Coventry City

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Table-topping Coventry and QPR will both be seeking a spark as the Sky Blues head to West London on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Monday's defeat at Norwich made it seven games without a win on the road in all competitions for Frank Lampard's side, four of them defeats, though they remain three points ahead of second-placed Middlesbrough, with Ipswich a further five back.

The R's are 12th, four points adrift of the play-off places going into the weekend programme, but have won just one of their seven games since Christmas, against rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday, and have lost two of their past three at home after a four-match winning streak.

• QPR were beaten by a six-goal margin in this season's reverse fixture against Coventry (1-7 in August 2025), which remains their joint-heaviest defeat in a Championship match (since 2004-05).

• Coventry have already scored seven goals against QPR this season; the last time they scored 10+ across home/away games against an opponent in a single league campaign was in 1963/64, also against QPR (10).

• QPR have only won one of their past seven games in the Championship (D3 L3). Since Boxing Day, only Blackburn and Sheffield Wednesday (both 0) have fewer league wins in the second tier.

• Coventry have lost three of their past six league games (W2 D1), more defeats than they suffered across their first 23 matches in the Championship this season (W15 D6 L2).

• Based on xG on target faced (excl. own goals), Coventry's Carl Rushworth has prevented more goals than any other goalkeeper in the Championship this season (+6.6 – 32 conceded from 38.6 xG on target).

Image source, Shutterstock

We asked you what you felt Coventry needed to improve after their poor away run has taken a big chunk out their once mammoth lead at the top of the Championship table.

The Sky Blues have have failed to win their last seven matches on the road, in all competitions, and are being reeled in by Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town.

Here are some of your responses...

Julian: Sometimes, I think we suffer from being too predictable in attack with our high line and we're being caught out.

The defeat at Norwich was down to two obvious mistakes and bad game management.

Ephron Mason-Clark and Haji Wright should've stayed on as they were very obviously going to score eventually. We should've stuck another defender on and ground out a 1-0 or even a draw like we did at Southampton.

I think we are going to achieve promotion but obviously not in an easy fashion! Typical City!

Steven: The team is starting to feel the pressure now of the gap closing. They need to focus on playing and stop looking at the table.

One game at a time, it's still the same team that took QPR apart 7-1 at the beginning of the season, they just need to find that type of form, mentality and feeling again.

PUSB, you can do this.

James: Our entire system relying on Matt Grimes being on form has been a ticking time-bomb for a while now. Feels like groundhog day as it used to be the fitness of Ben Sheaf that would make or break our seasons.

Does anyone at the club know you are allowed two holding midfielders on the books? Hopefully the Frank Onyeka rumours are true and they'll shut me up.

Gary: I don't think we've played awfully, but it feels like a long time since we were keeping clean sheets, which means you need to score at least twice to win.

It also feels like teams have figured us out. Our midfield seem to be getting overrun, and we seem to be struggling to isolate our wingers against opposition wing backs.

Right now it feels like when things aren't going to plan, we don't have a tactical back-up.

Andrew: We are too vulnerable in transition to the counter-attack. As our full-backs are pushed forward, our central midfield players are seeking space in the wide areas, we are vulnerable to the other team breaking at pace right down the middle in transition.

We also lack pace in central midfield to make recovery runs.

We need to change tactics away from home. The two holding midfield players need to stay central at all times, our full-backs not pushing forward all the time but being more selective and using the counter attack at pace more ourselves.

Rather than gaining possession in transition and slowing the ball down, giving the home team time to get back into their defensive shape, we need to break at pace in the wide areas or get the attacking midfield player to make a third man run in advance of the centre forward.

Simon: Defensively weak, particularly in the centre, but across the back four there are palpable nerves. Sloppiness cost us the three points at Carrow Road, but Norwich were just more hungry than Coventry.

They seemed to win every loose ball, driving forward at every opportunity. Our midfield was too cautious, possibly missing Jack Rudoni, but they looked like a side on the ropes for much of the second half.

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Coventry City are making progress in their talks to sign Brentford defensive midfielder Frank Onyeka before Monday's transfer deadline.

The 28‑year‑old is also attracting interest from Sheffield United and is expected to decide his future within the next 24 hours.

Brentford have made the Nigeria international available for transfer after he became frustrated by a lack of first‑team opportunities under Keith Andrews, having experienced similar frustration during Thomas Frank's tenure.

Frank Lampard's Coventry sit three points clear at the top of the Championship but have just two wins in their last six league games and have not kept a clean sheet since 26 December.

Sheffield United are 17th but remain not entirely out of contention for the play‑offs in a congested table, nine points off the top six.

While things might be feeling nervy around Coventry City this week, their blip might have come at a perfect time, says EFL pundit Darrell Clarke.

In the latest edition of the BBC's 72+ EFL podcast former Bristol Rovers boss Clarke backed Frank Lampard to keep confidence high in the Sky Blues ranks despite a run of just four wins in 12 games in all competitions since the start of December.

Coventry's lead at the top of the Championship has been slashed from 10 points to just three in that spell and their 2-1 defeat at Norwich on Monday made it seven away games without a win in all competitions.

Clarke said: "I think it's getting a bit nervy, I think they need that reset.

"Sometimes it's not bad to have a blip, all teams do, Coventry are having one now but it might just be the right time to have that because you want to be really strong in those last 15 or 16 games.

"Frank has experience, he's been there, won everything. He'll be resetting the group. They have got a fantastic team there. I am sure they'll kick on.

"You're always going to have a little dip, you just have to keep that confidence high."

Another away defeat for Coventry City, this time against Norwich City, means they have not won any of their past seven matches on the road (D3 L4) across all competitions.

It has contributed to their once sizable lead at the top of the Championship table turning into a vulnerable three-point advantage.

How concerned are you Sky Blues fans? Why are they seemingly a different team at the CBS Arena compared to when on their travels?

What would be your advice to boss Frank Lampard right now and does the answer lie in his tactical approach or transfer market?

Let us know your thoughts here and check back later to see a selection of your responses.

Full-back Jay Dasilva says Coventry City are still confident they can win promotion but admits the Sky Blues "weren't at our best" in Tuesday's defeat by Norwich City at Carrow Road.

Despite taking the lead through Romain Esse, the Sky Blues faltered after half-time, conceding twice in the second half as Ali Ahmed's winner extended Coventry's troubles on the road to six games without a win.

"Very disappointing," Dasilva told BBC CWR. "We knew we weren't at our best. You're not going to play great every game but it should've clicked when we went that goal ahead.

"When you concede so early [after half-time] it's never great and we just never got going. It just felt a bit flat."

The defeat cut Coventry's lead at the top of the Championship to just three points as they prepare for another away trip - to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday [15:00 GMT].

Despite seeing their cushion at the top shrink, Coventry still have an eight-point gap to Ipswich Town in third place - although the Tractor Boys have a game in hand.

And Dasilva is staying positive over their chances of going up.

"For sure, everyone still believes," he said. "We're still confident. We're top of the league. We focus on ourselves and get back to all the good things we've been doing.

"It's a reminder nothing comes easy. Every game's so hard and we have to fight for it. It's down to us to make it right in the next game."

Birmingham City have joined Coventry and Sheffield United in the race to sign Brentford and Nigeria midfielder Frank Onyeka, with the Bees seeking around £8m for the 28-year-old. (Birmingham World), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard said his side were not good enough in either box as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Norwich.

The Sky Blues' lead at the top of the Championship is now just three points as they they have failed to win their last seven away games, in all competitions.

Coventry led 1-0 at half-time after Romain Esse's angled finish but never fully got on top of the hosts who won through goals from Anis Ben Slimane and Ali Ahmed.

Ephron Mason-Clark hit the crossbar for the visitors and Lampard felt it was a game that got away from them, mainly through their own doing.

"We gifted them their goals. If you do that in the Championship you lose games. If you defend sloppily and make mistakes, teams score against you," Lampard told BBC Radio CWR.

"We created enough chances to score more goals but didn't. Defensive errors are a problem, something we've been good at this season.

"It was a great finish, good goal, and we went in at half time 1-0, so that's positive, but we came out [in the second half] and gave them some momentum.

"Some games aren't easy to control in the Championship. We had more possession than them, and created enough chances, but games are always won in both boxes.

"It's not easy to come here on a Monday night against a team in good form and try to control every aspect of the game."

Image source, EFL

A new initiative highlighting the work of football club charities has been launched by the English Football League (EFL).

'Scan to Smile' will be rolled out in stadiums across the EFL from Friday until the end of January, with supporters invited to scan QR codes on posters displayed around grounds.

Each scan will unlock a short, uplifting story from a person whose life has been positively impacted by the support of their local club charity.

The subjects tackled include mental health support, combating loneliness, improving physical wellbeing, employability and confidence.

The EFL said it hoped the initiative would use "the reach and influence of football to offer fans a moment of positivity on matchday".

Trevor Birch, chief executive at the EFL, said: "Behind every club are people whose lives have been positively changed through the work and dedication of their local EFL club charity.

"This initiative gives supporters the chance to see that impact first-hand and reminds us that football truly is a force for good."

Coventry City assistant head coach Joe Edwards has confirmed that defender Bobby Thomas has been nursing a calf problem and will need to be assessed before the game against Norwich City on Monday (20:00 GMT).

The 24-year-old has missed the past three games for Coventry after picking up a straight red card in added time during their 3-2 loss to Birmingham in January.

However, Edwards has suggested Thomas may not have been available over his suspension regardless.

"Bobby actually had a calf issue as well as the suspension so he probably didn't really miss any games because he would have definitely missed a couple of those with the issue," Edwards told BBC Radio CWR.

"He's back with the group but we will have assess it over the next few days to see if he's available for the game."

Right-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden is also back training after missing the past three games with an ankle injury and could make his return against the Canaries.

Find more interviews from Coventry City on BBC Sounds.

Both Norwich and Coventry City will try to create bigger gaps on the Championship table when they meet at Carrow Road on Monday (20:00 GMT).

For the Canaries, the aim will be to continue their winning run and get further away from the relegation zone. The side have won both their past two league matches to see themselves two points above 22nd placed Blackburn Rovers.

While Coventry are currently six points clear at the top and will want to ensure they stay out of striking distance - as well as dismiss a pesky winless away run.

• Norwich City are unbeaten across their last 11 Championship games against Coventry City (W7 D4), since a 2-1 home loss in February 2009.

• Coventry City have lost each of their last three away league games against Norwich City and will be looking to avoid losing four in succession for the first time.

• This season in the Championship, Norwich have lost nine of their 13 home games (W3 D1) – the second-most behind only bottom side Sheffield Wednesday (11). The Owls (7) are also the only side to net fewer home goals than the Canaries (12).

• Having won five of their six away league games in October and November (L1), Coventry are winless in their five on the road since the start of December (D3 L2).

• Jovon Makama has scored nine goals in his last nine starts for Norwich in all competitions, with seven of these coming in five games at Carrow Road.

Coventry City forward Romain Esse said scoring his first goal for the club in Tuesday's win over former club Millwall "felt amazing".

Esse, who is on loan with the Championship leaders from Premier League side Crystal Palace, put Frank Lampard's side ahead after 11 minutes against the Lions at the CBS Arena.

Although the visitors equalised before half-time, Haji Wright's 10th league goal of the season kept Coventry eight points clear of Ipswich at the top and nine ahead of Middlesbrough in third.

"It felt amazing. It's a moment that was very special. I'm happy to get my first goal for the Sky Blues," Esse told BBC CWR.

"It's been a difficult period for me not playing a lot but I've been given the chance by the gaffer here and I've got my first goal and I just want to kick on, keep working hard and keep delivering."

Esse began his career with Millwall, joining the academy in 2014 before making his senior debut in 2022, and spent two years with the London club before moving to Selhurst Park in January 2025.

He said scoring against the Lions felt "strange" given his formative years at The Den.

"I respect Millwall a lot for what they've done for me," he added. "They helped me grow from a boy to a man."

After a slight end-of-year wobble that saw Coventry go winless in three league games and go out of the FA Cup, Lampard's men have got back on track in style with back-to-back home wins against Leicester and Millwall.

"We've got a strong bunch of lads," he said.

"Whenever we need to get through something we always manage it and that's from the manager and staff setting certain principles we all abide by.

"And that shows on the pitch."

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All English Football League games across a four-day period in February will begin one minute late to raise awareness for the Every Minute Matters campaign.

The initiative will be in place for 36 matches across the Championship, League One and League Two between 5 and 9 February.

EFL sponsor Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) have been working together since May 2024 to highlight the importance of speed when it comes to performing live-saving CPR.

Later kick-off times will serve as "a stark reminder that every minute matters", the EFL said.

Bristol Rovers defender Tom Lockyer collapsed while playing for Luton Town eight minutes into the Championship play-off final against Coventry in May 2023.

Lockyer then suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch seven months later during a Premier League game at Bournemouth.

"What happened to me can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time," said Lockyer, who is now a BHF ambassador.

"Every year, more than 40,000 people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and most of them never make it home.

"I'm here today because of the transformative power of CPR as every minute matters when it comes to saving a life.

"This February, we want everyone to get behind this life-saving initiative, learn the skills and be ready to step in because your actions could give someone else the chance I was given."

Throughout February, the Every Minute Matters campaign will call on fans to learn CPR using the BHF's online RevivR, external tool.

"Each minute without CPR reduces a person's chance of survival, so we're urging fans to learn the skills now, before you ever need them," said Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the BHF.

EFL chief executive officer Trevor Birch added: "The one minute kick-off adjustment is a simple, powerful reminder that swift CPR can be the difference between life and death."

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard is likely to be a strong contender to replace Oliver Glasner as Crystal Palace manager with the club also interested in Getafe's Jose Bordalas and Rayo Vallecano's Inigo Perez. (Talksport), external

Read all the latest EFL transfer rumours in Wednesday's gossip column here.

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Coventry boss Frank Lampard was delighted to see Romain Esse score his first Sky Blues goal against his old club Millwall before Haji Wright bagged the winner in the 2-1 win over Alex Neil's Lions.

Coventry increased their lead at the top of the Championship to eight points and Lampard praised on-loan Crystal Palace winger Esse for his attitude.

He told BBC Radio CWR: "He came to see me after Leicester and he wanted a little rundown of the game, which was great. I love that, he's engaging and he wants to score more goals.

"For a modern winger, it's really important because we know he's got talent, a huge talent, one v one, the things he can do for us are different.

"People expect there's a magic potion to get goals and it's ready complicated. But if you're in and around it, you'll get your chances and it was brilliant for him to score. I was really pleased to see him score against his old club and he deserved that.

"Haji also deserves a big shout because the way he played today. His all-round game was more important to me than his two goal involvements because he's strong, he was competing, he was pressing."