Mason Mount enters English football: Five things we learned as Lampard starts Derby career with a win

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Derby County left it very late to give Frank Lampard his first managerial victory as they came from a goal behind against Reading.

In an evenly matched encounter it was the hosts who broke the deadlock through Jón Daði Böðvarsson but strikes from Mason Mount and Tom Lawrence handed Lampard and his men a 1-2 win as well as three precious points.

That being said here are five things we learned from this season’s Championship opener.

Lampard’s baptism

It’s been widely said that fantastic players don’t always make great managers.

So, naturally all attention was on Derby County boss Frank Lampard, taking charge of his first competitive match at managerial level.

The moment his appointment was confirmed one question started to swirl: how would Lampard get the Rams to play?

Given the plethora of coaches he’s played under, there is surely an idea, on this outing it feels like a work in progress. Lampard set his team out in a 4-3-3, it enabled them to dominate possession, but goalscoring opportunities were few and far between.

That being said, no serious conclusions should be made from his visit to the Madejski Stadium, even if Derby left it late to claim all three points – Lampard knows it’s a work in process, but can be encouraged to have claimed his first win this soon.

Looking forwards not backwards

A new season means a fresh start and boy do Reading need it.

Their 2017/18 campaign was a miserable one; it seemed so promising under Jaap Stam, but the wheels came off. He was dismissed with The Royals staring relegation in the face.

Paul Clement, fresh off his stint at Swansea City, was billed as their saviour. Carlo Ancelotti’s former assistant managed to keep them up, just, as they’d finish three points above the relegation zone.

Heading into this campaign, it was all about starting as they mean to go on, but the approach is seemingly one of pragmatism. Instead of monopolising possession Clement instructed his side to sit back and play on the counter.

But this encounter will be remembered for Reading snatching a defeat from the jaws of victory, football can be a cruel mistress.

All eyes on Mount

In late 2017 leading French magazine France Football published what they described as their 12 “new monsters”, the bright young things to keep an eye on, among those making the cut was Chelsea youngster Mason Mount.

Yet to make a single appearance for his boyhood club, Mount illustrated why he’s so highly thought of on loan at Dutch outfit Vitesse Arnhem, bagging 13 goals and creating a further 10 for his teammates across 30 matches in all competitions.

The powers that be at Stamford Bridge, importantly, see him donning the Blues’ jersey one day but for now Derby under Lampard – who mastered the role Mount wants to make his own – is seen as the perfect next phase in his education.

His first competitive match at senior level in English club football went reasonably well, although relatively quiet (there was always going to be teething issues) he remains a prodigious talent and his speculative shot from just outside the penalty area was too was to irresistible for Vito Mannone in the Reading goal.

Barrow the creator

As previously mentioned 2017/18 was a difficult season for Reading.

However, in the guise of Modou Barrow there was a sliver of hope, the Gambian winger bagged 10 goals and created a further five for his teammates.

And from the onset of this campaign it’s clear he’s got an important role to play. No one was more active in creating chances (3) than the former Swansea man who is thriving in Clement’s more direct style of play.

Barrow’s sumptuous cross for Bödvarsson is sure to be the first of many, but the Royals could have done with his others being converted.

A game of two halves

The Championship last season averaged 2.54 goals per game. After the opening 45 minutes it seemed this game was destined to be a goalless affair. Oh how wrong we were; like like London buses, you wait for (what seemed) ages then two come along at once.

Eight minutes separated Bödvarsson putting the hosts in front and Mount restoring parity. Widely considered a competitive and unpredictable league, with late winners aplenty, the Championship should be fun again this season.

The post Mason Mount enters English football: Five things we learned as Lampard starts Derby career with a win appeared first on Squawka News.



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