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The Rams are chasing the play-off pack with Lampard insisting there's no room for nice guys as the battle heats up.

His side travel to Birmingham on Friday with Lampard warning them that they'll need to get stuck in and be ready for a scrap.

Derby have something of a point to prove away from home. Since beating runaway leaders Norwich 4-3 on their own patch in December, Derby have taken just three points from seven matches on their travels.

Lampard says it's time to roll sleeves up and be prepared to get a few bruises, saying: “We have three difficult away games it's time to change that.

“If you are going to go to Birmingham and get a result you have got to match them for physical aggression. This is a critical period.

“We have to bring the nasty side to our game. You must be up for the fight. I'm interested to see how we approach it.

“We have to bring everything. We have to fight tooth and nail. This is not a moment to be fearful. We know what's in front of us.”

Lampard is looking for a good return from their three away games with trips to Bristol City and Swansea following the St Andrews trip and insists he's loving the pressure.

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He added: “You can't stress yourself out every second of the day – there has to be a balance.If we can make the play-offs and then succeed in the final then it's a life-changer.

“Pressure is always there. The stakes are higher now but that's what you should be in football for. I like it. Personally, I love this feeling.

“I've always been up for it. As a player you take the pressure on. It's greater as a manager. You don't switch off from it much but I love it. It's good pressure. I'm not scared of it.

“I'd rather be going through all this than be in mid table with nothing to play for. The fact that we're in it is a huge positive. We are slight underdogs I'd say, but I don 't mind that.”

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He's mindful that Brum's nine-points penalty deduction is the only reason they are not right up there looking to scramble into the top six.

Lampard adds: “They are in a false position. Garry Monk has done a very good job. The points deduction was tough.

“They would have been up there fighting and right in it but for that. He's not at fault, he's just had to carry the can.”