Dion Sanderson led Derby County’s defence to a clean sheet in their victory over Birmingham City.
Dion Sanderson helped Derby County defeat his previous side Birmingham City over the weekend and led the Rams’ celebrations.
The former Blues skipper was upbeat following Derby’s 1-0 victory, which kept their play-off hopes alive.
Blues’ interest in the top six ended at Pride Park, and an inquest will be held at the end of the season as they failed to mount a genuine challenge for promotion.
Sanderson was one of the players Chris Davies judged surplus to requirements last year, and Derby were able to get him on the cheap in January.
The 26-year-old did not shine brightly during the 2023/24 season, when the Blues were relegated, and although being granted a reprieve by Davies, Sanderson swiftly lost his spot in League One and the manager’s trust.
A stunning error in the Blues’ 1-1 draw with Northampton Town in November 2024 proved to be the final straw for Davies,
and Sanderson was released in January. Sanderson was barred from participating in the first team’s pre-season when he returned to Blues from a loan spell at Blackburn Rovers.
John Eustace stepped in to sign Sanderson for a fourth Championship club, and he was able to squeeze a song out of him.
Sanderson has started 33 of the Rams’ 39 league games this season, which places them fifth.
“Dion in my opinion is a top character, a top person and he needs people to believe in him,” Eustace told me.
“Whereas some may believe he isn’t great with the ball, his performances this season have been excellent, and it’s all about winning games, keeping clean sheets, and creating unity in the dressing room, and he checks all of those boxes.”
“Before you get carried away about wanting to play certain ways and bringing in top players, it’s about winning and over the course of the game Dion Sanderson certainly won’t let you down and that’s why we signed him.”
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