Lampard Challenges His Players To Maintain Current Good Form

Manager Frank Lampard has challenged his players to maintain their current good form and take the Sky Bet Championship by the scruff of the neck.

The Rams have picked up an impressive 13 points from a possible 18 in the last six games which have propelled Lampard’s side to within five points of leaders Norwich City.

The Championship is regarded by many as an unpredictable league, with teams finding it difficult to find consistency.

However, the Derby manager wants his players to take advantage of their current good form.

“I want us to be at the top and that’s where we should set our standards,” he said.

“It’s not always reality but the game at the weekend was important because we weren’t at our best, but we did manage to get a result and it will be important.

“You have to win games in all sorts of ways at any level if you want to be towards the top so that was a nice hurdle for us to climb but I do want us to focus on things we could have done better because we can do more.

“The Championship throws up all sorts of results but it’s competitive this year. There isn’t a runaway team this season.

“Norwich are on a good run and are a few points clear but there are a real batch of teams who will think they are in with a chance and we are one of those.

“It just shows you the importance of not getting carried away with ourselves, taking every game as it comes and stringing a couple of results together because you can’t relax in this league. Other teams in this league are winning and we need to do the same.”