Coventry City’s biggest setback this season could have been their biggest positive. Frank Lampard’s side were spooked at Wrexham on Halloween as their 12-game unbeaten run ended.
“It probably helped me more than anyone, because you get asked a lot about winning runs,” Lampard tells Sky Sports. “When results build up, you start to think about the risks of overconfidence and complacency. The defeat was a good reminder that if you are not fully focused, especially away from home, matches become difficult.
“We all understood that, but experiencing it reinforces the message. You take the positives and learn from it. Often you learn more in defeat. It is normal in this league to lose matches. What was unusual was how strong we were at the start of the season. The reaction after a setback is what matters. We handled it well and moved on quickly.”
It proved a minor blip. Coventry won their next two matches and, after 15 games, sit five points clear at the top of the Championship. Lampard has been encouraged by the response after last season’s late play-off semi-final defeat to Sunderland.
“I am so pleased with how we have started,” he says. “After the disappointment of last season the group returned with real determination. We are working with mostly the same squad as last season with only a few additions, and they have been excellent. Many people may have thought we could aim for the play-offs, but to be where we are now is a credit to the players. The challenge is to continue improving. We can still get better, but I am delighted with the efforts so far.”
Lampard approaches his first anniversary in charge, having succeeded Mark Robins last November. What once felt controversial is now a distant memory as his methods have produced strong results.
“I enjoy working here,” he says. “I enjoy the players and the environment. There are still areas we want to improve on and off the pitch, such as training ground details, recovery and preparation. I have experience from my playing and managerial career that helps me identify these things. I try to work hard every day and I learn all the time. You make decisions, some good and some you reflect on, and that is part of the job. I feel more calm in the role with experience. If we work hard, we usually get what we deserve.”
At 47, Lampard says he is more relaxed than during his playing days or his early managerial stint at Derby. His reputation helps, but the calmness of his approach also strengthens his authority.
“Experience and the environment help,” Lampard adds. “I trust the players because they drive themselves and understand what we want to be as a team. That trust brings calmness. You also learn that sometimes you can work just as well without immediate rewards, so you avoid getting carried away when things go right. My nature has never been to get too high. I always look ahead to the next challenge and try to guard against complacency. I want to stay demanding while keeping things steady.”
That steady approach is likely to continue until the job is done. There are 31 games to go, starting with West Brom on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, and Coventry are well placed to push on.
A standout feature of their campaign has been attacking output: 40 goals in 15 games, while no other side has reached 26. Lampard credits summer continuity for much of that success.
“Continuity has been a major positive,” he says. “When you work with the same group and carry the same message, progress is quicker. The players understand what we want and how we work. They are invested, on and off the pitch. The club values development and getting the most from the squad rather than constant changes. That stability helps. We must stay focused because momentum and good results mean nothing if complacency appears. We will keep working in the right way.”
Brandon Thomas-Asante leads the Championship with 10 goals, having never before scored more than 11 in a league season. Lampard highlights the collective work behind that tally and the tactical tweaks that have paid dividends.
“Our attacking play comes from hard work on the training ground and supporting the players,” he says. “We do not have a huge number of attacking options, so we have to rotate carefully. Losing Jack Rudoni was significant because he was vital last season, and we had to adapt. Several players stepped up. Brandon Thomas-Asante returned from preseason hungry and focused. We worked with Haji Wright on moving centrally, which has helped him. Our wingers have strong talent and we manage their minutes to keep them sharp.
“Overall, we improved how we build play, how we move the ball through the lines and how we attack in transition. The players have taken the ideas on board and applied them well. We want to keep that going and stay clinical when chances come.”