Coventry City

Marc Webber
BBC Final Score reporter

Image source, Rex Features

A lot of Coventry fans were frustrated as they filed out of their team's game with Norwich on Saturday.

Sky Blues manager Frank Lampard admitted to feeling the same way in his post-match press conference.

It was the first time this season the dark arts of football had been applied against this free-scoring team.

But Lampard said he was proud of the way his side kept their cool over the numerous injury stoppages that broke Coventry's tempo.

And he's right to be positive, despite the fact they could have scored more.

Cavalier Coventry need to keep firing on all cylinders to remain Championship contenders, whatever is thrown at them.

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard told BBC CWR after his side's 1-1 draw with Norwich City:

"It was a fanastic performance from the team, from minute one.

"We started the game really well and they score from their first little moment, but we continued all the way through and created a lot.

"We moved the ball really well, looked really sharp, everything you want in a performance, the only thing you're lacking is the win and that's because it's one of those days.

"Then it's a test of character and they certainly stood up to that because we pushed until the end of the game.

"And barring the natural disappointment of the three points which you don't get, I'm really proud of the players."

Image source, Getty Images

Midfielder Matt Grimes says he is "massively honoured" to be made Coventry captain.

The midfielder joined the Sky Blues from Swansea in January and has made 24 appearances since.

Coventry's previous captain Ben Sheaf departed for Wrexham on deadline day and Grimes was happy to take on the responsibility.

"Massively honoured to be honest, to be captain of such a huge club, I don't think there's much more to say, I give absolutely everything I can as I have been since I walked in the door, but I'm really, really proud," he told BBC Radio CWR.

"A couple of days ago, the gaffer pulled me in and spoke of his desire to make me captain and of course I was going to oblige and take it.

"Obviously with Sheafo (Ben Sheaf) leaving there was a vacancy there, so it was a little bit of surprise, but I'm honoured and really privileged."

Grimes spent six years at Swansea before joining Coventry, five as club captain in South Wales leading the team out over 200 times.

The 30-year-old believes that his previous experience will help him settle into the role at Coventry.

"It's a role that, at the start, takes a little bit of getting used to so I do think it's handy that I've had the experience before," he added.

"I know what's coming and the extra responsibility, so I think on that side of it, I'll be absolutely fine.

"The better the group you have the easier it is, the more problems and issues and fires you have to put out, the more difficult it becomes but like I said the group are fantastic and I can't see it becoming too much of an issue."

Grimes also previewed the Sky Blues' upcoming game as they host Norwich on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard says appointing midfielder Matt Grimes as their new club captain was "the right choice".

Grimes, who previously held the armband for close to six years at Swansea City, was named captain on Thursday following the departure of former skipper Ben Sheaf to Wrexham.

"Grimes has impressed everybody on and off the pitch since he's been at the club, has a big experience of being a captain so he was, for me, the right choice," Lampard told BBC Radio CWR.

"I think captains should lead by example - on the pitch, off the pitch - and be very well rounded and I think Grimes is certainly that.

"As a coach there are some players who can help form the team, form the way you want to play and particularly in Grimes' position centrally, in the middle of the park, it's been seen that he's been hugely important."

Lampard also confirmed that left-back Jay Dasilva has trained this week despite missing out on international duty with Wales after an injury concern sustained during the Sky Blues' last match against Oxford United.

Coventry host Norwich City on Saturday (15:00 BST) looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the Championship season.

Listen to the full pre-match interview with Lampard and more Coventry City content on BBC Sounds.

Coventry City are yet to lose in the Championship and will be hoping that continues as they welcome a Norwich side that have struggled for consistency on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Sky Blues have scored more goals than anyone else in the division, largely down to their 7-1 win against QPR in their last home game.

Norwich are aiming for back-to-back wins for the first time this season having won two and lost two of their opening four games.

• Coventry are winless in their last 10 league games against Norwich (D3 L7), losing six of their previous seven.

• Norwich have won on four of their last five league trips to Coventry (D1), one more than in their first 48 league visits (W3 D9 L36).

• After beginning the 2025-26 season with a goalless draw against Hull City, Coventry's last three league games have seen 20 goals scored (F14, A6). Indeed, since Frank Lampard's first game in charge in November, no side in the competition have seen more goals in their games than the Sky Blues (95 – F56 A39).

• Norwich are looking to win three successive away league games for the first time since October 2022 under Dean Smith.

• Josh Sargent's is currently on 49 Championship goals for Norwich following his brace against Blackburn Rovers last time out; since his debut in the competition (30th July 2022) only Joel Piroe (51) has reached 50 goals in the competition.

Image source, Getty Images

Midfielder Matt Grimes has been appointed Coventry City's new club captain.

The 30-year-old inherits the armband from midfielder Ben Sheaf, who departed to join Wrexham at the end of the summer transfer window.

Grimes has prior experience with captaincy, having previously taken on the role for over five years while at Swansea City before joining the Sky Blues in January.

"It's an honour to be named captain of this football club," Grimes said.

"I'm looking forward to leading the team out this weekend for the first time. It's something I've done before in my past, but I feel like it feels a bit more special.

"To come into the group earlier in the year and now to be selected by the gaffer, it's truly a proud moment for me."

Defender Liam Kitching has been named vice-captain.

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Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards, Coventry City's Frank Lampard, West Bromwich Albion's Ryan Mason and Stoke City's Mark Robins have been nominated for the Championship's manager of the month award for August.

Edwards will be a strong contender as Boro occupy top spot after an unblemished winning start to the season, while Mason has enjoyed an unbeaten start in his first permanent managerial role with his Baggies side in second.

Lampard is also recognised as Coventry are yet to lose, while influential Sky Blues midfielder Victor Torp has earned a nomination for player of the month for his four goals in four matches.

Stoke City have another nominee in new signing Sorba Thomas, who has two goals and three assists across his four games, with the Potters who lie third under Robins.

Meanwhile, Norwich City striker Josh Sargent and Bristol City full-back Ross McCrorie round out the player of the month nominations after strong starts to their respective seasons.

Sargent has found the target five times in four games, while McCrorie delivered three assists and scored one goal in August.

The winners will be announced on Friday.

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield Wednesday forward Bailey Cadamarteri scored his first goal for Jamaica on Tuesday in just his second senior international appearance.

The 20-year-old made his debut for the Reggae Boyz earlier in the week during their 4-0 win over Bermuda, before scoring the opener during their 2-0 victory against Trinidad and Tobago.

Meanwhile, Coventry City teenager Kai Andrews made his senior debut for Wales during their 1-0 friendly loss to Canada.

West Bromwich Albion had an international debutant of their own after striker Aune Heggebo replaced Manchester City's Erling Haaland in added time during Norway's 11-1 thumping of Moldova, while Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Balazs Toth made his first start for Hungary during their 3-2 defeat by Portugal.

Rob Gurney
BBC CWR

On the face of it, Coventry City's squad isn't significantly stronger than it was at the end of last season, in fact you can make the argument it looks weaker.

Former club captain Ben Sheaf's departure to Wrexham on the last day of the window came as a surprise to many, as did the non-arrival of a replacement, leaving Jamie Allen and Josh Eccles to shoulder the burden if injuries to Victor Torp and Matt Grimes hit.

Equally, keeping star playmaker Jack Rudoni was vital, and to a lesser extent Milan van Ewijk and Bobby Thomas, while signing Luke Woolfenden from Ipswich in the closing hours looks like good business after allowing Luis Binks to go earlier in the window.

Woolfenden comes with considerably more experience, and much cheaper than Hull's Charlie Hughes, whose eight figure price tag clearly frightened off City in the end.

It's fair to say the jury is still out on goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, as well as full-backs Kaine Kesler-Hayden and Miguel Brau, while Brad Collins, Norman Bassette, Justin Obikwu and Raphael will all get game time out on loan.

But is there enough strength in depth? That's the nagging doubt for me.

"I wouldn't be surprised if at least one centre-back comes in by the end of play today."

BBC CWR's Lorna Bailey and Will Oelrich take a first look at Transfer Deadline Day as they discuss any late business for Coventry City.

And as Wrexham close in on Ben Sheaf for a reported £6.5m there could be more potential outgoings at the club.

Listen to the full episode and more on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

Coventry City manager Frank Lampard admits his overriding emotion was disappointment after his side were held to a 2-2 draw at Oxford United.

The Sky Blues twice led, but could not go on to secure a third successive Championship win.

Victory would have taken them second, but they sit fifth after Cameron Brannagan's second half free-kick salvaged a first point of the season for the Us.

"I'm disappointed to drop points," Lampard told BBC Radio CWR.

"They made the second half difficult for us without doubt, but the first half was probably as good as you can play without being two, three, four up. Our play was brilliant.

"The second half was different, fair play to them. They put it behind us, were more direct, opened the game up and we couldn't quite wrestle it back and never got that control again.

"Then we had that massive chance at the end so for sure, we're disappointed to have dropped two points."

Coventry City manager Frank Lampard says he is "happy" with his team's league performances and the feeling around the club, despite losing to Millwall in the second round of the EFL Cup.

The Sky Blues lost 2-1 to Millwall in Tuesday's cup game after a late penalty converted by Haji Wright wasn't enough to see them take the game to a penalty shootout.

Coventry are unbeaten in the league after winning two and drawing one of their opening three fixtures and visit Oxford on Saturday.

"Millwall was a game we never want to lose," Lampard told BBC Radio CWR. "We made a lot of changes which was important to do for different reasons, and it was a shame to lose it but we have to get straight back in to the mindset of the league and going into the international break.

"It is going to be a very tough match, and we felt that at Oxford last season.

"I'm happy with the league, other than the Hull game which we drew, which we probably should of won, but we probably weren't out at 100% - which can happen.

"Since then I have been happy with performance, with the attitude of the players and the feeling around the place.

"It is just the start, once we get through this game that is the first tiny block of the season done. I'm happy with what the players have put in, but it is always about the next game and not relying on things that have happened.

"At this point we are in a good place but we must stay on guard, as we need to stay motivated for every single game."

Coventry are the highest scorers in the division with 12 goals from their three games following a 5-3 win at Derby and 7-1 thumping of QPR last weekend.

"It is crucial to win football matches," added Lampard. "Scoring goals is great for the feeling in the game, like when we scored early against QPR and then we went on to score again - that feeling is great, but that won't always be the case."

Listen to the full interview with Frank Lampard and more on BBC Sounds

Oxford United will be hoping to bounce back from a humiliating 6-0 home defeat to Premier League side Brighton in the EFL Cup, with Gary Rowett's side also searching for their first league point of the season following three defeats so far.

Frank Lampard's Coventry City side come into the game with plenty of confidence after their 7-1 thrashing of Queens Park Rangers last weekend, despite being knocked out of the EFL Cup by Millwall in the week.

• Oxford United have won just four of their 13 EFL games against Coventry City (D1 L8), though three of those victories have come on home soil.

• Coventry City have won their past two league games against Oxford United, and will be looking to win three in succession in the EFL for the first time.

• Oxford have averaged just 35% of possession across their opening three Championship matches so far this season – the lowest share of any side in the competition.

• As well as scoring the most goals in the Championship so far this season (12), Coventry also top the charts for most shots (57), most shots on target (21) and most touches inside the opposition's penalty area (114). Across England's top four tiers this season, Coventry's Milan van Ewijk has provided the most assists amongst defenders (3), whilst he's now recorded five across his last five appearances for the Sky Blues, including last season's play-offs.

Image source, Getty Images

Coventry City captain Jake Bidwell says the reasons behind the team's first loss of the season are "easily preventable" and should be a relatively easy fix.

The Sky Blues 2-1 defeat by Millwall in the second round of the Carabao Cup this week was the first dent in their otherwise excellent start to the season, which has seen exhilarating wins over Derby County and Queens Park Rangers.

If there has been a weakness, it has been from set-pieces and both of Millwall's goals at The Den resulted from corners.

Failing to dealt sufficiently with long throw-ins and free-kicks have also led to the Sky Blues conceding this season.

"It's not the first time it's happened this season [conceding from a set-piece] so it's something to work on," Bidwell told BBC CWR. "But it's easily preventable from our point of view.

"Obviously you don't want to do it but it should be an easier fix than if a team's getting ripped apart every two minutes and you're thinking, 'I'm not really sure what to do here'.

"You can pinpoint it and we need to get better at it otherwise we'll lose more games than we should."

Defender Bidwell says improving their record in that area is not simply down to working on specialised drills in training - players needs the right attitude.

"It's starts with desire to do your job in the box, there is an understanding of different set-ups and different roles but we're all aware of it and its something that needs to stop pretty quickly," he added.

Coventry travel to Oxford United on Saturday in the Championship.

Image source, Getty Images

Frank Lampard wants his Coventry City side to find their flow again immediately after suffering their first defeat of the season.

Free-scoring Coventry, who have netted 12 goals in their last two Championship games, were beaten 2-1 by Millwall in the EFL Cup on Tuesday evening.

Lampard, who made eight changes to his team for the second round tie, says the Sky Blues cannot allow the loss to linger.

"We've had a good start in the league and we need to carry that on. This can't break the rhythm - I've said it to the players. We have to get back to where we were before this game," the Coventry manager told BBC CWR.

"We made changes because we have to because we don't have a big, big squad. We're early in the season and we have to be careful at this stage with the players to be able to play three games in a week.

"Maybe that's some part of why the performance looked like it did. That's for us to digest a little bit.

"We need to improve on that front. If players come in they have to keep the level and we didn't quite do that.

"Yes, we can make the excuse of changing the team but the game has now gone and we have to move back on to the league."

On Saturday, third-placed Coventry travel to Oxford United who are still looking for their first point of the season.

20 August 2005. Coventry City midfielder Claus Jorgensen scores the first goal at the newly opened Coventry Building Society Arena to put his side 1-0 up against Queens Park Rangers.

He celebrates with a bouncy, loping skip towards the corner flag.

23 August 2025. Coventry City's Haji Wright and Viktor Torp each score a double in the 7-1 demolishing of Queens Park Rangers as the club celebrates ending the 20-year wait to call the CBS Arena home.

They celebrate by skipping toward the jubilant fans inside the arena in homage to Jorgensen.

It's a full-circle moment, external which encapsulates the relief felt by supporters when owner Doug King was finally able to get the deal over the line for Coventry City FC to own the CBS Arena.

Jorgensen, now 49, is pleased his skipping celebration is being utilised once again.

"The amount of stick I've got for 20 years for that celebration... I've always had faith in it," he told BBC CWR.

"The celebration was a nice touch, they showed they had some sense of humour. [It makes] you feel connected to the club."

Listen to the full interview with Claus Jorgensen and more on BBC Sounds.