Derby County vs Norwich City - Lampard warns of Norwich test

Posted Tuesday, October 02, 2018 by PA

Frank Lampard thinks his Derby side will have to be at their best against a resurgent Norwich team at Pride Park on Wednesday night.

The Canaries have soared into the Championship play-off places, and above the Rams, after a four-match winning run and they are undefeated in five league games.

Derby disposed of another top-six rival in the shape of Brentford in their last home fixture before then defeating Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup.

Lampard believes the Rams will have to produce the same level of performance if they are to return to winning ways against Norwich, having lost at Bolton on Saturday and slipped out of the top six.

“Norwich are in great form. Winning games, jumping up the table and they will come here confident – just like Brentford did,” the Derby boss said at his pre-match press conference.

“So it is up to us. If we are at it and we bring that energy and quality to the table we will back ourselves. We have a huge test – in-form team, good players, good manager, who want to play good football.”

Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray hopes his side can begin turning draws into wins, starting with Sheffield United’s visit to Ewood Park.

Rovers have drawn four of their opening five home matches and six of their first 10 in the league, losing only once since being promoted from League One.

“It’s not as if we have major issues, I don’t think. The lads are working their socks off, so hopefully it will turn for us soon,” Mowbray told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

Millwall are struggling and without a win in seven league games and Lions boss Neil Harris thinks his team must contain in-form striker Lewis Grabban when they travel to Nottingham Forest.

Grabban made it four goals in as many matches with his double at Blackburn at the weekend and Harris told the club’s official website: “He is a super player at this level and one we will need to shackle.”

Bristol City defender Zak Vyner is currently on loan at Rotherham and is ineligible against his parent club on Wednesday night, leaving Millers manager Paul Warne very short at the back with Sean Raggett and Clark Robertson already out through injury.

“I have got no centre-halves as Zak can’t play so that is a bit of a problem,” admitted Warne in his pre-match press conference.

Bakary Sako will hope to make his West Brom debut against Sheffield Wednesday after signing for the Baggies this week.