‘Our Attitude Was Spot On’

Frank Lampard has said that the attitude of his players was just what he wanted to see as Derby County cruised to a ‘professional and comfortable’ win over Oldham Athletic in the Carabao Cup.

Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount – on loan from Chelsea – grabbed the headlines with a goal in each half as the Rams secured a safe passage through to the second round of the competition, which will be made on Thursday evening.

That said, Lampard, the Derby boss, was full of praise for how his whole squad approached a game that posed a potential banana skin.

“It was professional and comfortable,” he told RamsTV.

“You have to approach these games in the right way and we did that. The attitude was spot on. The only downside we are taking away from the game was that we didn’t score more.

“We created a lot of chances and should have done better. There were also a few moments where we let them in, but that’s normal in these types of games.

“It’s not easy to have 90 minutes where you have it all your own way, but we played very well.”

Lampard made six changes to the side that faced Leeds United at the weekend and handed full debuts to new signings Florian Jozefzoon, Jack Marriott, Scott Malone and George Evans.

All four players caught the eye in a controlled display and the Rams’ manager is keen for all of his players to show the same attitude and make sure they are ready to be called upon on over the course of a busy couple of weeks leading into the first international break.

“We have bought players in, so this is going to be a bit of a work in progress and we have to give minutes to these players,” he said.

“I thought some of the players came in and did very well, so that was a great exercise for us on all fronts really.

“We’re going to need the whole squad. The players that were rested may find they are back involved at the weekend, but over the next two weeks we have got a lot of games. We’re going to need everybody.”

On top of that, there was also a debut for Jayden Bogle.

The full back, who has just turned 18-years-old, becomes the latest player to graduate from the Rams’ Academy and impressed heavily down the right flank – so much so that Lampard felt he performed as though he had far more experience behind him.

“I’m delighted for him,” he added. “He played very, very, well. It was his debut, but he played as though as he has got many, many, games under his belt.

“He was confident, defended very well and joined in when we attacked. He’s deserved that debut from the way that he has approached pre-season; he’s been very, very good.

“I will try and help bring those younger players through. We got Max Bird on to the pitch as well. I’m very pleased with both of them.”

Whilst Derby did have it largely all their own way, Scott Carson was called upon at two key moments in the game.

In the first half, with the scoreline still goalless, the Rams’ number one got a vital touch on the ball as Jonathan Benteke attempted to round him, whilst he produced a fine save at 1-0 in the second half too.

Lampard, naturally, was very pleased with his shot-stopper and said Derby were fortunate to have such a good goalkeeper.

“We’re fortunate to have Scott Carson with us,” he said. “He is a great goalkeeper and a great personality to have around the place.

“He’s very, very, professional and when he was called upon – in games like this when you’re cruising it – Scotty produced two key moments for us.

“When you walk into a club and you have got a goalkeeper of his pedigree and standing, it’s great to have.”