Derby County manager Frank Lampard felt that a crucial half-time team talk inspired his side to a 3-1 victory over Birmingham City.
He got his message across to his players clearly and worked his magic, as second-half strikes from Mason Bennett, Harry Wilson and Jack Marriott helped Derby to victory.
The Rams had to avenge themselves after falling behind to an early goal from Lukas Jutkiewicz, as they earned their third win in the space of four matches.
Home manager Lampard said this his half-time team talk proved to be vital and that it was important to inspire his side.
“There are moments where you feel you have to do your job and my job was to try and get the right message across”, said Lampard.
“However, as much as you go and do that, ultimately it’s up to the players to do it.
“There wasn’t extraordinary detail in what I said, it was a few basic messages and more urgency, which is the easiest thing to say to players.”
Lampard gave a first start to Duane Holmes who arrived from Sky Bet League One side Scunthorpe United over the summer and has found opportunities few and far between since arriving.
Holmes was named as the home side’s man of the match, and Lampard said that the American did well to make the most of opportunity he received.
He added: “He’s been really impressive. It’s been difficult for Duane, we have been set in midfield a lot with Mason Mount, Craig Bryson and Harry Wilson in the last few games.
“He’s had to be patient; his training has improved. He has shown [that] in the last few weeks, he’s been really good.
“He is so hungry as a player and I wasn’t scared to put him in at all, far from it and I thought he was crucial for the win. His injection of pace from midfield in the second half opened things up a lot.”
By Matt Iles at Pride Park, and Jonty Colman
