Manager Frank Lampard believes his Derby County side are a stronger outfit to the one which faced Leeds United at the start of the season as the teams prepare to face each other again at Elland Road on Friday.


Since Leeds ran out 4-1 winners at Pride Park Stadium in August, the Rams have hit their stride and sit in the Sky Bet Championship play-off spots - and eight points off Marcelo Bielsa’s table-toppers.

However, despite sitting amongst the top six, Lampard insists his side are still a work-in-progress.

“Our team has evolved a lot,” he told RamsTV. “I’m not sure about theirs. They may have made a few changes but they were quite an established team, albeit with a new manager.

“I think they had one new signing in their side against us whilst we had six players who weren’t here last season so it was an obvious transition for us. It is a nice excuse for us looking back as to why we lost the game but that’s not the truth.

“I do think we have come on, and we have worked hard to do that. We have changed a bit; our style of play, slightly, and our personnel, definitely, so let’s try and show that we are a different team to the one that lost 4-1 in the second game of the season.”

Leeds have been impressive so far this season.

They have found ways to win games, notably against Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers when coming back from 2-0 down to win 3-2.

However, they have suffered three defeats on the bounce in all competitions.

Defeats against Hull City and Nottingham Forest in the league were followed by a defeat against Queens Park Rangers in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round.

Lampard doesn’t believe that will have a bearing on Friday’s game.

“The league doesn’t lie and they are there on merit,” said Lampard.

“Every team in this league will lose games, whether it be one or two on the bounce. I know the third defeat for them was an FA Cup game where they changed the team a lot so their focus goes completely on the league.

“We shouldn’t read too much into their defeats because they are a good side. They are a strong side, we know that. They have performed very well and we will have to be at our best.

“It will be a strong atmosphere on a Friday night at Elland Road and it’s a game with a great test for us. We have to have a desire to go there and win, that has to be our intention.

“The hostile atmosphere is something to contend with. The players should enjoy that. It can be difficult going there but it should be a challenge to overcome it and use it in your favour and turn it. We are also coming up against a really good team.

“They are a top team in the league, they have a fluid way of playing and are very good on the ball, they move the ball quickly so there are lots of things for us to contend with but we shouldn’t be shy of it. We should go there with belief, confidence in ourselves and give it our best.”

In terms of team news, Lampard confirmed that Harry Wilson remains a doubt with a minor injury but left-back Scott Malone could return after missing the Christmas period with a muscle injury.

He said: “Harry Wilson is a doubt so we are trying to get him fit. He has been training on his own and has been trying to join in with us but it’s one that we will wait until the last moment to make a clear decision because he is influential for us but other than that, we are the same.”