Derby County, Middlesbrough and Bristol City are in the race for the play-offs.
Derby County boss Frank Lampard admits he told his players how Championship rivals Middlesbrough and Bristol City were losing in a bid to inspire his side to victory over Queens Park Rangers, Dcfc.co.uk reports.
“I knew the other results [Middlesbrough and Bristol City] around us, and I don’t like to talk about that. but I mentioned them to the players to say, ‘How much do we want to come sixth by the end of play?’ Lampard explained.
“The urgency was a thing lacking. Urgency in the passing. I thought we were slightly off first half but better second half and we ended up winning the game.”
The Rams struggled to get going against a stubborn QPR side who came to Pride Park looking to frustrate the hosts by defending deep, taking their time and using the space on the counterattack.
With Boro and Bristol City both losing at Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday respectively, the opportunity for Derby to claw themselves back into the top six presented itself from the second half onward.
But even still, some could argue Derby were fortunate as QPR looked dangerous late on and the hosts looked to be running out of ideas until they were awarded a penalty in the fourth minute of nine added on.
Harry Wilson stepped up and coolly slotted low to the goalkeeper’s right, and then he added another with the last kick of the game following a pass from Jack Marriott when through on goal.
The victory pushes Derby up to sixth as they leapfrogged Middlesbrough and Bristol City. Next weekend the Rams travel to Ashton Gate to take on the Robins in a game Boro will be hoping finishes as a draw.
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