Frank Lampard has called for an immediate reaction to Derby County’s Boxing Day loss at Sheffield United when they head to high-flying Norwich City on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).
Lampard’s side were beaten 3-1 at Bramall Lane as they tasted defeat for just the seventh time in 24 Sky Bet Championship fixtures this term.
As is the case in the Championship, and in particular over the festive period, the opportunity to bounce back comes around very quickly.
The clash at Carrow Road will provide another intriguing top-of-the-table clash, with Derby sitting sixth and Norwich occupying second place.
The Rams’ players were back on the training ground on Thursday and Friday preparing for the long trip to Carrow Road and Lampard wants a quickfire response against the Canaries.
He said: “We have to recover and be ready to go again and the players have to feel the reaction that I want from them.
“They’re a good bunch, as we’ve seen this season so far, and it’s important that we react.
“We’ve done it after defeats so far over the course of the campaign and it’s down to us to go and do it again at Carrow Road.”
Derby and Norwich played out a 1-1 draw at Pride Park Stadium back in October.
Craig Bryson equalised late on for the Rams after Tim Klose had headed the visitors into the lead midway through the second half.
Lampard says the Canaries are worthy of their position in the table just after the halfway point of the season and knows his side will have to be on top form against them.
He said: “We know they’re a very good team and they deserve to be where they are at this stage.
“They are a good side and they played well against us at Pride Park back in October.
“It was a very close game and we know we’ll have to be on top form against them.”
