Achieving 30 points out of a possible 36 is an incredible feat in any football league. In the highly competitive Championship, it`s almost unbelievable. This league is known for its unpredictable nature, where even the top teams can struggle against those fighting relegation.
Coventry City`s consistent form since January 4th is truly remarkable. Back then, after a 2-1 loss to Norwich City, the Sky Blues were in 15th place. Their season, which had started with promise, seemed to be going nowhere by the halfway point.
However, twelve games later, Coventry is now a strong contender for the playoffs. While automatic promotion might be out of reach, especially with Sheffield United ahead, they have gained crucial momentum at this stage of the Championship season with eight games remaining.
The reason for this turnaround appears to be Frank Lampard and his coaching staff. The former England star joined Coventry, eager to prove himself after disappointing periods at Chelsea and Everton. He found a talented squad that was already performing reasonably well statistically under the previous manager, Mark Robins, but lacked belief.
Bringing Belief
According to star player Jack Rudoni, the training ground atmosphere is now incredibly positive.
`A lot of credit goes to the new staff. They`ve made training enjoyable and have clearly communicated their expectations,` Rudoni told CBS Sports. `Everyone understands their roles, and training is fun. They are great people to be around and talk to.`
`This has brought the players closer together, and the wins have amplified that. The atmosphere in the changing room is fantastic right now. Everyone is really excited.`
Of course, positive vibes alone don`t earn you the most points in the Championship since the FA Cup third round, a record surpassed only by Liverpool during that period. Lampard made tactical adjustments after an injury, switching to a back three formation, which Coventry has recently moved away from without any negative impact on performance.
For Rudoni, the formation change allowed him to play in a more attacking midfield role in a 4-3-3 system. They`ve increased possession, and while they might be taking slightly fewer shots, the quality of these shots, based on expected goals (xG), has improved significantly.
Upcoming Match: Sheffield United vs. Coventry City
- Date: Friday, Mar. 28
- Location: Bramall Lane — Sheffield, United Kingdom
- TV: CBS Sports Golazo Network | Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Sheffield United +110; Draw +240; Coventry +250
It`s worth noting Coventry`s expected goals (xG) numbers. Interestingly, these haven`t changed much. Under Robins, their non-penalty xG difference per game was 0.46. Under Lampard, it`s also 0.46. The difference is, under the previous manager, Coventry was underperforming their xG, while under Lampard, they are now achieving it.
The fact that the xG profile is similar doesn`t diminish Lampard`s achievement. Outperforming the opposition by half an expected goal per game is typical of a promotion-contending team. Lampard`s impact has been to help the team achieve results that match their underlying performance levels.
However, data can`t capture everything. This is where the changes in team morale and belief come in. A talented squad, highlighted by signings like Viktor Gyokores, needed to rediscover their potential and believe they could be the promotion contenders many had predicted at the start of the season.
Rudoni mentions how assistant manager Joe Edwards` video analysis directly benefited him and Mason-Clark in a recent win against Preston.
`Before that game, Joe showed me clips of a previous game where Ephron crossed to me, and I scored a header. He reminded us of our successful partnership, showing how we could create chances together again,` Rudoni explained.
`In the game against Preston, we scored almost the exact same goal within twenty minutes.`
Lampard`s Influence
It was a typical Lampard-style goal – a late run into the box, attacking the space created by teammates. Rudoni, a Londoner who grew up admiring Lampard, is now being coached by his childhood hero. He was a young fan when Chelsea won the Champions League, and now he`s learning from the captain of that team.
What was it like meeting Lampard for the first time?
`I just wanted to ask him everything. I want to learn as much as possible from someone who reached the highest level,` Rudoni said.
`I probably ask him a lot of questions. But he`s one of the best players ever. Why wouldn`t I ask him everything?`
Rudoni is not just playing under Lampard; he`s playing the Lampard role.
`Working with and learning from the best is all I could ask for. He helps me with runs into the box, finishing techniques, and shares drills that were effective for him,` he added.
Lampard himself has acknowledged that this role is a learning experience for him too. His early managerial career had ups and downs, with promising spells at Derby County and Chelsea followed by a challenging period at Everton. He stabilized Everton initially but couldn`t elevate them further.
Since then, Lampard has focused on learning from top managers like Thomas Frank of Brentford and Pep Guardiola. This learning appears to be paying off. Coventry fans, initially skeptical about anyone replacing the popular Mark Robins, seem to have embraced Lampard. The players also share Lampard`s desire for continuous improvement.
`As players, we are eager to learn and improve,` Rudoni stated. `We don`t have big egos.`
`The new staff implemented their style effectively, and we adopted it as a team. We`ve worked hard and stuck together. Once we started winning, the momentum continued, and it`s been a great feeling. We hope it continues.`
If Coventry maintains this form, they will likely secure a playoff spot. Winning the playoffs would end their 21-year absence from the Premier League. Coventry, despite past struggles, has a rich history in the top flight, including winning the FA Cup in 1988 and memorable escapes from relegation.
Their rise from League Two to Championship playoff contention has revived the atmosphere at the stadium. If this team goes further than last season, they will become club legends.
`I see the passion of the fans, and I`d be thrilled to achieve promotion for them as much as for ourselves,` Rudoni said. `They`ve been to Wembley before without success, and I hope this is our year.`
`Let`s make it our year. I`m ready to go to Wembley and win.`
Dominic Ashworth