Coventry City

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Burnley keeper James Trafford has been named the Championship player of the month for January.

The 22-year-old did not concede a single goal, keeping six clean sheets and saving two Wilson Isidor penalties in the dying minutes to ensure a point against promotion-rivals Sunderland.

Burnley manager Scott Parker told the EFL website, external: "This is well deserved. James has been incredible all season, not just this month. Since I arrived he has been a top professional and a rock for the team."

Sky Sports' EFL pundit Don Goodman said: "On individual performance, it would be difficult to have a more perfect month than James Trafford.

"Burnley's defensive stability is going to be the key in their bid for promotion, and Trafford is central to that."

Coventry midfielder Jamie Allen, Oxford United defender Ciaron Brown and Sunderland keeper Anthony Patterson were also up for the award.

Coventry City host Premier League side Ipswich Town in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday afternoon (15:00 GMT) and will be looking to repeat their impressive run to the semi-final last season.

• The only previous FA Cup meeting between Coventry City and Ipswich Town came in the second round in 2019-20 with the Sky Blues advancing via a replay that they won 2-1 at Portman Road.

• Ipswich Town have won their past two games against Coventry City and could win three in a row against the Sky Blues in all competitions for the first time since September 2007 under Jim Magilton.

• Having lost to Manchester United on penalties in the semi-final last year, Coventry are looking to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup in consecutive campaigns for the first time since 2007-08/2008-09.

• Ipswich are looking to reach the FA Cup fifth round for just the second time in the 21st century, previously doing so in 2006-07. They were eliminated at this stage of the competition last season by non-league Maidstone United.

• Both of Coventry's past two FA Cup ties have gone to a penalty shootout, losing last season's semi-final against Manchester United before beating Sheffield Wednesday in this season's third round – no team has ever seen three consecutive FA Cup ties go to penalties before (first round onwards).

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Coventry midfielder Jamie Allen, Oxford United defender Ciaron Brown, Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson and Burnley stopper James Trafford are the four nominees for the Championship's player of the month award for January.

Allen was injured when Frank Lampard first took over at the Sky Blues but his return to action helped City climb the table with his energy, ability to break up play and influence leading to him being handed the captain's armband.

Oxford's form since Gary Rowett took over has caught the eye and Brown has been at the heart of their improved defensive displays, helping the U's keep three clean sheets in six games in January and netting a neat equaliser against Luton to boot.

Black Cats keeper Patterson helped Sunderland keep three clean sheets in five games during the month, saving a penalty at 0-0 in an eventual win against Sheffield United, producing a brilliant one-handed stop in the goalless draw at Burnley and helping preserve a 1-0 win at Derby.

Clarets keeper Trafford was unbeatable in January with a pristine record of six clean sheets with the highlights coming in that stalemate against Burnley's promotion rivals as he saved two Wilson Isidor penalties in the dying minutes against Sunderland as well as making a crucial late stop against Leeds.

Ged Scott at the CBS Arena
BBC Sport England

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Coventry City boss Frank Lampard insists that is important not to overreact to his side's humbling home defeat by Championship leaders Leeds United.

After winning their previous five games (four of them in the league), City were taught a footballing lesson, beaten by a scoreline of 2-0 which could have been much worse but for the visitors' wasteful finishing.

But Lampard told BBC CWR: "We shouldn't be too negative about it. They deserved to win. Leeds are top of the league for a reason.

"We've played the best team in this league and they've beaten us. When you play a team like Leeds, you just feel you're up against players used to a higher level. Sometimes you have to accept that.

"We've been on a good run but we knew this would be a tough game. You want to carry on winning but Leeds are in a good moment. It's one we have to take on the chin."

Lampard is also encouraged by the imminent return from injury of Ephron Mason-Clark, his star turn in his first few weeks in the job, US international Haji Wright, who is yet to kick a ball for him, and skipper Ben Sheaf.

And he was excited by the impact new signing Matt Grimes made on his debut as a second-half sub.

"We have big players coming back after injury over the next two or three weeks," Lampard added. "Ephron in the next week and Haji and Ben Sheaf in the next two weeks. And we had Matty Grimes come on and show his quality over the final half hour.

"We're not used to losing at the minute. We have to respond and make sure it doesn't have an effect on all our positive momentum.

"Does it change our attitude to what we need to do over the next 15 games? No. There's some things we didn't do brilliantly but we have to accept that nights like this can come. You just have to learn from them."

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On Tuesday we asked what you made of Coventry City's business in the transfer window.

It was a quiet window compared to much of the Championship, but Frank Lampard got his man in the form of Swansea midfielder Matt Grimes while he'll be hopeful of welcoming back some of his long-term injured, like Ben Sheaf, Haji Wright and Ephron Mason-Clark, as the Sky Blues seek to close on the play-off places.

Here are some of your responses:

Graham: It's not the amount of new players that count, but it's getting the quality in and they don't become available at every transfer window. I am pleased we got no 'so so' players in just to make up the numbers.

Owen: Grimes is a good buy but I expected more. I'd hoped for a couple of loans through Lampard's connections at least, especially with so many injuries already this season. Saying all that I'm glad we didn't lose any players. I hoped King would put some money in the box but maybe its better to spend in the summer.

Edward: Fair dues to DK for sticking to his "no loanees" policy. However, I think such a blanket ban is inappropriate. Surely there must be room for loan contracts with option-to-buy clauses? A sort of try before you buy basis, so to speak.

Dave: I would say it's been a very good transfer window. We've signed a Championship-proven, experienced midfielder to go along with a forward line finally finding some form whilst we are still waiting for Haji and EMC to recover from injury and a defence that has finally gelled as a unit, despite lacking the numbers and individual quality. Five wins from our last five games in all competitions, what more can you ask for?

Ian: Good bit of business. Just what we needed. One of the best midfielders in the Championship, with lots of experience to help out the younger lads. Well done DK and FL.

Mitchell: I think we had a decent transfer window. We got a good Championship-proven player in Matt Grimes and didn't lose any key players. The squad already has great depth, and with players such as Haji Wright, Ben Sheaf and Mason-Clark to return from injuries, they are like new signings to the squad.

Overall, Frank Lampard and co have a great chance to push for the playoffs!

Richard: I would have expected a little more action in the transfer window, but the capture of Matt Grimes has probably used our money up - but also looks like it's a good thing. FL's initial headache will be who to play Grimes with. Even without anymore spending we have players to come back and as Simms and Asante are getting better it seems a shame to rush Haji Wright or Sheaf back in - these are good headaches for FL.

Aaron: Bringing in Matt Grimes seems a solid bit of business given his stats for Swansea this season and losing him clearly made a difference for them last week. I would have liked to have brought in a more experienced defender as well though. Things seemed to have tightened up at the back but an old head back there, especially with a young keeper, would have given us that extra bit of assurance.

I think we will see a massive difference when Haji Wright is back. He is our best and most potent goal scorer and the runs he makes will start to open up defences and leave space for others.

If we can push on and take points off some of the big guns like Leeds on Wednesday then top-six could end up being a very comfortable finish for us.

Image source, Getty Images

It's time to talk about Coventry City's transfer business...

The capture of Swansea City's long-serving midfielder Matt Grimes was seen as a "statement of intent" by BBC Radio CWR Sports Editor Rob Gurney.

It took three bids from the Sky Blues for 29-year-old Grimes to become manager Frank Lampard's first signing as Sky Blues boss.

It was a quiet window compared to much of the Championship, but with Lampard hopeful of welcoming back some of his long-term injured, like Ben Sheaf, Haji Wright and Ephron Mason-Clark, he has held on to Brandon Thomas-Asante, despite reported interest elsewhere.

Selection headaches are to come in the second half of the season for Lampard as City tries to make a charge towards the two play-off places that seem very much up for grabs.

We want you to tell us what you think about the Sky Blues' transfer dealings...

Let us know your thoughts here.

Leeds will seek to extend their lead at the top of the Championship when they visit Coventry on Wednesday night (19:45 GMT).

Whites are on a 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions, last suffering defeat in November, but the Sky Blues are aiming for a fifth straight win in the league which would take them level on points with the play-off places.

• Coventry City have won both of their past two home league games against Leeds United, and will be looking to win three in succession for the first time since September 1981.

• Leeds United have lost just three of their past 21 league games against Coventry City (W11 D7), though all three of those defeats have come away from home.

• Coventry remain unbeaten at home in the Championship under Frank Lampard in six matches (W4 D2), the longest unbeaten start at home in the league by a manager at the club since Jimmy Hill in 1961-62 (first 7).

• Leeds United have kept a clean sheet in three of their past four away league games, just one fewer than their opening 10 Championship matches on the road this term (4).

• Since losing each of his first three managerial games against Leeds United in all competitions from August 2018 to May 2019, Coventry's Frank Lampard has since won three of his last four against the Whites (D1).

Ged Scott
BBC Sport England

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Coventry City boss Frank Lampard said his strikers Ellis Simms and Brandon Thomas-Asante had every right to feel happy - and opposite number Luke Williams called them the "difference between the two teams" - as the Sky Blues eased to a 2-0 victory at Swansea.

Following a fourth straight league win, due to first-half goals from Simms and a Thomas-Asante stunner, Coventry are 11th, only three points shy of the play-offs, heading into Wednesday's home date with Championship leaders Leeds United.

"We're on a good run," Lampard told BBC CWR. "But I'm not getting too carried away because I know things can flip very quickly in football and we play the best team in the league on Wednesday night.

"They were two really good goals. The second was fantastic. It was instinctive. Probably nobody else in the stadium thought he'd take it on. But the quality of his technique and execution made it very special. He deserves to have a big smile on his face.

"Eight or 10 games ago we weren't winning headers up front or holding up the ball, but you can now see the difference. It has to continue and it can get even better. They have to be a threat when they play together up front."

Summer signing Thomas-Asante, reportedly a target for other Championship clubs in this window, might not have been playing at all but for the ankle injury that has kept out top scorer Haji Wright since early November. The US international is yet to figure under Lampard, but is back in training and getting close to a return.

Williams admitted: "The Coventry front two caused us a lot of problems. They were the big difference between the two teams. We weren't able to cope with them."

While Swansea fans booed their side off both at half-time and at the final whistle, most of the Welsh anger was aimed at their board for selling skipper Matt Grimes to Coventry on Friday.

Grimes sat the game out - not needed by his new club - but he was certainly missed by his old club. "It's very difficult to be the same type of team without Matt Grimes," added Williams. "But the best side won."

Coventry's first win in South Wales since beating Cardiff 1-0 in October 2022 was described by Lampard, who made his league debut for Swansea almost 30 years ago when on loan from West Ham United, as "a very complete performance".

"Everything about the performance, on and off the ball, was good. Defensively we were spot on. All the things you want to win away from home we did."

Rob Gurney
Sports editor, BBC CWR

Image source, Rex Features

As statement-of-intent signings go, Matt Grimes is right up there with any The Sky Blues have made in recent years, certainly in a January transfer window.

I appreciate the bitterness from the Swansea end, but timing in life isn't always ideal, is it? Whatever you do for a living, or even outside of your professional environment.

The offer may not have still been there in the summer, and I know Coventry are a Championship team as well, but they're clearly clubs who appear to be on different trajectories at the moment.

Swansea had back-to-back play-off heartbreaks against Brentford in 2020 and 2021; since then though, they've finished 15th, 10th and 14th.

By comparison, The Sky Blues were promoted as League One champions in 2020, and were a penalty kick away from the Premier League in 2023, only to be robbed of the greatest FA Cup comeback of all time in the semi-final against Manchester United by a hairline VAR decision nine months ago.

The pull of Frank Lampard can't be underestimated either – one of the greatest England midfielders of his generation, who has tangibly improved Victor Torp already, has clearly been a big factor for Grimes.

What's not to like about getting the opportunity to work daily with someone of his pedigree?

And then there are Grimes' own numbers – top of every passing metric in the Championship, as well as carrying the ball the most, and the furthest.

Swansea's loss is undoubtedly Coventry's gain; whether the immediate benefit will be felt this season, or next, he's a player with all the traits that many of his contemporaries don't have.

He may well be a better version of Ben Sheaf – but that's a story for a different day…

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Coventry City first-team coach Rhys Carr has left after seven months working for the Championship club.

Carr joined the Sky Blues' coaching staff in June from Wolves as part of then boss Mark Robins' summer backroom reshuffle.

He then took over as interim boss for three games between the sacking of Robins on 7 November and Frank Lampard's appointment three weeks later, when Carr returned to his position as first-team coach.

But, in a statement, the Sky Blues said that "the club and Rhys have now mutually decided to part ways".

The statement added: "Coventry City would like to wish Rhys the best of luck for the future and thank him for his contribution to the club, including his work with the players and staff day-to-day at Ryton and his period as interim head coach.

Prior to joining City, Carr had been elite player development coach for two years at Wolves, spent six months as lead professional development phase coach with Bristol Rovers and almost two years as individual development coach at Sheffield United.

City currently sit 12th in the Championship, six points shy of a play-off place, having lost just three of their first 13 games under Lampard.

Coventry City travel to Swansea City on Saturday afternoon, looking to extend their three-game winning run.

The Sky Blues are 12th in the Championship and six points off the play-off spots, having lost just one of their past seven games (W4 D2).

Swansea have slipped to 17th, seven points above the drop zone, after a run of five games without victory (D1 L4).

• Swansea City are unbeaten across their past 18 league games against Coventry City (W8 D10), since a 3-1 away defeat in October 1981.

• Coventry City have failed to win any of their past 12 away league games against Swansea City (D6 L6), failing to score more than one goal in any of those matches.

• Swansea have lost each of their past three league games and will be looking to avoid losing four in succession for the first time since April 2021.

• Coventry have won each of their past three league games and could win four in succession for the first time since November 2022.

• Since a 1-0 away win over Cardiff in August 2007, Coventry have won just one of their 17 away league games against sides from Wales (D7 L9).

The potential arrival of Swansea City captain Matt Grimes is "exactly what Coventry City need" to bolster the midfield, according to Sky Blues fan Anthony Hornsby.

Coventry have seen two bids for Grimes knocked back but have returned with a third offer and remain hopeful of signing the 29-year-old before the transfer window closes on Monday.

"You want him on your team rather than against you every single time, don't you? And what a fantastic intent of signing that is as well," Hornsby told BBC CWR's Sky Blues Fancast.

"I'm just waiting for the news for him to come. I'll be very disappointed if he doesn't. It's exactly what we need.

"He's very similar to the capabilities of [Jack] Rudoni but he just sits that little bit deeper, so it fills that midfield amazingly and you just pick the third player to go with him and it compliments the other two.

"He's about ball retention and getting the team moving. We've spent years and years chasing the ball around against Swansea, not being able to get it off them and thinking 'why can't we play like this?'

"Yes he is 29, but I don't see that as a negative. I see that as an absolute necessity in what we need."

On Coventry's strong run of form, winning three Championship games in a row, Hornsby added: "How many times have we played well and not won?

"At the minute, while the build is happening, take the three points because all that is going to happen is it's going to snowball. The confidence is going to come."

Listen to the Sky Blues Fancast in full on BBC Sounds.

Coventry City have submitted a third bid for Swansea City captain Matt Grimes, 29, who is valued at around £4m by the Welsh club. (WalesOnline), external

Want more transfer news and rumours from the EFL? Read Wednesday's gossip column here.

Coventry City defender Jake Bidwell said the team spirit is improving after a "great couple of weeks" with three wins on the bounce in the Championship.

The Sky Blues beat Watford 2-1 at the weekend to follow on from league victories over Blackburn and Bristol City, as well as progressing from the FA Cup third round against Sheffield Wednesday.

"Everyone is really pleased," Bidwell told BBC CWR.

"That spirit you get, there's nothing like winning games to produce that really. There's nothing like coming through those last few minutes when you're grinding it out together.

"These things are massive to help build momentum."

Bidwell, who signed a new two-and-a-half year contract with Coventry last week, said he is "enjoying" a slightly different role of being deployed at left wing-back under Frank Lampard.

"As I've said before, I love playing whether it's wing-back, left-back, centre-back," the 31-year-old added.

"Wherever it is, I'm just happy to be out there contributing with the lads and when you're winning games, it's even better."

Listen to Jake Bidwell's interview on BBC Sounds

Coventry City manager Frank Lampard called Victor Torp the "man of the day" after the midfielder scored both his side's goals in their 2-1 victory against Watford.

The Dane tapped in Jack Rudoni's low cross in the 32nd minute lead to give the hosts the lead before accurately lofting in a free-kick into the top-left corner with 15 minutes remaining.

"I told him he'd score today, I just had a feeling," Lampard told BBC Radio CWR.

"He's playing so well and he's technically so good. His all round game is so good at the minute, on and off the ball.

"He's been a pleasure to work with in terms of how he trains, his low maintenance, and I think everyone in the ground when that free kick came, and it was closer, expected it to go in."

Prior to today, Torp had only managed two goals and two assists since moving to the Midlands a year ago but the 25-year-old reminded the Sky Blues faithful that he has the quality to give plenty more in a Coventry shirt.

"He's the man of the day, without a doubt and deservedly so," added former Chelsea and England midfielder Lampard.

Torp's contribution means Coventry move into the top half of the Championship table on 38 points after 29 games, with Lampard's side having won the last three consecutive matches.