Lampard urges Derby not to ‘go crazy’ v Leeds, comments on Elland Road pressure

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Leeds United host Derby County on Wednesday night.

Derby County boss Frank Lampard has told Derbyshire Live that he doesn’t think his side have to ‘go crazy’ against Leeds United on Wednesday night.

The Rams hosted Leeds on Saturday evening in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final, and couldn’t gain any home advantage.

Derby were beaten 1-0, as Kemar Roofe’s second half goal gave Leeds the victory, and ultimately the advantage from the first leg of their tie.

Derby were gutted to see a strong penalty shout overturned, and Lampard must now get his players back up for Wednesday’s clash.

The Rams will need to upset the odds to make it through to the final at Wembley Stadium, and Lampard has been discussing his thoughts ahead of the game.

Lampard feels his players don’t need to ‘go crazy’ chasing the game tomorrow night, as Derby are just 1-0 down at half time essentially, and believes his players have shown a number of times that they can battle back.

Lampard added that he wants his players to be confident, believing young players will have to deal with the pressure of the Elland Road crowd, and ultimately continue to play in the way that got them to the play-offs in the first place.

“We just have to worry about ourselves,” said Lampard. “I don’t think we have to go crazy. It is half-time in a game where we are 1-0 down. I know this year, pretty much more than any team we are a team that has come back from negative results and turned them around to positives. This will be our biggest test yet on that front.”

“I want the lads to apply themselves as they have been doing recently, because I cannot complain about anything. If we can change those small details on the ball, and we have to be a bit more composed. We have some young players and they have to accept the pressure of what Elland Road will bring, and be confident, because I will back them. I want them to play football. I want them to give everything so they come off the pitch win, lose or draw and say they gave everything,” he added.