Lampard Praises Character Following Draw With Norwich City

Manager Frank Lampard praised his side’s character in the final 20 minutes of the 1-1 draw against Norwich City tonight.

His side battled back from a goal down to equalise in the final few minutes, and they even had chances to win the game.

Timm Klose headed Norwich ahead on 69 minutes, however, Derby reacted well to going a goal down and forced an equaliser on 86 minutes from the knee of Bryson.

That was his first goal since August 2017, and in the final stages there was only one side who looked threatening, however, they just ran out of time.

“It was a great finish from the team and from Craig Bryson,” Lampard told RamsTV. “If anyone deserves that goal, he did, for effort and performance, alongside others. It was a tough game for us against a team who are in good form.

“They have won four games in a row for a reason so we knew we had a tough battle and they gave us that. The way we finished the game we could have gone on to win it. I loved the character of the final 20 minutes.

“Norwich are comfortable on the ball and they know what we want to press and try and win it back at home but they were confident enough to come and play. They had their moments and so did we late in the game.

“Mason Mount had a chance and their goalkeeper pulled off a good save, Jack Marriott had a chance but I can’t complain. It’s a tough night for us, there was a lot of good things but we can be better on some of the details for sure but lots of good things. I’m pleased that the fans can go away having seen a team that showed character until the end.

“We all want to win, we’re here to win. I was disappointed with Bolton because we had a lot of control of that game but didn’t get anything, but this one isn’t. There is a lot to take from it. It’s a point at home but it’s against a good team and character is huge and you need that in a good team.”

Lampard made one change from Saturday’s starting 11 as Scott Malone replaced Craig Forsyth. The full back put in a man of the match display.

“Scott was great,” admitted Lampard. “It’s not easy to come in when he’s not played for a few games because we had a settled team but Scott came in and gave everything. He had pace, energy to step forward and be involved. It was good from Scott and we’ll see more of that from him.”

It’s another quick turnaround now as Lampard takes his Derby County side to Loftus Road on Saturday.

“That’s the nature of the Championship,” he said. “They played last night so we have less recovery but we go there, going into the international break, and it’s important for us to go there and try to win.”