“Everyone Must Remain Positive”

Manager Frank Lampard is calling for positivity following the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Semi-Final First-Leg game against Leeds United.

A single goal from Leeds striker Kemar Roofe in the second half ensured the Whites have a 1-0 advantage going into the Second Leg at Elland Road on Wednesday evening.

However, Lampard was keen to stress that the tie is not over and the Rams will continue to fight.

“We have to be positive now,” he told RamsTV. “This game is not over. We are disappointed because we know we can do better here today but this is football.

“It doesn’t go your way all the time, the play-offs are difficult games, we saw that in the game earlier. West Brom were winning, the game turns on an incident. We have to have belief.”

There were some contentious decisions in the game, one being the penalty incident, which was overturned.

Harry Wilson played the ball through to Jayden Bogle who went over in the penalty area and the referee, Craig Pawson, pointed to the penalty spot.

However, after consultation with his linesman, the referee overturned his decision, one that left the manager frustrated.

Despite this, Lampard felt his side need to improve going into the Second Leg.

“We need to be better on the ball,” he admitted. “The worry today for me was we are young team, and this is their first season in this league, a first competitive season for some of our players, and this is a pressure game.

“We weren’t as good on the ball as we could be and we need to be better on the ball on Wednesday.”

The Rams have four days to prepare for that clash at Elland Road and the manager knows the players will be ready going into that game.

“The players need to rest,” he said. “It’s a taxing game and it always is against Leeds. We will get back in on Monday and then we will prepare.

“There will not be much physical work in the meantime but we have to look at bits what we can do better that we didn’t do today, as well we should, but be positive.

“This season we have got into the play-offs with a late strong run. We have played some good football in patches and we have to be positive that we have the opportunity still to do something special.

“Everyone must remain positive. At times in the game where it got difficult, there was a slightly negative feel.

“We have to be positive because these games are not easy and the play-offs are difficult. The lads are giving everything and will do on Wednesday.”