West Brom v Derby County preview: Darren Moore sees kindred spirit in Frank Lampard
Darren Moore held his hands up and admitted with a smile that Frank Lampard probably had more ‘finesse’ than him as a player.
But Albion’s head coach believes he does have plenty in common with his former holiday companion in the dug-out.
The two fledgling managers meet at The Hawthorns tonight when Moore takes on his former club Derby County.
The pair know each other, having spent time together at the same holiday destination in Spain as players.
Several years later Moore sees plenty of similarities with his opposite number.
“We’re two younger managers in the game,” he said. “Two guys who have taken two Midlands clubs with our first managerial jobs. We’re both playing an attacking brand of football.”
Moore came up against Lampard several times as a player, and acknowledged similarities were slim during those days.
“Frank had a little bit more finesse than me!” he joked. “I think he’d agree with that. He was a very good player.
“I remember him scoring against us at Stamford Bridge. I also played against him when he was at West Ham so I saw him develop.
“We were in the same holiday destination in Spain once. As good a player on the pitch, he’s equally an honourable man off the pitch.
“We got on really well. I’ve got the utmost respect for Frank. It was some years ago but it was lovely, him and his family are very nice.”
At that stage, neither man was thinking about a career in management.
“We weren’t talking tactics,” revealed Moore. “We were both coming to the end of our contracts so we were talking about who we were going to sign for! That was the discussion at the time.”
But now, the pair go head to head at The Hawthorns in an attempt to outwit each other from the dugout.
Moore’s main issue lies in central midfield, where he has Jake Livermore suspended and Gareth Barry a doubt.
“We’ve got some good midfield players in the club as well as players from other areas that can drop into those positions,” he said. “There’s flexibility in the squad. It’s wonderful to have that variety.”
Derby have got young legs in midfield, but Moore won’t take that into account when he picks Livermore’s replacement.
“Lots of teams that have had young legs in midfield against us this season,” he said.
“The experience and know how of the boys we have in there have dealt with that.” Nor is Moore concerned about Chris Brunt featuring again after playing 90 minutes on Saturday.
“There’s enough recovery time from Saturday to Wednesday so we don’t see that being a problem for anybody.”
But after defeat to Wigan on Saturday, Moore will be looking for a response.
The Opposition - Loan youngsters bring dynamism to Derby
Just like Albion, Derby County have a fledgling manager at the helm this season, albeit with a higher profile.
Frank Lampard’s first foray into management is being keenly watched, and so far the former Chelsea and England midfielder has got off to a solid start.
The Rams come to The Hawthorns just three points behind the Baggies, and Lampard appears to have found the right blend between youth and experience.
Derby’s talented youngsters Mason Mount, 19, and Harry Wilson, 21, who are on loan from Chelsea and Liverpool respectively have caught the eye.
But Lampard’s team have, on average, the seventh-oldest starting XI in the league.
Derby’s success is not just down to youth. Players like Craig Bryson, Tom Huddlestone, and Richard Keogh, who are all in their 30s, have also been key.
In goal, they have former Albion man Scott Carson, now 33.
Bryson scored in Derby’s 2-1 win over recent league leaders Sheffield United at the weekend, but will miss tonight’s game through injury.
“It looks like a small strain on his calf,” said Lampard.
“It’s hopefully on the small end which is days to a week, rather than weeks, but we’re waiting on a scan later so we’ll have more information on that after the West Brom game, but he will struggle for that one.”
The other goalscorer on Saturday night was Jack Marriott. The 24-year-old striker signed from Peterborough in the summer is starting to find his form for the Rams now.
“Jack Marriott scoring goals is for me a combination of the hard work he puts in day in, day out,” said Lampard.
“He came here with a lot of talent, that’s why we brought him here.
“He came at a difficult period in pre-season having missed some work. He needed fitness and needed to feel the team and the way I wanted to play and he’s done that. The rest is all him and his hard work having taken all that on board.
“Thankfully it’s paid off in the last few games for him. It’s testament to him and the challenge now is can you keep doing it more and more.”
But it is the dynamism and creativity of Mount and Wilson that should worry Albion the most.
Both youngsters have grabbed their chance to shine at Pride Park and are now being recognised internationally.
Mount was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad last month, despite plying his trade in the Championship, although he didn’t feature for the senior side.
Wilson scored a free-kick for Wales in their Nations League win over the Republic of Ireland, his second goal in just his sixth cap. Derby’s bright young things will take some stopping.
Derby's dangerman - Mason Mount
Frank Lampard has built his team around the talented 19-year-old, who has been given a free role.
And the Chelsea loanee has repaid him in spades, scoring five goals already, making him the Rams’ top scorer this season. Called up to the England senior squad last month, he is Derby’s jewel in the crown.
Albion's key man - Dwight Gayle
He was quiet on Saturday but Dwight Gayle has been electric at The Hawthorns. Albion will look to him to score after a rare blank at Wigan.
Memory Lane
Albion last hosted the Rams in the league in February 2010. Chris Brunt hit a brace in a 3-1 victory. Simon Cox got the other Albion goal in front of 23,335 fans.
