Coventry City

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Coventry City left-back Jake Bidwell was proud of his team-mates and the Sky Blues fans for getting the job done in such difficult circumstances as they won 1-0 at Millwall.

In horrible weather, as Storm Darragh pounded away at The Den, at one of the most notoriously difficult away grounds in the country, Ephron Mason-Clark's 63rd-minute winner earned City their first victory under new boss Frank Lampard.

"We knew with the way conditions were all around the country, it wasn't going to be pretty," Bidwell told BBC CWR. "The ball was moving around all over the place. You could see that with the lads trying to take corners.

"But we still played some decent stuff at times and we battled when we needed to. Some good blocks and headers late on."

On his first start since 5 October following knee trouble, Bidwell linked up well down the left with scorer Mason-Clark, who is another to have felt the galvanising effect of Lampard's appointment, having got off the mark for the club in last weekend's 2-2 home draw with Cardiff City.

"He can go left, he can go right, roll people, he's strong, quick and now he has back-to-back goals - I'm delighted for him as he's a great lad," said Bidwell.

"Lads who hadn't had much of a chance now have fresh impetus, making good competition for places. I'm pleased to be back and feeling good. My knee is great. It was my first injury for six or seven years. I hope it takes that long before I get another one.

"And I don't know how many times I've said it in my three years here, but those fans of ours are unbelievable. We're sold out everywhere. I'm just glad we could send them back with three points. And it would be great if we could do the same for them against West Brom on Wednesday night.

"One good performance a week won't get you very far in this division. We need another performance and another win."

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Frank Lampard says he is pleased with the 'character' and 'personality' of his Coventry City side after their first win under his leadership.

Ephron Mason-Clark's second-half goal secured the Sky Blues a 1-0 win at Millwall to end a five-game winless run.

The former England and Chelsea midfielder took over at Coventry last month after long-serving boss Mark Robins was sacked.

"The first half was a bit slow from us, it's not easy to come here and the conditions were obviously very difficult," Lampard told BBC CWR.

"But there were things we could have done which we didn't do which made it difficult in the first half, it was a bit passive from us.

"But we got some messages across at half time and I'm really, really proud of them - we played quicker, created chances and probably should have been two up before that last five to 10 minutes when we had to suffer a bit.

"But really pleased with the character, really pleased with the personality of the team and it's a nice win.

"It's a small step forward because there's a lot to do, but we're very happy."

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Until recently, Millwall had developed a consistent habit of winning matches 1-0 - but it looks as though 1-1 has now taken over as the Londoners' favourite scoreline in recent weeks.

The Lions have drawn three games in a row with a goal apiece, against Stoke, Sunderland and Oxford, within a nine-match undefeated run that has taken them to 10th in the table, five points shy of the play-offs.

Visitors Coventry have also got into a familiar pattern of late, with three of their last four games ending 2-2 - the most recent of those coming at home to Cardiff last weekend in Frank Lampard's first fixture as Sky Blues boss.

● Millwall have lost each of their last three league games against Coventry City and will be looking to avoid losing four in succession in the Football League for the first time.

● Coventry City have lost just one of their last six away league games against Millwall (W3 D2), scoring 13 goals in total during that time.

● Since a 1-0 defeat at Cardiff at the start of October, Millwall are unbeaten in their last nine league games (W4 D5); they last went 10+ games unbeaten in the Football League between January and April 2018 (17).

● Coventry have conceded two goals in each of their last five league games (D3 L2); the Sky Blues last endured a longer league run of conceding 2+ goals in November 2014 (7).

● Four of Millwall's last five Championship goals have come from set pieces (2x free kick, 1x corner, 1x throw). Excluding penalties only Derby County (11) have more set-piece goals in the Championship this season than Millwall's eight.

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Image source, Clive Eakin

Here's some more from Frank Lampard's press conference this morning.

Firstly on injured striker Haji Wright who has been out since suffering an ankle injury on 9 November.

"He's progressing pretty well. I haven't really got a time frame for you at the minute," Lampard said.

"It's one of the disappointments of coming in, not having him ready right now but it's a busy period and we're hoping he's back soon."

The 46-year-old also spoke about assistant boss Joe Edwards' return to Millwall on Saturday.

Edwards was sacked by the Lions in February after just under four months in charge.

"He is looking forward to it but you have to take emotions out of these things because we've all been there," Lampard added.

"I've gone back to previous clubs and it brings a different feeling for sure. We're all human to that but we'll just approach the game and try to win the game. We'll try to understand Millwall's strengths and possible weaknesses.

"We're very professional about it. We're here to try and help this club and we know we're in a moment of wanting to improve so that's our main focus."

Image source, Coventry City FC

Coventry boss Frank Lampard has dismissed any perception that his young squad lacks leadership.

Experienced players including Kyle McFadzean, Liam Kelly and Matty Godden have all left the club over the past 12 months.

"I think that's an easy conclusion, I think leadership as a sense has changed over the years," Lampard said.

"It's always easy to hark back 15 years and go, 'oh there were leaders everywhere' it's not always the case.

"The young men here have to make themselves leaders too. We're young but we're not babies. Players have to take responsibility.

"That's something to assess I guess going forward but I should be a leader, Ben Sheaf will be a leader so will Jake Bidwell but also so will the younger players in the team. They have to grow into that."

The Sky Blues visit Millwall on Saturday (15:00 GMT kick-off)

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Coventry City's new boss Frank Lampard has been very clear with his instructions in his first few days in charge, according to midfielder Ephron Mason-Clark.

Lampard's appointment was confirmed last Thursday, just two days before his first game in charge, which ended in a 2-2 draw with Cardiff City as Mason-Clark scored his first goal for the club since signing from Peterborough United.

Lampard has inherited a squad constructed by Mark Robins and had just two training sessions at Ryton to get his initial ideas across as to how they should approach the visit of the Bluebirds.

The new manager made two changes to the Coventry team from their 2-0 loss at Burnley but, more significantly, switched from a back three to a four-man defence.

"In the short space of time we've taken on a lot of tactics and ways of playing and it's been very clear and quite simple really," Mason-Clark told BBC CWR.

"With how competitive our squad is, having a person like that in the building is only going to amplify that and make every single training session and matchday competitive."

Lampard now has the relative luxury of a full week with the players ahead of Saturday's trip to Millwall followed by next Wednesday's game at West Bromwich Albion, with Coventry three points clear of the Championship's relegation zone.

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It is one of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the football calendar as Premier League and Championship clubs join the FA Cup action from round three.

The draw will take place on Monday, 2 December from 19:00 GMT and can be watched live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

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New Coventry City boss Frank Lampard was pleased with certain aspects of his side's performance in his first game in charge.

But he had particular praise for his two goalscorers in the Sky Blues' 2-2 home draw with Cardiff City.

Winger Ephron Mason-Clark took his chance well to earn Coventry their first equaliser as they twice came from behind, but Lampard was equally full of praise for Victor Torp for the composure he showed to level from the penalty spot late on.

"I took penalties myself, so I understand what it can be like - and the time it takes," he said.

"There's always quite a lot of kerfuffle and the penalty spot being roughed up. It's not easy to keep calm and he took it brilliantly."

"There was some good, some not so good in our performance, but it was only to be expected two days in, with where we are in the league - and we want to get better," Lampard told BBC CWR.

One key decision Lampard made was to give Ephron-Clark only his fourth league start for the Sky Blues - and his first in almost two months, having so far figured mostly from the bench.

"It's not easy settling into a division above, so he does need time but he also needs to earn the right to play minutes regularly, so I'm pleased with him," he added.

"He understands more now of what we want from him in running in behind. He's got a lot of raw talent - and we want to get to work with it really quickly."

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Former Coventry City goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic believes owner Doug King's appointment of Frank Lampard as the club's new head coach is a sign of their ambition.

The former Chelsea and England midfielder has replaced Mark Robins who was sacked earlier this month.

"It's quite an ambitious appointment and I think there'll be substantial funds available to strengthen the squad," Ogrizovic told BBC CWR.

"For Doug King's credibility, he wants to get somewhere near the Premier League, and he sees Frank Lampard as part of that."

Lampard inherits a team currently 17th in the Championship, two points above the relegation zone, and with many fans doubting his ability, but Ogrizovic believes he should be given time to succeed.

"People have to respect the job he has done in football as a player and a manager as well.

"He did really well at Derby in his first job. His first stint at Chelsea was pretty decent, but his Everton experience has tarnished him a bit and the few games he had back at Chelsea."

Frank Lampard's first game in charge is Coventry's home meeting with Cardiff on Saturday, and Ogrizovic is confident he can communicate his ideas to the players.

"We've got a good, bright young manager who I'm impressed with when I hear him summarising on the TV. He's astute, knows the modern game, and will link well with the players.

"He's got a good way of being able to explain things and I'm surprised that hasn't translated into better results, but he hasn't been a disaster. He's had some success, but people tend to look at Everton and the last six or seven games at Chelsea, which is a bit unfair."

Image source, Tom Leach - Coventry Ciy FC

Frank Lampard makes it quite clear that it will be very much his own team when Coventry City host Cardiff City in his first game in charge on Saturday.

It's a meeting of17th against 21st, between two teams who are both without a win in four games - and Lampard's new charges will begin the day only one point better off than the Bluebirds, knowing they could do with an immediate upturn in results.

"I'll pick the team," Lampard, who took training for the first time on Thursday, told BBC CWR. "With a lot of conversations from the coaching staff. I'll tap into their expertise of having worked with the players but I come in with a few ideas of my own.

"I've got a good impression from what I've seen. The squad is strong, has been well put together and has a nice balance to it. But there's a reason why we're where are in the league. We have to find the reason and we have to find results."

Cardiff themselves have made a managerial change this season, having sacked Erol Bulut in mid-September, after which they won four times in seven games under interim boss Omer Riza. But they have now picked up just one point from a possible 12 ahead of their trip to the CBS Arena.

Having said that, Cardiff did win on their last visit in April when an out of the blue 2-1 away win proved a massive blow to Mark Robins' side's Championship play-off hopes.

"The first task is get a win and get a good feeling," added Lampard. "We're at home and we'll have the fans behind us and I'm always grateful for what the fans can bring you.

"But, for me, it always rests on the players to produce an energy and an urgency that the fans will relate to that. For me, that is always the first thing I demand."

Having lost 2-0 at home to bottom club QPR on Tuesday night, the Bluebirds are wary of what changes Lampard may make.

"He may go to a back four because has never played with a back three," Riza told BBC Wales. "But Coventry are an attacking side. They like to go forward. There has to be an element of cautiousness away from home which is something I'm looking at, but without taking away our attacking threat."

Mantej Mann
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Tom Leach CCFC

Lampard arrives at the CBS Arena with the sole task of delivering promotion.

Ahead of this season, Coventry City were selling season tickets as a ‘Premier League’ package, which would entitle buying fans to a free season ticket once the club moved up into the top-flight.

An ambitious ploy which was met with huge demand and a record number of season tickets sold.

Doug King has made changes to the club's hierarchy with chief commercial officer Tynan Scope and chief executive Dave Boddy both leaving their posts since he took charge in January 2023.

That reshuffle culminated with the departure of much-loved manager Mark Robins three weeks ago to signal a new era.

Lampard inherits a side from Robins who are languishing in 17th place in the table, two points above the relegation zone.

Only six sides have scored more goals than City this season, but in truth, they have not replaced Viktor Gyokeres as a main focal point in attack.

USA international Haji Wright was brought in last summer as a record signing but his more favoured position is on the wing, while Brandon Thomas-Asante’s move from West Brom before this season has failed to live up to expectations so far.

Ellis Simms, meanwhile, has struggled for consistency but Lampard has worked with the forward before at Everton and will be hoping to reinvigorate the 23-year-old.

Lampard is renowned for developing young talent and promising 20-year-old Norman Bassette opened his account in a fiery display against promotion-chasing Sheffield United and could be tasked with firing City up the table.

Many supporters were disappointed at the departure of Robins but football fans can quickly forget after a few good results.

Lampard will be backed by vociferous support from ‘Singers corner’ in his first game and victory over Cardiff City could be the kickstart everyone connected to Coventry City desires.

Image source, Rex Features

BBC CWR's Rob Gurney

Frank Lampard is Doug King's choice. Now he has to deliver a return to football's top table for the first time in a quarter of a century.

His profile is just what the owner wants - bringing the name of Coventry City Football Club into the psyche of people outside the game.

And the Lampard contacts book brings with it an expectation that he'll be able to conjure up something hitherto missing from this group of players to take that extra step that Mark Robins couldn't.

Until January, though, he has to get a tune out of an underachieving, underperforming squad and work out his priorities for that next transfer window.

Getting Derby to the Championship play-off final was an achievement. But, just like his Sky Blues predecessor, Lampard couldn't quite revisit the promised land.

It's not a universally popular appointment with Sky Blues fans but going forward together, rather than divided, has to be the right approach now.

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George Boateng has left his role as Coventry City first-team coach in the wake of Frank Lampard's appointment as head coach.

A club statement said: "We would all like to thank George for his contribution to the Sky Blues since his return to the club in the summer.

"George was a popular figure, adding to his 57-game and seven-goal playing spell at the club during the 1990s.

"We all wish George the best of luck for the future."

Lampard is bringing in former Millwall boss Joe Edwards, with whom he has worked at Derby, Everton and Chelsea, as his number two.

Chris Jones is also joining the coaching staff, having worked with Lampard at his previous three clubs.

Rhys Carr, who had been in interim charge of late, having previously been assistant to Mark Robins, will remain on the backroom team as first-team coach.

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It is fair to say that Coventry's decision to appoint Frank Lampard as successor to the departed Mark Robins has proved pretty controversial, particularly among the Sky Blues support.

The former Chelsea and England midfielder, now 46, takes over with the club 17th in the Championship table, two points above the relegation places.

The Sky Blues job will be Lampard's fifth in management, following spells at Derby County, Everton and two stints with Chelsea, the most recent ending in May 2023.

Judging by some of the comments from fans underneath our story, many of you are fearing the worst after this appointment.

Cuddle: Coventry fans absolutely do NOT want this appointment and never have. Slap in the face from the new owner who knows nothing about football.

Andre: That's Coventry down then. Ridiculous decision to sack Robins and appoint a far worse coach.

Me: This has got the Birmingham Rooney situation all over it. When will these owners ever learn?

Michael: Absolutely terrible appointment. Given this job based on his name, not his managerial ability or record. Always had a soft spot for Coventry, and was hoping they might get back up into the Premier League in the not too distant future. With this development they are more likely to be back in League One.

It is not universal negativity, mind. There are some fans, particularly from the east midlands, who have fond memories of Lampard the manager.

Darren: People disrespect him but they completely forget he took Derby to the Championship play-off final, he also got Chelsea into the Top Four whilst they had a transfer ban. He’s not as “awful” as everyone makes him out to be, he’s a lot better than Rooney, put it that way!

Samthompson: I really like the guy and hope he does well, but I fear it's just another massive error in sacking a solid manager for a big name. I feel for Coventry fans as I do not expect this to end well, but I hope it does for everyone's sake.

Richard: Lampard cannot be blamed for the decision to sack Robins. Now he has to succeed but don’t judge him on Everton, because of the other issues that have hampered the club for so long. Derby was ok so hope it works out. But what is success - with the parachute payments to other clubs, habitually in or near the play offs maybe realistic??

Eaststand: Speaking as a Derby fan I would say that Lampard is a far better manager than Rooney. Lampard produced an entertaining team at Pride Park and was unfortunate to come up against a Villa side containing Grealish, McGinn, Abraham and Mings in the play-off final.

And finally, a reminder that managers may come and go, but the club is always the most important thing.

Number132: Just to remind you, it's Coventry City, not "Frank Lampard's Coventry" or any such nonsense!

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Coventry City midfielder Josh Eccles said there are "exciting times" ahead despite the loss at Burnley and a three-week wait for a new head coach to be appointed.

The Sky Blues fell to a 2-0 defeat at Turf Moor on Tuesday night in temporary boss Rhys Carr's third game in charge since Mark Robins was sacked.

Eccles said it was a "disappointing" result but doesn't believe a lack of certainty at the club has impacted recent performances.

"I wouldn't say it's affected the boys," Eccles told BBC Radio CWR's Sky Blues Fancast.

"I think the coaches and staff here have kept us at ease. Rhys has been tremendous, and he said if I hear anything, I'll be the first one to tell you.

"We're still waiting. It's exciting times, but who knows what can happen and when."

Eccles said Coventry have the "fighting spirit" to keep going even when they fall a goal behind and is already looking to the next game against Cardiff on Saturday to bounce back.

"They're below us, so it's going to be a massive six-pointer, shall we say," Eccles added.

"I feel like we've got to take the anger and disappointment out of this game and put it to the game on Saturday. We've got to go and smash them.

"Obviously, it's at home, so we know we're going to have the fans backing us and put on a good performance and get the three points and see if we can get the clean sheet as well."

You can listen to Josh Eccles' interview with the Sky Blues Fancast on BBC Sounds.