Club ambassador and former Derby County defender Marc Edworthy has praised Tom Lawrence’s impressive displays in recent weeks.
The 26-year-old, who has scored two goals in his latest three games, has played an important role in Derby’s rise up the Sky Bet Championship table in recent months.
Wales international forward Lawrence has made 31 appearances in all competitions for Phillip Cocu’s side this season and scored seven times.
Those seven strikes, including a stunner from distance in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at home to Huddersfield Town, have equalled his best-ever return in front of goal for Derby since his arrival form Leicester City in August 2017.
Edworthy, who made 85 appearances for Derby between 2005-2008 and helped the club win promotion to the Premier League during the 2006/07 campaign, believes Lawrence should be commended for his displays.
Speaking on RamsTV’s latest instalment of the Derby County Show, Edworthy said: “Tom is in great form and is a real danger in and around the penalty area.
“Tom sets his standards so high and he is performing with real confidence.
“His strikes are deliveries are very good and people will always judge him on the ball, but off the ball too he puts a real shift in.
“Credit to him, he’s in such good form and I am sure he will go on to achieve his best-ever return in terms of goals for the club this season. Fingers crossed that he can finish the season really strongly.”
He added: “I think Wayne Rooney’s arrival has helped Tom too and it has allowed him to get forward with the way he plays and organises players around him.”
Six of his seven goals so far this season have come from outside the penalty area, while he has also weighed in with three direct assists.
His goal against Huddersfield was arguably his best of the season to date, although he did also net an equally impressive strike in the 3-2 win at Swansea City just under a fortnight ago.
“Tom’s goal against Huddersfield was one straight off the training ground,” Edworthy said.
“When he was lining it up to shoot, I did think he was too far out. It was a wonderful strike.
“He’s in great form and when he’s hitting them like he has been lately, no goalkeeper is saving that.
“His goal at Swansea recently was fantastic as well and he’s playing an important role at the moment. With the confidence he’s in, he caught the ball well and it flew into the top corner.”
Lawrence has made 114 appearances for Derby since his arrival early in the 2017/18 campaign across all competitions, scoring 20 times.
