Frank Lampard makes play-off admission as Coventry City players ‘very clear’ as they face biggest game yet

Frank Lampard makes play-off admission as Coventry City players ‘very clear’ as they face biggest game yet

As the team gets ready for their biggest match of the season, Frank Lampard maintains that his Coventry City players are “very clear” about the challenge they face.

The Sky Blues would secure their spot in the Championship play-offs and be three games away from promotion to the Premier League if they defeated Middlesbrough at the CBS Arena on Saturday (12.30).

Since the 46-year-old took charge at the end of November, when the team was only two points out of the bottom three and 17th in the league, the team has made significant progress.

When asked if a top six finish was possible during his first press conference, Lampard said that he didn’t rule it out.

Before the final game of the regular season, the head coach said, “Yeah, and that’s been the ride that we’ve been on.” “I wasn’t sure at the time.

It would have been a stretch, in my opinion, to be in 17th place and say you were going to qualify for the playoffs.

Was I right? Most likely not, as I have enough experience to understand that there is a lot of work ahead of you and that you are only 17 for a reason.

I believe I phrased it this way: “You want to move up the table and it will be step by step.” It’s fantastic that we’ve taken action and have given ourselves a chance. But obviously, the work isn’t finished yet.

He responded, “Well, there’s no point in hiding what’s on the game,” when asked if he was approaching this match as a playoff match. It’s obvious that we have control over it, but the match is extremely difficult.

As we do each week, we must retain a relatively clear head coming into the game and concentrate solely on the opponent and our goals.

Depending on other outcomes, a tie might prolong City’s season, but a win ensures it. Does that make matters more complicated?

“It might work,” he acknowledged. “A lot can change, so we’ll need to be aware that there will be different permutations on the day.”

Lampard responded, “I don’t know,” when asked if it is advantageous for Boro to have to defeat City in order to advance to the playoffs because they are unlikely to come and park the bus. There are numerous strategies to try to win a football game, which lasts for more than ninety minutes.

We are familiar with Middlesbrough’s playing style and approach. Who knows how that will impact them, as they are a good club that has been up and around it all season.

We need to focus on what they are, what we believe they will be, the members of their team, their group, and their thoughts.