'Becoming A Ram Was A No Brainer'

Jack Marriott says his decision to join Derby County was a “no brainer” with the attraction of working under Frank Lampard and playing in a “real footballing city” being too big of an opportunity to miss.

Having scored 33 goals last season at League One club, Peterborough United, the forward had Championship clubs in hot pursuit for his services.

However, the decision to team-up with the Rams was an easy one for Marriott who becomes Lampard’s fourth summer signing following the arrival of Harry Wilson, Mason Mount and Florian Jozefzoon last week.

In an exclusive first interview with RamsTV, Marriott explained what attracted him to Derby: “The size of the club, it is a real footballing city.

“You look at the gaffer, he is a real footballing guy, you just know about him and what he has done in the game. As soon as I heard that he wanted me then it was a no brainer for me, this is where I wanted to be.

“You look at the facilities it is just staggering. You look at the fanbase and why wouldn’t you want to come here?”

It’s been a long trip to get here, with stops up and down the country packed into Marriott’s 23 years.

He began his career at Ipswich Town and loan spells and Woking, Gillingham, Carlisle United and Colchester United followed before signing with Luton Town.

But it was last season at Peterborough where he made his mark, scoring 27 goals in Sky Bet League One, enough to earn the golden boot as well as picking up a handful of other League accolades.

Though Marriott believes there is still more to come from him.

“It was one of those that I look back now and it was all a bit of a blur because you just take it in your stride,” Marriott said.

“I just concentrate on each game as it comes, try and score and do the best for the team. Try and work hard and do all I can.

“I think that it got to a stage in my career that I had learned so much from having my loan spells and then having a permanent place in the first-team squad at Luton.

“Then I went to Peterborough and felt, not established, but that I could get to my best and I got close.”

The striker explained that he first noticed attention coming from the higher League in the January transfer window and was flattered by the attention he was getting.

He said that with the arrival of Lampard and coming off a play-off appearance, the timing to move to Derby was perfect and he is eager to be part of another promotion push.

“When you hear about a club the size of Derby being interested then you can’t help but take it as a compliment,” he said.

“With a new manager coming in and how close you have been over previous years to promotion, that’s something that you want to take in to consideration.

“You know it’s another chance to go again and get the club back to where it should be.

“I’m just excited, I can’t wait to get going. I can’t wait to be working with the manager and all the lads here, there is a great group of talented players and I think we have certainly got a chance.”

Marriott will bring to the Rams’ attack his tenacity and relentlessness to push the opposition’s defence.

“I like to get on the shoulder and I like to utilise my pace, getting behind defenders, stretch teams because that gives the midfield a chance to get up and to open up the pitch,” he added.

“I don’t like to give the defenders a minute’s peace, I like to hassle them all day and as soon as they switch off I like to be able to pounce.”