Cook heaps praise on Lampard and Derby County

Posted on January 3, 2019 in Wigan News

Wigan Athletic manager Paul Cook has heaped praise on Derby County manager Frank Lampard and spoke about the quality of the team whom they are scheduled to host in the Championship this weekend. The Latics are currently lying in a mid-table position but they still possess the joint-strongest home record in the division with 21 points gained this season.

Despite this, Cook has acknowledged that the Latics have a test of their hands this weekend with Derby excelling with a number of impressive displays including the shock League Cup third round triumph over Manchester United on the road, he told Wigan’s official website: “He needs to stop going to places like Manchester United and winning, doesn’t he.

“He’s embraced the job fantastically well and has managed to bring a support staff in that he knows and trusts and within that they’ve got a style of play which, for me, is very good. We’re playing a top quality team and Frank’s adapting to management so well and conducts himself as he has done throughout his career with total class. We are relishing the game though and have got a good record at the DW Stadium, I’m sure we’ll be in for a good game.”

Wigan picked up regular wins during the opening months of the Championship campaign and there was one point where they were lying third in the standings. However, their form has since nosedived and though, they have remained unbeaten for the past three matches, a nine-point gap has been created between them and the top six.

On the contrary, Derby have been fiddling in and around the playoff positions and they are currently just outside the top six with Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United ahead of them with a better goal difference. The Rams come into the weekend fixture on the back of a 2-1 victory over Swansea City. Harry Wilson netted both goals for the Rams during the first period.