Lamps: Playing long balls means no balls

FRANK LAMPARD had no regrets about sticking to his passing principles despite Derby failing to overcome Bristol City.

The former England midfielder pointed out “you need balls” to keep playing and not whack it long when the going gets tough.

City often resorted to defending in numbers, with the home crowd at times frustrated by their team’s struggles.

The Rams just could not dig out the win and are now six points behind second-placed Leeds, who have a game in hand.

“I wanted them to keep to our principles and they did,” said boss Lampard (right). “When teams camp 10 men behind the ball, I won’t be telling players to go long and direct.

“We’re not playing for sake of it, we’re trying to move the ball to win games. You need balls as a player to keep trying to move the ball. As a club, we have to be together.”

Derby’s Florian Jozefzoon had two shots blocked early on.

But it was City who drew first blood from a blunder by Richard Keogh. The Derby defender misdirected a header attempting to deal with Marlon Pack’s hopeful ball forward and Jamie Paterson pounced to chip keeper Scott Carson.

Derby should quickly have levelled but David Nugent somehow headed over after a cross by classy Harry Wilson. Nugent was playing despite breaking a bone in a hand in training on Thursday, so perhaps could be cut some slack. The Robins went close to doubling their lead when Famara Diedhiou’s shot hit the bar. On 37 minutes Derby were level, Mason Mount’s cross being dispatched with an eye-catching flick by Martyn Waghorn. It was the first time he had scored at Pride Park for Derby, a fine response to being left out of the squad by Lampard in the previous game.

“He was still in my plans, big time,” said Lampard, who signed Waghorn from Ipswich in August. “I was delighted with his desire and touches here.”

Carson came to Derby’s rescue at the death, denying Diedhiou in spectacular fashion.

City boss Lee Johnson admitted: “It was a really hardfought point.

“But part of me is disappointed we haven’t nicked it. It was an unbelievable save from Carson at the end.”