Coventry City

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Frank Lampard praised his Coventry side for regaining their momentum to overcome Stoke in injury time after allowing a two-goal lead to slip.

Victor Torp's quickfire double put the Sky Blues 2-0 up at half-time, only for Stoke substitute Sam Gallagher to respond with two goals of his own before Bobby Thomas rifled in a dramatic 97th-minute winner.

"Bobby has popped up with some big goals for us and that's what we're in football for," said Lampard.

"There will be times I sit here and I'll be disappointed and there's times when you know the Coventry fans have gone away with an amazing game and an amazing feeling at the end.

"I thought we started the second half pretty well but it felt cagey. You're always aware a goal changes the game and it did.

"Their second goal was offside as well but they had a bit of momentum which we grabbed back in that extra time, so I'm just really happy."

Four months after being sacked by the Sky Blues, Mark Robins returns to Coventry on Saturday (12:30 GMT) as Stoke visit the CBS Arena in a game with plenty at stake for both clubs.

With 11 Championship games remaining, the Sky Blues sit fifth on the back of eight wins in nine league games and are seeking to take a grip on a play-off spot.

The Potters are 20th, five points above the relegation zone, having picked up just four points from their past five league games.

• Coventry City have lost just two of their past nine league games against Stoke City (W4 D3), though have failed to score in three of their last four games against the Potters.

• After winning the reverse fixture 1-0 back in August, Stoke City are looking to record a league double over Coventry City for the first time since the 1979-80 season.

• Coventry City have won eight of their past nine league games (L1), winning each of their last four since a 2-0 defeat to table-topping Leeds.

• Since Frank Lampard's first game in charge, only Leeds (12) have won more Championship games than the Sky Blues (11).

• Stoke boss Mark Robins has picked up just 10 points in 10 league games as Potters boss (W2 D4 L4). He was in charge of Coventry for their 1-0 defeat to Stoke on the opening day of this season, with this his first league meeting against his former side since September 2015, a 1-0 win for Scunthorpe in League One.

• Six of Coventry City's past eight Championship goals have been headers and they've netted 17 headed goals this season, the most by a team in one season since 2021-22, when Cardiff (20) and Fulham (22) both scored as many.

Image source, Rex Features

The Sky Blues Fancast team have been discussing how to mark the return of former boss Mark Robins when Stoke City visit the CBS Arena on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

Robins was sacked on 7 November after just four wins in 14 Championship games left the Sky Blues 17th and level on points with Plymouth in the relegation zone.

His departure came just over 17 months since he guided the Sky Blues within one game of a Premier League return, with Coventry beaten by Luton Town on penalties in the Championship play-off final in May 2023, before an FA Cup semi-final defeat on penalties by Manchester United at Wembley last April.

Robins has since taken over at struggling Stoke, while his replacement Frank Lampard has overseen Coventry's rise to fifth in the Championship, with eight wins in their past nine games.

"I'm looking forward to seeing him again, if I get the chance," BBC CWR's Clive Eakin told the Sky Blues Fancast.

"I'll be interested to see how he responds. I think it's going to be difficult both for him and, to some extent, for Sky Blues fans.

"He's the manager of Stoke City and he will really wind up his own team's fans if he makes too much of waving to the Sky Blues fans."

Sports editor Rob Gurney added: "Just ignoring him is not the right way to treat him.

"A small acknowledgement when he comes out the tunnel [would be best]. He'll shake Frank Lampard's hand, obviously. A small acknowledgement from the fans, a small acknowledgement from him and that's it, then. On with the game.

"That's not going to detract from anything, from our players, from Frank Lampard, any of that.

"Robins was there for seven and a half years - particularly in modern football that is two lifetimes, never mind one."

You can listen to the full discussion, and more, on the Sky Blues Fancast

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Ephron Mason-Clark admits Coventry are "up there to be shot at" after climbing to fifth in the Championship but says the Sky Blues believe in themselves.

City's eighth win in nine league games saw them rise to their highest position this season, with 11 games to go.

In just his second start since missing eight games through injury, Mason-Clark put Coventry 2-1 up in a crazy 18-minute second-half spell at Oxford United, which featured four goals and City missing a penalty before running out 3-2 winners.

The 25-year-old told BBC CWR: "That stint there showed how together we are as a team. The support from the fans gave us that extra push that got us across the line.

"It's part of football. The fact none of us dropped our heads and that we looked after each other, just kept going, it just shows the character of everyone.

"You can see the squad is getting stronger and it's really competitive. We didn't play the greatest but we are happy to leave with a result."

Frank Lampard's side were 17th, just two points above the drop zone, when he took over from Mark Robins in late November.

"We've just got to keep that momentum going," said Mason-Clark. "Prepare for each game individually and not look too far ahead in the future. We are just staying as focused as we can.

"We're fighting for our places - every top team, whether in this league or above, has a squad which competes with each other.

"Fifth looks good but we are not focused on that, we are taking each game as it comes. (Other teams) can shoot at us if they want - the team we have got, we're confident, not cocky."

You can listen to the full interview and more on the Sky Blues Fancast.

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Coventry manager Frank Lampard said his side must remain focussed after victory over Oxford United saw them climb into the Championship play-off places.

Speaking to BBC Radio CWR after seeing his side win 3-2 on the road at the Kassam Stadium, the Sky Blues boss said: "We have made big strides there is no doubt. Performances and results and it's a good feeling.

"We just have to continue it because I say the same every week, the minute you rest on a good feeling it becomes difficult in this league. From where we were three months ago to now has been good work."

Coventry were twice pegged back by Oxford and had a penalty saved before Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scored the deciding goal.

Lampard said: "We were not at our best today but I think that can happen with these sorts of games. Possibly the early goal gave us a sense that we were really controlling the game but that went away.

"At this stage when we are trying to churn out results and points you've got to look at the team when you are not at your best can you win games? Three goals and we missed a penalty so we managed to do it.

"We lacked that element of control but I liked our reactions to the goals in the second half and the bits of quality."

Listen to Frank Lampard's full interview with BBC CWR on BBC Sounds

Coventry City could climb into the play-off places for the first time this season if they can avoid defeat at Oxford United on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

Frank Lampard's side have won three straight league games and seven of their past eight to move within a point of the top-six.

Oxford United's resurgence under new boss Gary Rowett seems to have fizzled out, with the U's taking just three points and scoring one goal in their past six league games, though they have built an eight-point cushion over the relegation zone.

• Oxford United have lost just one of their past five home league games against Coventry City (W3 D1), scoring 11 goals in total across that time.

• After winning the reverse fixture 3-2 in August, Coventry City will be looking to complete just a second league double over Oxford United, alongside the 1985-86 season.

• Oxford have failed to win any of their last six league games (D3 L3), failing to score in each of their last four. The U's haven't endured a longer run without scoring since a five-match stint in October 1996.

• Coventry have won seven of their last eight league games (L1), as many as across their prior 32 Championship outings combined since April last year.

• Since the weekend of Frank Lampard's first match in charge of Coventry at the end of November, only the current top three of Leeds, Sheffield United and Burnley have earned more points in the Championship than the Sky Blues (32).

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Coventry City may be timing their challenge for the Championship play-offs at just the right time, says former Republic of Ireland international Andy Reid.

The Sky Blues have won seven of their past eight league games to move within one point of the top six ahead of their trip to Oxford United on Saturday.

"The thing about the Championship is the games come so thick and fast you can rack up up a load of points quickly," former Nottingham Forest midfielder Reid told the BBC's Football Daily podcast.

"Coventry are the ones you look at and they've put themselves in with a great chance because of how quickly the games come where you can gather the momentum and fire up that league quickly."

Coventry were in 17th place and 10 points off the pace when Frank Lampard replaced Mark Robins as boss at the end of November and have only lost four of their 17 league games under the former England and Chelsea midfielder.

"The timing of the run is key like Nottingham Forest did a few years ago where you get into the play-offs with a good bit of form," Reid added.

"There is so much to be said for going into the play-offs where you've won six games on the bounce and you are battle-hardened."

Rob Gurney
Sports editor, BBC CWR

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I don't like saying "I told you so" about anything, but in Jack Rudoni's case, I'll make an exception – "I told you so!"

Regular consumers of our content on BBC CWR will know I was advocating signing him long before the Sky Blues got the then 22-year-old to put pen to paper last June.

I'd seen enough on several occasions, watching him play for Huddersfield, against both West Bromwich Albion and Coventry, to know he would fit right in at the CBS Arena.

I must admit, though, I'd begun to doubt myself, after a slow start to his City career, but now the traditional tortoise-like beginning to a campaign has given way to something more akin to the hare in full cry, although clearly us fans hope our story this season doesn't finish with the hare being overtaken at the last.

Anyway, enough of the animal analogies. Rudoni's numbers are very impressive.

In his 34 appearances, he's had 20 attempts on target, made 52 key passes, executed 26 dribbles, and most importantly, scored four goals (a tally that, admittedly, could be improved upon), while contributing 10 assists, from corners, free-kicks and open play.

Some fans have made the comparison with Callum O'Hare, and for me, it was all about end product with him. That aspect of his game improved towards the end of his Coventry career, but in my humble opinion, Rudoni is an upgrade.

Hopefully, the consistency he and his team-mates have discovered can continue; let's face it, when they're all fit and firing, a midfield of Matt Grimes, Ben Sheaf and Jack Rudoni is insane at Championship level, isn't it?

Coventry City midfielder Jack Rudoni says he is "buzzing" to have Ephron Mason-Clark back in the side.

Rudoni, who opened the scoring in Saturday's win against Preston, last scored against Hull City in December, also by heading in a Mason-Clark cross.

"I haven't had one for a while so I'm glad to get back on the scoresheet, I seem to like a header," Rudoni told BBC Radio CWR.

"When the ball goes wide to types like Ephron on the left, I know quality is going to be put in the box so I get myself into the areas. The gaffer literally said to me before we went out 'get yourself into the box' and that's what I've done."

The game marked the return of Mason-Clark to the starting XI, after he missed eight games with a hamstring strain before returning from the bench in their 1-0 win over QPR in February.

"You know what Ephron brings; quality, pace, power," Rudoni added.

"Me and him have a good connection on and off the pitch so I'm buzzing to have him back out there."

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Coventry City boss Frank Lampard said his side's 2-1 home win over bogey side Preston North End was one of the Sky Blues' best since he took charge - both for the football his side had played and the ending of a hoodoo lasting almost two decades.

The Sky Blues, who have still have never won a league game at Deepdale in 23 visits dating back to 1949, have also long since struggled at home against North End.

Iain Dowie was the Sky Blues boss the last time City beat North End in front of their own fans in September 2007 - just two years after moving into the Arena as their new home.

"It's nice to lay a few ghosts to rest," Lampard told BBC CWR. "It's a nice feeling for the fans when you've had something like that over you. I was aware of it.

"But we're on a good run. You get a good feeling in the stadium that the fans are really buying into it. And we have to continue to build on this.

"Performance-wise I'd say it's one of the best, although the scoreline probably doesn't quite reflect that. It should have been three or four by the time they scored to give us a difficult last 10 minutes.

"We'd dominated them. They hardly threatened us all afternoon, then they get a goal and suddenly we're nervous. It was uncomfortable in the stadium and it didn't need to be.

"Now we have almost everybody fit, we have different ways of getting goals."

Following the return of skipper Ben Sheaf and goal creator Ephron Mason-Clark, only US international striker Haji Wright is yet to return. And, with a free week now until they host Oxford United, Lampard is yet to declare as to whether that might be a good comeback date.

Image source, Rex Features

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard has been speaking to BBC CWR before the clash with Preston North End on Saturday. Here are the key takeaways from his press conference:

• Joint-top goalscorer Haji Wright is close to a return from an ankle injury which has kept him out since November.

• "He's certainly turned his corner and is training with us," Lampard said. "Now it's about getting his match fitness up ready to be able to contribute on the pitch because I know the important player he is. I haven't seen him for us, but I know what he is - he's very close now. He's a contender for the squad. I'll make that call today off the back of training and how he feels, whether it's this week or next week."

• Captain Ben Sheaf could also be available again this weekend after missing nine games with a calf injury. Lampard said: "He's probably a little bit ahead of Haji, purely because of less time out, in terms of match fitness. He could be in the squad this week - certainly next week."

• On Coventry having momentum after six wins from their past seven games, he said: "At the moment we're getting good results but there's a long way to go, so I think momentum is a great word when you're in it but it's a dangerous word to get complacent about. We're in a good place but we need to continue with it, which comes from work and focus as a group."

• On Preston, Lampard added: "I think it's a really difficult match for us, to not be underestimated. Aggressive team, man-to-man marking at times and high pressure. Physical team, very difficult to play against for different reasons, so I'm considering nothing about momentum and all these things, I'm considering Preston and I think it's a really hard game."

Coventry picked up their sixth win in seven Championship games last time out against Sheffield Wednesday after Ellis Simms' stoppage-time winner. A win that proved significant against a fellow play-off chaser as they are just now a point behind the top six.

Preston earned a 1-1 draw against Millwall in the their last outing missing the chance to put them four points off the play-off places in the Championship table.

Lilywhites boss Paul Heckingbottom completed the second of his two-match touchline ban following his red card in the win at Watford in January, meaning he will be back on the bench at the CBS Arena.

• Coventry City have failed to win any of their last 22 league games against Preston North End (D8 L14), keeping just two clean sheets in that time since a 2-1 win in September 2007.

• Since the start of the 2014-15 season, Preston North End have beaten Coventry City nine times in 11 attempts – their most joint-league wins against any side in that time.

• Since Frank Lampard's first Championship game in charge of Coventry, only Leeds (37), Burnley (32) and Sheffield United (32) have won more points in the division than the Sky Blues (30 – W9 D3 L4)

• Preston have won two of their last three away league games (L1), more than they managed in their previous 18 combined (W1 D7 L10).

• Coventry's Jack Rudoni has 10 Championship assists this season, the most by a Sky Blues player in a league season since 2022-23 when both Gus Hamer and Viktor Gyökeres assisted 10. His assists have won Coventry 14 points, the most of any Championship player this season.