After the agony of last year’s play-off heartbreak against Sunderland, Frank Lampard’s men look like automatic promotion contenders this time around.
Coventry’s 0-4 dismantling of Millwall on Wednesday felt like more than just three points. It was a rampant attacking display, a fourth consecutive clean sheet and a continuation of an unbeaten start that ensures the Sky Blues are among just three clubs across the top four divisions in England yet to taste defeat this season.
The tone for the campaign was arguably set back in the second game of the season. After opening with a goalless draw at home to Hull, Coventry recorded wild 5-3 win away at Derby County with five different players finding the net. That was their first victory in their first away league game of a campaign since 2017 and their first success in ten visits to Pride Park. To do it against Lampard’s former club only sharpened the narrative: this was a Sky Blues side intent on rewriting their recent history.
A hallmark of Lampard’s career as both player and manager has been a desire to operate high up the pitch, and this Coventry side embody that philosophy. They’ve recorded the second-most possessions won in the final third this season (40), while ranking second-lowest for possessions won in their own defensive third. The passing numbers back this up too: Coventry have completed the second-highest number of passes in the final third, underlining their commitment to playing in advanced areas.
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Speaking on his arrival last year, Lampard expressed a desire to deliver an intensity for the fans and that’s something his team are certainly delivering on at the moment. “It always rests on the players to produce an energy and an urgency that the fans will relate to. For me, that is always the first thing I demand.”
While possession is always a key element of any Lampard side, possession for its own sake isn’t the obsession. Nine sides have made more passes and six average more of the ball. Instead, the Sky Blues look for active possession: moving the ball with purpose to create chances. The result has been a league-high 92 chances created, unsurprisingly leading to more shots (138) and shots on target (44) than any other side in the division. Even in the frustrating 1-1 draw against Norwich, where an injury-time equaliser salvaged a point, Coventry racked up 28 attempts with a total Expected Goals of 4.02 – a performance that showed their relentlessness even without the three points to back it up.
Last season Lampard often toggled between a back three and other shapes, responding to in-game scenarios. This term, however, Coventry have largely settled into a 4-2-3-1. It has freed up the midfield while still giving defensive balance. Victor Torp, for instance, is averaging 6.66 defensive contributions per 90 minutes in the system compared to over 10 when used in more reactive setups last term.
Less reliance on Torp to screen the defence has allowed him to flourish with the ball. The Dane has already scored five times this season (having scored six in the entirety of the 2024/25 campaign) and he’s now completing more take-ons, more final third passes and more long passes per 90.
That stability in the formation has also extended to the backline. Bobby Thomas, heavily linked with a move to Sheffield United in the summer, has been a rock: 5.13 clearances per game and only two duels lost all season. Behind him, Brighton loanee Carl Rushworth has emerged as a commanding presence between the sticks, highlighted by a nine-save display against Leicester, including four from inside the box. While set-pieces remain a nagging weakness – the first eight goals they conceded this season all came from dead-ball situations – Coventry’s open-play resilience has been vastly improved from last term.
At the other end of the pitch, Haji Wright has been transformed. With eight goals already in all competitions, his finishing has gone up a level, but Lampard has been just as quick to praise his pressing and work rate. Once criticised for his off-the-ball effort, Wright is now dropping deeper when required and pressing from the front with conviction – fitting neatly into the manager’s system.
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s raw numbers may not leap off the page, but his influence is clear. By holding wider positions than most Championship wingers, he drags full-backs out and stretches defensive lines, opening the half-spaces for Jack Rudoni to exploit and for Wright to dart between centre-backs. It’s a structural role rather than a statistical one, and Coventry are reaping the benefits.
Speaking of Rudoni, keeping him this summer despite Southampton’s interest may yet prove Coventry’s biggest win of all. Last season’s Player of the Year has been sidelined by injury, but his influence is irreplaceable: 3.5 shots, 1.17 chances created, nearly four take-ons and 1.67 possessions won in the attacking third per 90, all with 86% passing accuracy. Josh Eccles has deputised admirably in the No.10 role, but getting Rudoni fit again will be at the top of Lampard’s priority list if Coventry are to sustain a promotion charge.
The 47 year old hasn’t overhauled the squad, instead leaning on the base built by Mark Robins. Of the current regular starters, only Matt Grimes and Rushworth are his signings. Full-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden has also contributed, even scoring while playing in a more advanced role against Millwall, underlining the emphasis Lampard places on versatility.
With a smaller squad than many of their rivals, adaptability is key. Ephron Mason-Clark’s injury has been softened by Brandon Thomas-Asante’s resurgence. Although underwhelming in his first season at the CBS, he’s a valuable, versatile attacker at this level. That’s exactly the type of flexible player needed in a long Championship season.
The lack of depth still looms as a potential issue, particularly if injuries stack up. Set-pieces remain a sore spot, too. Coventry shipped far too many goals last season, and while open-play defending has improved, opponents will target their vulnerability at dead balls. Whether their free-scoring attack can consistently offset that flaw could be the decisive factor in the promotion race.
Lampard’s career could easily have floundered after his spells with Chelsea and Everton, but it’s to his credit that not only has he taken on the task at Coventry, but he’s also progressed as a manager, adding a more aggressive, direct flourish to his philosophy. Four straight clean sheets, unbeaten status, and an attack firing on all cylinders have ignited the CBS Arena faithful. From the chaos of that win at Derby to the clinical dismantling of Millwall, with a 7-1 mauling of QPR to add to the mix in between, the Sky Blues are showing the mix of energy, structure and resilience required to mount a serious automatic promotion push.