[ad_pod ]Frank Lampard has secured Derby County a spot in the playoffs in his first year of management, with his reward two legs against Leeds United for a place in the final.

Gary Lineker has rightly praised Lampard for getting Derby into the top-six, beating the likes of Middlesbrough and Bristol City to sixth place.

The Chelsea legend has used his contacts at his former employers to bring in Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori on loan, but also signing experienced Championship striker Martyn Waghorn has proved to be inspired as he has bagged eight goals.

Lampard has found a lovely balance within his Rams side, with a good blend of talented youngsters and experienced Championship players, such as Richard Keogh and Scott Carson.

He could have replaced these with younger maybe more talented players but Lampard realised the importance of keeping wise heads around.

The season has not been plain sailing for Derby with poor defeats against Millwall, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers.

However, now he has achieved his aim of taking Derby to the playoffs, can he go one step further and return the Rams to the Premier League?