Frank Lampard enjoying the challenge despite baptism of fire at Derby

Lampard’s men flopped to a 2-1 loss away at Millwall on Saturday leaving the promotion hopefuls with only one win from their opening three games

Lampard's Derby have suffered back-to-back defeats (Getty Images)

Frank Lampard says managerial life is just as hard as he expected it to be after his Derby County side fell to back-to-back defeats in the Championship.

The promotion hopefuls sit 14th in the table after three games, their only points coming on the opening day of the season after a late winner against Reading.

Lampard’s men flopped to a 2-1 loss away at Millwall on Saturday, leaving it too late to salvage a comeback in the final minutes despite a consolation goal from David Nugent.

Speaking after the match the former Chelsea and Manchester City midfielder explained how he’s learning with every game, and watching more football than ever before.

“I’ve enjoyed it,” he said, “I would want a better return. I would want more than three points obviously, but I’ve enjoyed it. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I knew that for a fact, and it will continue not being easy, and that’ll be the fact for every manager in this league this season. It’s taxing in a good way, constantly dealing with people, dealing with football. And I love that.”

Lampard is enjoying the challenge despite a tough start to life in management (REUTERS)

“I think every manager continues to [learn],” he added. “I spoke to Neil [Harris] before the game. Every manager you speak to is a constant learning curve. If you’re not opening your ears and your eyes every day to learn, then you’re standing still, so I’m straight into that.

“I’m watching loads [of football]. I’m watching opposition, I’m watching other games. I’ve always done that; I’ve always lived it. Obviously you’re a bit more specific about opposition, and again, that’s part of the learning as well, watching games.”

As a teenager Lampard went to the same school in Essex as Harris, who has been in charge at Millwall since 2015. The pair also played for the same football team during their time at Brentwood School.

The Lions boss spoke promisingly of Lampard’s future on the touchline, while joking about the crowd’s toying chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” when Derby conceded their second goal.

“I remember every game I’ve managed,” Harris said after the game. “I’m sure Frank got a warm reception from our fans. He’s going to be a cracking manager, the man he is, the professionalism he had in his career, the success he’s had.

“You have to earn the right to win,” he added. “I thought the game management at the end was much better. Frank will be disappointed with the goals they conceded.”

Harris was pleased with his side's performance (Getty Images)

In the latter stages against Millwall, following Nugent's fine finish from the edge of the box, the hosts began to look more disorganised and frail. But despite Derby showing positive spells in attack, they were clearly lacking a handle on the game.

Lampard insisted he “knew what was coming” when facing the Lions' direct style of play and hostile atmosphere, but claims those difficulties weren't going to force him to adapt the team’s approach.

“Derby fans will want to see good football played,” he stressed, “but good football played slowly is not good football. You can pass the ball as much as you want, but if you pass it slow as we did in this first half, it’s not good. If you pass it quickly and decisively then it’s good to watch.

“I’m not sure if [Millwall] played out from the back it would last more than five minutes, to be honest. I think it would be dictated that it gets launched forward. So there’s different ideas.”

“We’ll go through the season and it’s going to be [difficult],” added Lampard. “Every team will have ups and downs – it’s how you deal with it. We’ve lost two games. We’re certainly not going to panic. But we need to keep our level, and play as we did in the second half today.”

Derby have a chance to get back to winning ways on Tuesday night when they host Ipswich at Pride Park, who have yet to win a game this season.