LAMPARD’S MISSION IS NO CHOKE..

Derby v Millwall kick-off 7.45pm

FRANK LAMPARD has banned all references to Derby being play-off bottlers.

The Rams boss (above) is fed-up of the club’s reputation for being end-ofseason chokers.

Seventh-placed Derby entertain Millwall with a packed Pride Park hoping and praying Lampard’s men can hold their nerve on the run-in.

They have reached the play-offs three times in the last five years, famously missing out on a Premier League spot in 2014 when 10-man QPR sank them with a 90th-minute Bobby Zamora winner at Wembley.

In 2015 they needed a draw at home to Reading in the last game of the regular season to confirm a top-six place, only to lose 3-0.

Lampard has only been at Derby for seven months but admits the thorny subject was one which reared its head virtually as he came through the door.

He said: “Somebody mentioned it the first day I came here.

“I thought it was strange that there we were in July and yet someone was talking about February.

“I wasn’t here then. I don’t care. It’s not my concern. I get it – I’m not stupid – but we don’t have to look back on those things.”

Anyone found talking about it might just get a dressing down from the ambitious rookie boss.

Lampard added: “I have no thoughts of bad months. I’ve banished all talk of that. I don’t like the talk – I just don’t like it.

“I don’t like any month being seen as having a slight curse. I just don’t entertain it. It’s not the most positive thing to have hanging around.

“We have 15 games left and we need to tackle them head on.”