Hinchcliffe Impressed With Lampard Impact

Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe has been impressed with the way Frank Lampard has adapted to managerial life - and thinks Derby County deserve to be where they are now.

The Rams face Aston Villa in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium on Monday 27th May following a Semi-Final victory over Leeds United.

The Rams beat the Marcelo Bielsa’s men 4-3 on aggregate and have now set up a clash against Villa to battle for a place in the Premier League.

And Hinchcliffe, who played for Manchester City, Everton and Sheffield Wednesday during his playing career, believes the Rams have every right to be in the Final.

“Derby probably didn’t expect to do so well but when you have a plan in place, have a good coach and players willing to work hard, you can achieve what you deserve,” he told dcfc.co.uk.

“To put yourself in the position to get promoted is incredible, but it’s also well deserved. It’s not a surprise; it’s hard work and when opportunities come along, you have to take them.

“It is incredible how these stories come along and we have seen them with Derby and Norwich. They have achieved good things by having good coaches, a good philosophy and consistency.

“Frank, with his playing career, has been incredible but management is a totally different ball game. To achieve what he has done this season is truly remarkable but that’s down to his talent and the players tapping into what he is looking for as a coach.”