Coventry City

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Coventry City will not get caught up in any talk about what could happen between now and the end of the season, according to head coach Frank Lampard.

The Sky Blues have recovered from a run in which they lost four out of their eight games after Boxing Day to win their past three matches and move five points clear at the top of the Championship, but Lampard said is refusing to lose his focus.

"We're just happy. There's a lot of pressure from the outside, scrutiny on players and scrutiny on groups," he told BBC CWR.

"Everyone wants to highlight a good patch, which is fine, but you shouldn't get too high. Or they want to highlight a patch where you're not getting the results that you were. Don't look too far ahead as everyone will start talking about what may be and what others may do and that sort of stuff, which is not important for us."

Coventry host Stoke City on Saturday (15:00 GMT) which means a return to the CBS Arena for former head coach Mark Robins, but Lampard is determined they are not distracted from their goal this season.

"For us, it's just about continuing the work, and when momentum comes I feel it's deserved because of the work you have been putting in," he said.

"We always focus on the next game, take confidence from the good things, look where you can improve, and there are certainly things in those three wins we can improve in different ways."

Listen to more Coventry City interviews and content on BBC Sounds.

Mark Robins returns to his former club Coventry City as manager of Stoke City for the second time, having lost 3-2 there last season.

When these two sides met at the bet365 Stadium in November, Stoke were second in the Championship table, just four points behind leaders Coventry.

The Sky Blues remain top of the table but are now 21 points ahead of their 13th-placed opponents.

• Following their 1-0 win in November, Coventry are hoping to complete the league double over Stoke for the first time since 1984-85.

• Stoke lost this exact fixture 3-2 last season, but have not lost consecutive away league games against Coventry since December 1982.

• Coventry have lost just three of their past 32 home league games (W23 D6), with those defeats coming against teams either in the Premier League this season (Leeds and Burnley) or last season (Ipswich).

• Stoke scored five goals in their first two away league games this season (2.5 per game), beating Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 and Southampton 2-1. Since then, they have scored just 10 times in 15 on the road (0.7 per game), netting more than once on just two further occasions.

• Haji Wright has scored five goals in his past four home league games for Coventry, one more than he had in his previous 14 appearances at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Coventry manager Frank Lampard was not getting carried away after the fine comeback win at Sheffield United.

City are five points clear at the top of the Championship, and nine ahead of third-placed Millwall with 12 games left.

Lampard told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire: "It was always going to be tough, they are a good team on the rise. We had to defend our box in the first half, we weren't at our best and we made blocks. The character to come from behind and score two good goals is all credit to the boys. There was a lot of pressure, the crowd get involved, we needed personality and that was first class.

"It was textbook Jack Rudoni to arrive and score, he is a top player who is so hungry to do well and produce. We have let teams have moments against us away from home this season but we were compact and it's unseen things that get you results on the road.

"The boys have worked hard to get these three wins - but there is so much still to play for."

Image source, Opta

Sheffield United will seek to continue their climb up the Championship table when leaders Coventry visit on Wednesday (19:45 GMT).

The Blades are 14th, as high as they have been all season, and just six points behind the play-off spots after Sunday's 2-1 derby win over Sheffield Wednesday at Bramall Lane, which made it 13 points from their past six matches for the Blades.

Coventry have restored a three-point advantage at the top and a nine-point cushion in the race for automatic promotion courtesy of back-to-back wins over closest challengers Middlesbrough and Saturday's 2-0 win at lowly West Brom.

• Sheffield United are unbeaten in their past seven home league games against Coventry (W5 D2) since a 2-1 loss in February 2013.

• Following their 3-1 win in November, Coventry are looking to complete the league double over Sheffield United for the first time since 2001/02.

• Sheffield United have won four of their eight midweek (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) league games this season (D1 L3), scoring exactly three goals in each victory.

• Coventry are unbeaten in their past eight midweek (Tues, Weds, Thurs) league games (W6 D2), since a 2-0 loss at Derby in March last season.

• Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has won all three of his home league games against Coventry by an aggregate score of 6-1.

Image source, Shutterstock

Coventry boss Frank Lampard was delighted with his Championship leaders' "professionalism" as they swept West Brom aside to win 2-0 at The Hawthorns and record their first league away win since November 25.

Coventry won through goals from Ephron Mason-Clark and Jack Rudoni and have stretched their lead at the top to three points in the race for the title.

Lampard told BBC CWR Radio: "The overall professionalism of the game pleased me, how we approached it, two fantastic goals of real quality in different ways. We were never really threatened by them.

"In the second half, we wanted to be a bit more compact, with a mid-block, and make it harder for them because we could feel a little bit of anxiety in the stadium. The players delivered all those messages, which you have to do to get a good away win and a good away performance like this.

"It was a great goal from Ephron. The ball was won back, the timing of it, his run through the backline, a great finish and he showed a real calmness. That gave us a good feeling, but we've lost some away games when we've gone a goal up, but we carried it on and then Rudi's goal was special.

"I'm delighted for him individually, how he's been training, how he's been playing. He's looked fitter and fresher and he's got a goal, which is of the highest level."

Coventry City have to keep their best players if they want to progress, says head coach Frank Lampard.

Defenders Milan van Ewijk, Jay Dasilva and Liam Kitching have all signed new undisclosed-length contracts with the Championship leaders, and Lampard believes it is a reward for their success so far this season.

"He's [van Ewijk] a very, very good player and a great player to work with from my point of view, as he's forever engaging with you, and I think there's more to come from him," Lampard told BBC CWR.

"Jay and Kitch have been mainstays of our performances this season. I'm happy when players feel they're improving, feel like they're enjoying coming to work and want to stay at the football club."

Coventry are one point clear of second-placed Middlesbrough and six points ahead of Millwall, who are third, as they seek a return to the Premier League after 25 years.

"If we want to improve, we have to try to keep players and improve [them] and keep working with them as much as adding them in, so it's great," added Lampard.

Coventry visit West Bromwich Albion in the Championship on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

West Bromwich Albion enter this Midlands derby still seeking a first win under head coach Eric Ramsay.

Having been appointed on 12 January, the Baggies have lost four and drawn three of his seven games in charge, which leaves them only two points clear of the relegation zone.

Coventry returned to the top of the table with their first win in four games when beating second-placed Middlesbrough on Monday night.

• West Brom have lost their past two league games against Coventry, while they have not suffered three defeats in a row against them since August 1968 (a run of four).

• After winning this season's reverse fixture (3-2 in November), Coventry will be aiming to do the league double over West Brom for the first time since the 1969-70 campaign (in the top flight).

• West Brom have drawn their past two league matches 0-0 (v Stoke and Birmingham); they last played out three consecutive goalless draws in league competition in February-March 1983 (a run of four).

• Since the start of December, only West Brom (2) and Sheffield Wednesday (1) have won fewer points away from home in the Championship than league leaders Coventry (3 – W0 D3 L4).

• Haji Wright has scored five of Coventry's last eight league goals, including a hat-trick against Middlesbrough last time out (3-1) – his second hat-trick in the Championship (also vs Sunderland in March 2025).

Image source, EFL

Puma's Rainbow ball will return to the English Football League as part of an on-going campaign against discrimination and homophobia.

The special edition rainbow ball was introduced in 2024 to mark LGBTQ+ History Month and will be used at every EFL game from 20 February until 1 March.

Manufacturers Puma will make a donation to Football v Homophobia for every goal scored with their rainbow ball across the Championship, League One and League Two.

The donations will help support education against homophobia and promote inclusion across the season.

The EFL have released a video, external to coincide with the campaign which features a Preston North End fan who was charged with a hate crime following homophobic chanting during an FA Cup fixture against Chelsea.

The rainbow ball will also feature in EFL partner EA Sports' FC 26 video game.

"The rainbow ball is a powerful symbol of the values we uphold across the EFL all season long," EFL chief executive officer Trevor Birch said.

"It not only reflects our longstanding commitment to ensuring the League is representative of all its diverse communities, but also reminds us that we all have a role to play in creating an environment in which everyone feels they truly belong."

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you what you thought about Coventry City's performance against Middlesbrough on Monday and whether the win had you feeling more upbeat about the title chase.

Spoiler alert, it has!

Here is what you had to say:

Alan: From the first minute to the last every player totally committed to each other and to achieving the win. Back to where we were in the autumn. Continue playing with that intensity and quality, promotion is guaranteed.

Luke: One match doesn't make a season. Frank Onyeka looked more like a toy soldier than a tank, not sure what everyone is raving on about. At the moment Doug King is still on course to look silly with his lack of transfer business.

Haji Wright turning up for the big games again but we probably won't see him again now until the play-offs when scrape through on the last day.

Stuart: Can we play Middlesbrough every week, please? Guaranteed promotion if that's the case!

In all seriousness though if Coventry display that level of energy, endeavour and enthusiasm every game then every chance of going up.

Boro have also been hugely impressive and again look well placed for promotion if the keep playing like they are.

Cat: We've had a really disappointing run of late and just weren't playing as we were before.

Last night, the whole team came out and gave it everything. From the first minute, we looked hungry and determined to get the win - Tatsuhiro Sakamoto is unbelievable and I'm delighted for Haji with his hat-trick. The belief is reignited, onto West Brom! PUSB.

Gary: Fantastic first half but if we continue to sit back and defend like the second half with the occasional hit and hope punt up field we will have problems. Where is the killer instinct that we had earlier in the season. No sitting back, just keep attacking.

Steve: Great result and performance last night. But I do think our automatic promotion hopes will depend on our away form. It just has to improve beginning with West Bromwich Albion at the weekend.

Coventry City forward Haji Wright got his second hat-trick for the club as his side beat Championship title rivals Middlesbrough 3-1 in a "statement" win on Monday.

"Feels great. Top of the table, three points, nothing better," Wright told BBC Radio CWR.

"I'm coming off a bit of a cold streak, so scoring three goals at the CBS [Arena] is a great feeling. I'm happy it turned into three points.

"It was a great performance from the team, from everybody in the stadium. It only felt like it could end one way."

The 27-year-old had only scored twice for Coventry since returning from a calf injury at the start of December, but netted three times to give his side a win which took them back to the top of the Championship.

"We played with a lot of energy and a lot of aggression. In the first 45 [minutes] it was hard for [Middlesbrough] to deal with. In the second 45 we played a bit more tactical and we were able to just defend the lead and counter a bit more," Wright said.

"Statement performance against a great team. But it is only three points and we still have so many more games until the end of the season, so we want to focus on the rest of the games that are ahead of us."

Coventry will travel to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday (12:30 GMT) to try to extend their advantage over second-placed Middlesbrough, who take on Oxford United later in the day.

"We'll enjoy this tonight then, come tomorrow, we'll focus on West Brom," Wright concluded.

Listen to the full interview with Haji Wright and more Coventry City on BBC Sounds.

Coventry City's 3-1 win over fellow title contenders Middlesbrough on Monday means they are back on top of the Championship.

The Sky Blues had appeared to be on a downward turn after relinquishing a 10-point cushion from the reverse fixture in November.

After a few nervous weeks, are you feeling better about your title - and automatic promotion - chances, Coventry fans?

How would you rate your team's performance?

Let us know your thoughts on the match here and come back later to see a selection of your verdicts.

Coventry City manager Frank Lampard spoke to BBC CWR after their 3-1 win over Middlesbrough took them back to the top of the Championship.

"It was a big performance from minute one all the way through," he said.

"The energy of the team was immense, and the organisation.

"It's a really difficult game against Boro, they're in great form, they've got good players, they're trying to play through you constantly and our players gave everything and got what they deserved out of the game.

"In games like this where it's tight, two good teams going against each other, it's so important to be clinical in the right moments.

"It sounds simple but we haven't been so clinical in the last period and that leads to the results we've had.

"Tonight we were clinical and I think we deserved it."

Image source, Opta

Coventry City welcome Middlesbrough for a vital clash between the Championship's top two sides on Monday night (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

The Sky Blues have won just two of their past eight games - and only four of their previous 13 (D4 L5) - to see their 10-point lead wiped out by Boro, who are two points clear at the top.

Kim Hellberg's side are in excellent form and have scored 16 goals in a six-game winning run in the league.

• Coventry have won each of their past five league games against Middlesbrough, with each victory coming by at least a two-goal margin.

• Middlesbrough have lost six of their past seven away league games against Coventry (W1), losing each of their previous four visits without scoring a single goal.

• Since the start of December, Coventry have averaged just one goal a game in the Championship (13 goals in 13 games), having averaged 2.8 in their first 18 games this term (50 goals).

• Middlesbrough have won their past six league matches and could win seven in a row for the first time since May 1987 (7 in the third tier). They last had a longer winning streak in the second tier of English football in April 1974 (9).

• Coventry failed to score in their draw against Oxford last time out, despite attempting 24 shots and producing an xG total of 2.3. They have never failed to score in consecutive league games under Frank Lampard, last doing so in October 2023 (3 under Mark Robins).

Frank Onyeka says Coventry are gearing up for an intense top-of-the-table clash with Middlesbrough.

The 28-year-old midfielder - who joined on loan from Brentford until the end of the season at the end of the transfer window - was an unused sub in Saturday's home stalemate with Oxford United.

The point allowed Boro to take over at the summit for the first time since October with a 2-1 win at Sheffield United on Monday night.

The Sky Blues host the new leaders at the CBS Arena on Monday (20:00 GMT), aiming to depose them at the first opportunity and Onyeka told BBC CWR: "It's obviously a big game and whoever wins will be top.

"We will just focus on ourselves. We know it will be a very intense game so we are training well to make sure we are ready for the game."

The former Midtjylland man said he has enjoyed training with his new club and added his main attributes are "strength, winning duels, running with the ball and reading the game".

He joins Matt Grimes, Victor Torp and Josh Eccles in the central midfield ranks but said: "I think we are all different type of players. We bring different qualities to the team, for me it's just about settling in with the boys.

"I bring experience to the team and try to bring intensity."

He received a warm welcome from Sky Blues' fans during his warm-up for the Oxford match and said: "I appreciate the fans' welcome and I can't wait to give everything for the squad and the fans."

Coventry City could be boosted by the availability of three players for the vital Championship clash with Middlesbrough at the CBS Arena on Monday night.

Winger Ephron Mason-Clark missed the goalless draw against Oxford with a foot injury sustained at QPR, while January arrivals Jahnoah Markelo and Frank Onyeka are yet to make their debuts.

But Sky Blues manager Frank Lampard says they are all in contention to be available for the visit of league-leaders Boro.

"He [Mason-Clarke] started to do some work through this week, so we're hoping he will be training over the weekend," Lampard told BBC CWR.

"[Markelo is] training well, getting fit and looks good."

Midfielder Onyeka, who joined on loan from Brentford, was an unused sub last weekend and his wife has since given birth.

The 28-year-old Nigeria international has returned to training though and is in contention for Monday (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

"Yeah, he's ready to go," Lampard said. "Had a couple of days off, had the baby on Sunday, Monday. So he's training with us and ready.

"So it's good to have a little bit of training time for him before we start to look at games going forward."