Coventry City

Image source, Rex Features

Coventry City manager Frank Lampard is taking nothing for granted despite opening up a healthy lead at the top of the Championship.

The Sky Blues are five points clear of second-placed Middlesbrough and have a seven-point cushion in the automatic promotion spots from Stoke City in third.

Lampard says "it doesn't matter" who you play and that there is "absolutely no consideration" about where opposing teams are in the table.

"They're all tough and you analyse them as they come," Lampard told BBC CWR ahead of the visit of West Brom on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

"It will be a difficult game, they won their last game. I can see they are a well organised team. Very hardworking team, good players on the ball, like to have possession. So we may expect that at times, even at the CBS.

"We have to approach it in absolutely the right way because it's going to be a tough game for sure."

Lampard wouldn't be drawn on any specific team news but said Ghanaian forward Brandon Thomas-Asante and USA striker Haji Wright will be assessed having returned on long haul flights following international duty from South Korea and the US respectively.

"We just have to manage that and it's obviously my call in terms of how ready they are for the match because we're also going into a three-game week, which is something to take into consideration," he added.

Listen to Lampard's press conference in full on BBC Sounds.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto has revealed he isn't a fan of international breaks interrupting the Championship schedule.

The 29-year-old, who has played twice for Japan told BBC Radio CWR: "To be honest it's difficult to play after the international break because we have [time] off and we need to prepare to play and work hard.

"I like to play a lot of games in the week so I'm ready, and we are ready."

Following November's break, Coventry are set to play three fixtures in the space of a week with West Brom and Middlesbrough at home before travelling to Charlton next Saturday.

Sakamoto added: "I don't like international breaks. I don't need a rest."

You can listen to more from Sakamoto on Lampard, life in Coventry and more on BBC Sounds.

If you're wondering where your team is going to finish in the Championship this season, you no longer need to worry.

Well, kind of.

Opta's supercomputer has worked its magic to figure out the most likely final league position of every team - and the chances each has of being promoted, making the play-offs or getting relegated.

Who is most likely to win automatic promotion?

It will come as no surprise that leaders Coventry are heavy favourites for the title (69.3%) and also have the highest chance of automatic promotion (84.2%) to the Premier League.

The next most likely to go straight up, with a 30.8% chance, are Middlesbrough. Despite currently sitting seventh and six points behind Boro in second, Ipswich are expected to be the third favourites for a top two finish (18.9%) followed by Stoke (14.1%).

Even though they've each enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, Preston (10.3%), Hull (6.1%) and Millwall (8.3%) have slimmer chances of finishing in an automatic promotion spot.

Who will make the play-offs?

Image source, Rex Features

Even if Coventry don't win automatic promotion, Opta's supercomputer has given the Sky Blues a 97.9% chance of a top-six finish, suggesting it's almost guaranteed.

Each of Middlesbrough, Ipswich, Preston and Stoke are expected to finish in a minimum of a play-off position at least one in two times.

Hull might feel the hardest done by as they sit fifth currently, but are said to have less chance (32.3%) than Millwall (38.8%) and Charton (32.4%), who are below them in the table.

The most likely of the chasing pack to make a surge up the table are 12th-placed Leicester City, who have been given a 31.8% chance of finishing in the top six and are more likely than Bristol City (28.9%), Derby (22.9%) and Birmingham (19.9%).

Last season's beaten play-off finalists Sheffield United have just a 1.8% chance of recovering their season to make the play-offs again, while relegated Premier League side Southampton (12.5%) aren't likely to either... if you trust the supercomputer!

Who is going down?

Image source, Rex Features

It's probably not hard to work out who is most likely to finish bottom and be relegated to League One.

Sheffield Wednesday's 12-point deduction, which has left them 17 points adrift of safety on -4 points, means they're pretty much nailed on to finish bottom (84.8%) - and failing that, are almost certain to go down (98.2%).

Second from bottom Norwich are the next most likely candidates to fall through the trap door (58.5%) but Sheffield United, who currently occupy the final relegation spot, have just a 22.4% chance of going down and are considered more likely to stay up than Oxford (37.8%) and Portsmouth (31.3%).

Championship leaders Coventry City return to action after the international break when they welcome West Bromwich Albion to the CBS Arena on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

Back-to-back wins before the break gave the Sky Blues a five point lead at the summit and effectively an eight-point cushion in the race for automatic promotion thanks to their astonishing goal difference of +27 after 15 games.

The Baggies are 14th and 14 points worse off already, though they did end a four-game winless streak and goal drought as they came from behind to beat Oxford United at The Hawthorns last time out.

• Coventry City won their last league game against West Brom but haven't won consecutive games against the Baggies since September 1985.

• West Bromwich Albion have won four of their past five league matches against Coventry (L1) but did lose 2-0 against the Sky Blues in April.

• Coventry City have 34 points in 15 Championship games this season (W10 D4 L1). Since 2004/05, eight of the nine teams with 34+ points at this stage of a campaign have won automatic promotion, Watford are the only exception in 2007/08 (35 pts, finished 6th).

• West Brom have had 121 shots when they've been drawing in Championship games this season, the most of any side, which works out at 14.4 shots per 90 minutes. However, when they've been winning, the Baggies have faced 32 more shots than they've had themselves (48 for, 80 against) and are averaging 8.6 shots per 90.

• Having scored four times in 38 Championship appearances last season, Coventry's Brandon Thomas-Asante is the joint leading scorer this season with 10 in 15 games. He has found the net in each of his past four home appearances for the Sky Blues.

"Based on the clips you see of Rudoni and how he behaves, he must be chomping at the bit to get back into the team.

"But I will say I don't want it to be a big rush to get him back because I don't him to get hurt again. Luckily, we've done alright without him, so we can put a little bubble around him."

BBC Radio CWR's Will Oelrich is joined by Coventry City fans Sam and Ged to discuss whether to rest US international Haji Wright, the upcoming game against West Bromwich Albion and the possible return of Jack Rudoni.

Listen to the full episode of the Sky Blues Fancast and more Coventry City content on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Coventry City forward Brandon Thomas-Asante made his first senior start for Ghana as they were beaten 2-0 by Japan in an international friendly in Toyota.

The 26-year-old played 75 minutes for the Black Stars before being replaced by Christopher Bonsu Baah.

It was Thomas-Asante's sixth appearance for Ghana and he has scored one goal, which came in a 2-1 Unity Cup defeat by Nigeria in May.

Ghana, who have qualified for next year's World Cup, will face South Korea in another friendly next Tuesday.

Image source, Getty Images

Alongside his commanding presence, Brighton loanee Carl Rushworth's "outstanding character" also "shines through", says BBC CWR's Coventry City commentator Rob Gurney.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper has impressed on his loan spell so far with the Sky Blues, helping them to the top of the Championship table and breaking a club record along the way for the number of minutes without conceding a goal.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, Gurney said: "One of the things that Oggy [former Coventry goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic] likes about him is his presence and the fact he takes command of situations.

"You rarely see these days keepers coming for crosses and trying to catch crosses. Modern keepers try to punch everything instead of catching it. Carl is excellent at taking and catching crosses, and holding on to them, rather than trying to just clear his penalty area with punches.

"He has also made some tremendous individual saves. There was one in the Blackburn match, while it was still 0-0, when the ball was arcing towards the top corner and he made a miraculous save to claw it out.

"We were sitting with the perfect view of it and Oggy was purring watching it because it was a tremendous stop. That has been peppered throughout his performances so far.

"He is such a likeable person too. For 24 years of age he is incredibly mature. He will talk to you as though he is 34, never mind 24. We have done two or three interviews with him and what an outstanding character he is as a person, as well as a footballer, has shone out.

"If you asked 99.9% of Coventry fans right now, they would love to sign Carl Rushworth permanently, but clearly Brighton have got a lot to say in what happens going forward and he will have a lot to say on what happens going forward. If Coventry do get promoted, it will be interesting to see what happens.

"After a slightly sticky start, he is doing magnificently well in goal and has endeared himself to the fans already."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, Shutterstock

Championship leaders Coventry City must "stay hungry" in their pursuit of promotion this season says full-back Jay Dasilva.

The in-form Sky Blues maintained their five-point cushion at the top over Middlesbrough after beating Stoke City - who were in second before kick-off - at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday.

Ephron Mason-Clark's 86th-minute strike was enough to edge out a dogged Potters side, revitalised this season under former Coventry boss Mark Robins.

"We acknowledge that we've had a great start but it's something we need to keep striving to do," Dasilva told BBC CWR.

"There's a lot of football still to be played and stay focused and hungry to keep winning games."

Coventry, who are attempting to return to the Premier League for the first time since dropping out of the top flight in 2000-01, have won 10 of their 15 games and are now seven points clear of third-place Stoke.

"He's someone who's been there and done that and knows exactly what we need to do," Dasilva added, of head coach Frank Lampard.

"He keeps us focused and reminds us there's still a lot of football to play and for us to stay hungry, stay professional, keep our standards and keep going."

Coventry are next in action in another Midlands derby against West Bromwich Albion on 22 November (12:30 GMT) after the international break.

"If Patrick Bamford is still a free agent in November, there's probably a reason why.

"If he was good enough, I don't know why he's not with a club."

The Sky Blues Fancast team discuss a victory over Stoke City, an impressive beginning to the season, and whether Coventry City might have former Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford among their ranks in January after joining the side for training.

Listen to the full episode of the Sky Blues Fancast and more Coventry City content on BBC Sounds.

Will Perry
BBC Final Score

Image source, Shuttershock

Those 3,000+ Coventry supporters at Stoke were celebrating like they had sealed promotion at the final whistle as Frank Lampard ran over and punched the air in front of them.

Fair play to them - they are not there yet but there is so much belief in that Sky Blues squad.

Lampard has got them cooking on gas and what a reaction after losing their first game in the Championship this season at Wrexham - a 3-1 win over Sheffield United and then coming to the bet365 Stadium and stealing the points late on at a huge promotion rival.

It is amazing to think it's been 24 years since Coventry last played in the Premier League, so long ago it was called the Premiership.

They have had to endure time in Leagues One and Two as well since then but they lead the way in the Championship by five points and face second-place Middlesbrough a week on Tuesday.

Let's be Frank, it could not get any better right now Cov fans, could it?

Image source, Getty Images

Boss Frank Lampard said Coventry City were "brilliant" in their dramatic 1-0 victory over Stoke City, thanks to Ephron Mason-Clark's late winner.

Lampard told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire: "It's a great feeling to win like that because it's a tough fixture.

"The work of the players and togetherness and the tactical approach was amazing, particularly off the ball. We thoroughly deserved it against a very good team.

"We dealt with the game brilliantly from start to finish.

"Ephron has a big bang on his face. It was an outstanding goal for the skill level of it. Not every player can do that. He was really good today. He came up against a really good opponent but Ephron kept going at him.

"They try to play. We pressed and we stopped them getting any form of control. The threat of their wingers is always there but our full-backs were amazing but it's hard to single our players.

"We can't get overexcited we are winning a lot of games but we can't think we have cracked it."

Frank Lampard says Coventry will need to rely on their strength of character if they are to achieve their ultimate goal of promotion.

After suffering a first defeat of the Championship campaign at Wrexham last Friday, the Sky Blues fell 1-0 down to Sheffield United at the CBS Arena on Tuesday, only for three second-half goals to turn the game on its head and move City four points clear at the top of the table

Lampard told BBC CWR: "We've had a good start to the season and a lot of games we've made them go our way, but it's not realistic to say everything will go your way all the time.

"You cannot get to where we want to get to without having games when you are tested, you go down, you find it hard to break a team down - those challenges are there for a reason.

"The players can take a good feeling out of turning the game around, they showed a lot of strength of character and quality to do it, and we'll need that."

Coventry head to closest-challengers Stoke on Saturday (15:00 GMT) with Mark Robins guiding the Potters to three straight wins, with nine goals scored and just one conceded, a year to the week since he departed the Sky Blues after more than seven years at the helm.

"They are a strong team, had a great week, playing well, scoring goals, a position we have been in before," Lampard said.

"Absolute credit to Mark, his legacy and status at this club remains no matter what because of the context and the difficulties at the club in that time. Time moves on but that never gets lost.

"There is full respect between myself and Mark and both clubs, we just have a game to play.

"Nothing is given, we have to go and fight for it, we have got ourselves in a really good position to this point but they are a really good team and it's going to be tough."

Lampard revealed midfielder Jack Rudoni is back on the grass following his calf injury and should be back to face West Brom on 22 November after the international break.

Image source, Opta

Game of the weekend? Not many would argue. Table-topping Coventry head to closest challengers Stoke City, managed by their former boss Mark Robins on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Sky Blues bounced back from their first defeat of the season at Wrexham last Friday by coming from behind to beat Sheffield United 3-1 at the CBS Arena on Tuesday night.

Frank Lampard's men sit four points clear of Stoke, who moved into second courtesy of a 3-0 win at Oxford United on the same night, the Potters' third straight win, with nine goals scored and only one conceded in that run.

Stoke have the best defence in the division, with only nine goals against them in 14 matches while Coventry are the leading scorers, by a mile, with 39 and a goal difference of +26 - more than double any other side in the division.

• Stoke have won just one of their past six home league games against Coventry (D1 L4), though it was a 1-0 victory in this exact fixture last season.

• Since their return to the Championship in 2020, Coventry have lost just two of their 10 league meetings with Stoke (W5 D3).

• Stoke have won their past three league games – they last won four in a row in August 2024 (the 4th game of which was against Coventry), while they last did so in the same season in December 2011.

• Coventry have scored at least twice in each of their past eight league games – only once have they ever done so in nine in a row, with that run coming back in March/April 1932.

• Coventry's Brandon Thomas-Asante is the highest scorer in the Championship this season, with his 10 goals already just one short of his best return in a Football League campaign (11 in 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24).

Coventry City's comeback win against Sheffield United was an example of how they can fight back from adversity, says defender Bobby Thomas.

The Championship leaders went 1-0 down after former Coventry defender Sam McCallum scored for the struggling Blades in the 25th minute.

That was only the second time this season City had conceded the first goal in a league game but Frank Lampard's side responded in style after half-time.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto equalised after 49 minutes, Thomas headed in from a corner on the hour before the Championship's top scorer Brandon Thomas-Asante scored his 10th goal of the season in injury time to seal victory.

"Through the season we're not going to be coming in two, three-nil up every time, we are going to face adversity and today was an example of that," Thomas told BBC CWR.

"Coming in at 1-0 down, we managed to react to that and put what happened in the first half behind us and changed our view on the game. I thought we did that very well.

"Once we got the first goal, the game kind of flipped and we were on top. It seemed to change the game."

The win - Coventry's ninth in 14 games - kept them four points clear of Stoke City, who they face at the bet365 Stadium in a mouth-watering prospect on Saturday.

"Should be a good game, first v second, hopefully we'll come out on top," Thomas added.

"It'll be tough. They're flying at their place - let's see what happens."

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard praised his side's character after they came back from 1-0 down to beat Sheffield United 3-1 and go four points clear at the top of the Championship.

"I'm delighted with how the players have managed to win that game. It was absolutely deserved of course but it was brilliant character and when you think of the details of the game and how it went we were outstanding," he told BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire.

"I know there was a personnel change [at half-time] but it was more like the feeling of the team and can we come out with a load of force and energy. A tactical change is one thing but can we as a team run a bit more, play forward a bit more and be a bit more threatening and we absolutely did do that.

"It was great to get an early goal because that gives the players and the stadium a real belief.

"They're no mugs at all. They're a good team regardless of their league position and they wont finish anywhere near where they are because they've got good players."