GRINCH PERFECT GOMES GOES UP AGAINST A WALL NEIL’S MAKING A STYLE POINT WEIGH TO GO TWO-TON TETT BARNES: I’M AFTER EIGHT PARKY: WE CAN TROT UP TABLE
Sheffield Utd kick-off 3pm
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Derby
FRANK LAMPARD has warned his players they need to be “bang on it” over Christmas if they are to keep their promotion hopes on track.
Derby start the festive fixtures in fifth place with a mouthwatering trip to Bramall Lane today to face Sheffield United, one point and one place behind them.
They then have another tough trip to second-placed Norwich on Saturday before welcoming fourth-placed Middlesbrough on New Year’s Day.
Full points would see Lampard’s side in excellent position going into the second half of the season but three defeats could deal them a crippling blow, so the manager is demanding focus from his players. He said: “I was always in for training on Christmas Day as a player. It probably isn’t a bad thing to get out of the house for a little while, with all the presents and mess!
“We have to have our focus
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NEW Reading manager Jose Gomes faces a baptism of fire at Millwall this afternoon.
The 48-year-old, replacement for Paul Clement, is already talking about leading the Royals back to the Premier League.
But his team are currently much closer to League One, making the clash a huge six-pointer. Gomes (above) was also handed a warning by outgoing caretakerboss Scott Marshall about what he can expect today. Marshall said: “It’s straight into the Lions’ den. It will be a bit of an eye-opener and a huge game for Jose.”
Millwall Reading, kick-off 3pm
because we have a big game to prepare for and this is when the professionalism of the players comes into play.
“I’ve already told the lads it is about being professional. It’s the busy period of the season and you’re surrounded by people relaxing and enjoying themselves.
“We have to be bang on it, especially with the quality of opposition we’re up against.”
Lampard does not remember a Christmas without football, first through his dad at West Ham and then in his own playing career at Chelsea. He said: “I like the Christmas period and I grew up with it, both watching it and then playing in it for 20-odd years.
“I love the games around this time of year. It doesn’t stop you being with your family, either.”
Blades’ No.2 Alan Knill knows that Derby will be “a real tough one.” But he added: “They’re all big games. We have a great bunch of players and our point at Ipswich keeps us in the pack. The challenge is to stay there.”
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ALEX NEIL has told his players to forget about pretty football and concentrate on taking points over Christmas.
Preston lost at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and are just one point ahead of today’s opponents, Hull City.
And boss Neil (above) said: “For these games coming up it’s more about us trying to win than anything else. Although we want to play well and show everybody how good a team we can be, that’s more difficult when you have key individuals missing, which we have, but we will be looking to try to win.”
Preston Hull City, kick-off 3pm Norwich kick-off 3pm Nottm Forest
ALEX TETTEY celebrated 200 appearances for Norwich with a win against Blackburn on Saturday and now wants to push on for promotion.
Norwich lie second, one point off the top, as they take on Nottingham Forest at Carrow Road today.
And midfielder
Tettey (right) said:
“Everything’s going our way just now. And, touch wood, when the lows come we can get something out of those games as well.
“Everyone is in a good mood and people are happy.”
West Brom kick-off 3pm
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Wigan
HARVEY BARNES wants West Brom to keep digging out wins as they look to take their impressive run into the New Year and push the top two.
The Baggies are unbeaten in seven games and are up to third.
And as they welcome Wigan today, winger
Barnes (right) said:
“It’s massive to keep that momentum going in this league.
“We’re feeling confident because of the run, plus we got another clean sheet on Saturday at Rotherham, which is a big boost. Going forward we look dangerous all the time.”
Bolton Rotherham kick-off 3pm
v v PHIL PARKINSON reckons Bolton must use this game to claw themselves out of trouble.
The Trotters host Rotherham two points off safety after defeat at Brentford and winless since September.
Boss Parkinson
(right) feels
Wanderers were helped by Millwall and Reading losing last weekend, and said: “Everyone down the bottom got beaten and it’s almost as it was. It makes it an interesting Boxing Day fixture and we’re ready to give our all.
“It’s an exciting period to be involved in football, the games come thick and fast.”