SM
Thursday, November 7
Upcoming predictions and previews
DL
Championship Playoffs | Semi-Finals
May 11, 2019 at 5.15pm UK
 
LL

0-1

 
FT(HT: 0-0)
Roofe (55')

Frank Lampard: 'Spygate doesn't matter ahead of Derby clash'

:Headline: Frank Lampard: 'Spygate doesn't matter ahead of Derby clash': ID:358746: from db_amp
Leeds were fined £200,000 for breaching the EFL's code of conduct by observing Derby in training.

Derby boss Frank Lampard has "no axe to grind" over the 'Spygate' incident involving Leeds.

Leeds were fined £200,000 for breaching the EFL's code of conduct when they sent a member of staff to watch a Derby training session before a Sky Bet Championship match between the two clubs in January.

The Rams lost the subsequent game 2-0 but Lampard insists the controversy had no effect on the outcome.

Ahead of Saturday's play-off semi-final first leg at Pride Park, the former England midfielder said at a press conference: "It (Spygate) doesn't matter at all going into this game for us.

"It doesn't affect how we prepare and how we go up against Leeds.

"This is football, football will always throw up different things in different forms, they're part of the experience.

"That's why I think I've got no axe to grind with it now because I think whatever team progresses through this game after two legs deserves to be there no matter what.

"I said at Elland Road when they beat us that it had no bearing on the result because we got beaten by a better team. It will have no bearing (on this game)."

Lampard wants his Rams to embrace the challenge of being underdogs against Leeds, despite their recent form.

Leeds head into the play-offs having lost three of their last four games while Derby have been beaten just once in their last 12 matches, but the 40-year-old reiterated his belief that Marcelo Bielsa's men are favourites.

"I think we're underdogs, that's a challenge that we'll have to accept and take on," he said.

"I do (think we're underdogs) in the case that we finished behind Leeds for a reason. They beat us twice."

The Rams boss, whose side finished sixth in the Championship, nine points behind third-placed Leeds added: "We have to focus and we have to prepare.

"We focus on ourselves, we mustn't forget the fact they beat us twice, we mustn't forget the fact that they finished points above us in the league.

"I respect them hugely and we still prepare as we would for any team. We focus on ourselves and that's what we do and we'll be ready."

Martyn Waghorn and Duane Holmes are both doubtful for the first leg, while defender Richard Keogh is expected to play despite a minor groin strain.

Ashley Cole is not expected to return in time for the game at Pride Park but could be back for the return fixture.

amp_article__358746 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-05-10 06:29:33:
html db last update - 2019-05-10 06:29:33 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Frank Lampard

Click here for more stories about Leeds United

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland149322391430
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd149321871128
3Leeds UnitedLeeds147522291326
4Burnley146621761124
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom14572148622
6Millwall146441712522
7Watford147162222022
8Middlesbrough146351816221
9Swansea CitySwansea14545119219
10Blackburn RoversBlackburn145451616019
11Bristol City144731819-119
12Norwich CityNorwich144642320318
13Derby CountyDerby145361818018
14Stoke CityStoke145361718-118
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds145361724-718
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd144551717017
17Coventry CityCoventry144371819-115
18Hull City143651518-315
19Luton TownLuton144371621-515
20Preston North EndPreston143651420-615
21Cardiff CityCardiff144371320-715
22Plymouth ArgylePlymouth144371425-1115
23Queens Park RangersQPR141761223-1110
24Portsmouth141671327-149
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .