Derby County manager Frank Lampard believes striker Jack Marriott needs to work harder, The Derby Telegraph report.
The 2018 summer signing has been absent from Derby’s past two Championship fixtures. Instead, Martyn Waghorn has led the line for the Rams with Mason Bennett and David Nugent in reserve.
Marriott’s absence from the set-up was felt during Derby’s recent trip to Blackburn Rovers. In desperate need of a striker with clinical finishing, the Rams fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Ewood Park.
(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Many questioned why Marriott wasn’t included in the squad, and Lampard has since shared some light into the situation. Speaking to reporters, the Derby boss goes into further depth than a mere ‘tactical decision’ as was previously stated:
It’s the same for everybody in the squad. You have to work hard in training, you have to perform when you start or come on to try to get into the starting XI or the squad. We need Jack Marriott. We saw earlier in the season what he can do. He gives us a threat behind. He has to push himself every day, push himself when he comes on to make a difference.
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The highs and lows of Jack Marriott’s debut campaign with Derby County:
Marriott has had a topsy-turvy debut campaign at Pride Park since arriving for a reported initial £3 million fee last summer.
The former Peterborough United striker joined the club nursing an injury, therefore it took him a while to break through. But once he got going, he showed the Derby fans exactly what he is capable of.
Marriott scored seven goals and grabbed two assists in 10 games in all competitions between early October and early December. However, he has managed just two goals in his last 17 appearances, and none in his last 11.
The 24-year-old’s campaign is in danger of toiling off, and it comes at a time when Derby need him most.
The Rams’ playoff bid has taken a dive following their recent defeat at Blackburn. With just six games remaining, they arguably need to win five of them including the trip to top-six rivals Bristol City.
Also see: Derby County supporters react on Twitter to Craig Bryson’s display at Blackburn Rovers.
