is wanted by Ipswich Town.
It did not halt Derby’s momentum and they equalised a couple of minutes after the substitution.
Lifelong Derby fan Clowes stressed that any considerations about new investment do not signal an intention to relinquish his control of the club, despite again admitting he was a “reluctant” buyer in the first instance.
“I want to be in it [the club] long-term, for sure,” Clowes said.
“We have a plan for this football club, to build it up and get it back to where it should be. But
Hourihane has previously spoken about how he is “no longer scared” of retiring as a player after moving into coaching in recent years.
“I’m delighted with what I’ve done in my playing career and hopefully I can get a little bit of success in the next chapter as well,” he said.
Following Derby’s promotion back to the Championship, a division the club plummeted from while in administration in 2022, Hourihane