3/1 To Win
Manager Frank Lampard praised Derby County’s never-say-die attitude following the dramatic 2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers.
The Rams huffed and puffed throughout the 90 minutes and were left frustrated as chances seemed to pass them by at Pride Pakr Stadium.
However, the Derby supporters were buoyed as nine minutes of additional time were indicated by the fourth official.
The Rams piled forward and were awarded a penalty in the 93rd minute as Jayden Bogle was fouled inside the box and Harry Wilson to give the Rams the lead.
In the 101st minute, with QPR throwing men forward in a bid to get something from the game, Jack Marriott squared for Wilson who netted his second of the afternoon to ensure the Rams recorded a valuable three points.
It was an emotional afternoon for Lampard who was visibly pleased at full-time as he clapped all four sides of the stadium.
“My nerves were the same as the whole stadium, because that was touch and go,” he admitted in his post-match interview with RamsTV.
“It was a mixed game with some good stuff and I think we should probably been in the lead when you look at some of the chances; Mason Mount’s particularly in the second half when he hit the post.
“Credit to the lads, we can’t win 6-1 or 4-0 every week and we can’t play the really, really good football that we have been playing always - it doesn’t work that way.
“When it doesn’t, you have to fight right until the end. They did that, all of them and I am really proud of them. The substitutes that came on made a difference.
“Some parts of our game weren’t spot on today, in terms of stopping counter-attacks we were off it, where we have been good lately, but they are a decent team and they are going to give you threats.
“They have got two front men up top who have played in the Premier League. We got away with a few bits today because we weren’t perfect, but sometimes you make your own luck and we did today.”
Wilson’s two goals this afternoon took him to 16 for the campaign and Lampard heaped praise on the on-loan Liverpool man.
“I like that about Harry, that he has got confidence,” he said. “That’s not just about confidence, that is a moment where some people just won’t fancy it and he was calm and he was cool and he finished it.
“We were all nervous in the stadium so the taker, I have been there may a times, it’s not an easy moment so fair play that he kept his head.”
There is a real togetherness in the dressing room and their never-say-die attitude pleases the manager.
“That is within this team,” Lampard commented. “That’s on the pitch in Richard Keogh, Bradley Johnson and David Nugent when he comes on, it's all of the lads.
“Only with that attitude through the team can we achieve anything. We are fighting to get in the play-offs, it’s going to be a tough run and we are by no means there. We have got three difficult games that are pivotal to it. Today, we gave ourselves a chance.”
