Players Must 'Remain Strong As A Group' States Lampard

Manager Frank Lampard has challenged his players to remain strong as a group as he takes his Derby County side to Villa Park on Saturday to face Aston Villa.

Despite only picking up one point from their last three Sky Bet Championship fixtures, the Rams still sit two points outside the play-off places with 13 games left to play.

To climb the Sky Bet Championship table and back into the top six, Lampard has inisted the Rams will need to stick together and work together to fight for every point.

“I have confidence in the squad and even though we are at a moment where we haven’t got as many points as we would have liked in the last few games, it doesn’t change the fact that if you are in form that is not quite as it was, certainly from the really good performances we have put in in big parts of the season, we have to work our way out of it,” he told RamsTV.

“Sometimes you get lots of challenges at one time and that’s the time you have to be the most resilient and strong as a group to get through it.

"We can’t dwell on the excuses – we say them, they are out there but, in the performance, and how we train, we have to stay at the top.”

Aston Villa have struggled for consistent form ahead of the game and have not won in their last five fixtures.

They sit 13th in the Championship table but Lampard knows that counts for little if his Derby side are not on their game.

“This game is a big danger for us,” he said. “Forget our position, this Aston Villa team is a really good team and don’t look anywhere near out of form.

“I remember how they played at Pride Park in November when they were 3-0 winners. I know the quality of their players and I know what they are trying to do there. It is a really tough game regardless of position.”

March is another big month for the Rams on the pitch.

Following the game against Dean Smith’s side on Saturday, they face four home fixtures in a row which offers a chance to pick up some valuable points.

“We have to take every game as it comes as the most important thing that is in front of us. The four home games are a big test,” Lampard commented.

“It’s a test because the squad has got some injuries, but it is a challenge that we have to overcome because we are still in a decent position. The negativity can sometimes cloud the fact that we are two points off the play-off places, so we have to stay positive.

“We have to work hard and we have to keep context as players.”