Coventry City

Blackburn Rovers have the unenviable task of visiting top dogs Coventry City on Saturday (15:00 BST) as they look for space away from the bottom three.

Rovers are currently just one point above the relegation spots and in a spot of poor form, finding themselves winless in three league matches (D1 L2).

Coventry, on the other hand, are flying. The side are so in form, in fact, that their goal difference of 20 is higher than any other Championship team's 'goals for' tally so far this season.

But the Sky Blues are still just one point above second placed Middlesbrough (as of time of writing, at least!) and will want to make sure they retain their leading position.

• Coventry City haven't lost any of their last nine league games against Blackburn Rovers (W4 D5), keeping a clean sheet in each of their last four matches against them.

• Blackburn Rovers have lost each of their last three league trips to Coventry City, with their last away win in the league against the Sky Blues coming in October 2020 (4-0).

• Coventry have won each of their last three league games by an average score of 12-0, while they've kept a clean sheet in their last four league games; they last did so in five successive games in October 2001 in the second tier under Ronald Nilsson.

• Since Valerien Ismael's first Championship game in charge of Blackburn Rovers at the start of March, only two sides have lost more Championship league matches than Rovers (10).

• Coventry have already scored 27 goals in their opening nine league games this season; the last second tier side to score as many as 30 in their first 10 league games of a season was Bolton Wanderers in 1964-65 (31). Indeed, the most the Sky Blues have scored in their first 10 Football League games of a season is 28 in the Division Three South in 1935-36.

Coventry City chairman Doug King has said he thinks he is likely "too hands on" when it comes to his involvement with the Championship club.

King secured full ownership of the Sky Blues after buying out previous owners Sisu in January 2023.

"I'm very hands on, it's a big deal," King told BBC Radio 4.

"It's really important for the community, it's obviously a huge financial undertaking as well. It matters a lot. It changes everybody's feeling about the area if we get something right - and obviously if we get it wrong.

"I'm very aware of that and that's why I take a lot interest in it and am probably way too hands on, but that's how I'm going to be."

The atmosphere around the club has been particularly positive of late; Frank Lampard's side are a point clear at the top of the table and possess a goal difference (+20) that is higher than any other Championship team's 'goals for' tally.

"We've had a really good start so that's got everybody dreaming," King added.

"We haven't had a good start for a while so it's good to have one. We've just got to keep on doing what we are doing."

Listen to the full interview with King and more Coventry City content on BBC Sounds.

Sky Blues midfielder Jack Rudoni sat down with BBC Radio 4's Mike Williams to reflect on Frank Lampard's influence in his 11 months at Coventry and his ambition to take the club to the Premier League.

The Sky Blues sit top of the Championship pile after nine games and boast the division's only remaining unbeaten record.

"We're all enjoying it, we're free-flowing and expressing ourselves," Rudoni said.

"We all respect him [Lampard] as a player and as a person. I have a great relationship with him and it's brought the best out of me and a lot of players.

"There's no one better for me to learn off than a goalscoring midfielder. He works with me one-to-one and I love training and playing under him.

"We need to stay level-headed, take it game-by-game. We're in a great position, we just want to stay unbeaten and pick up three points where we can.

"Everything is coming together really nicely. It's an amazing city for football. I love playing for this club. We want to create our own history and getting back to the Premier League is the main aim for us."

Click here to listen to the full interview via BBC Sounds.

"It's a weird position to be in where everyone's talking about you. It's kind of uncomfortable in a way.

"Eyes are more on us because of Frank Lampard, because he's doing such a brilliant job and because the football we're playing is the best I can remember.

"It's a nice feeling but a surreal one, it happens to other clubs, not us."

BBC CWR's Lorna Bailey is joined by Sky Blues fans Ben and Stuart to discuss the amount of attention on the table-topping Sky Blues during the international break.

Hear too from chairman Doug King, manager Frank Lampard and midfielder Jack Rudoni and have a crack at Name That Game.

Click here to listen to the full episode of the Sky Blues Fancast via BBC Sounds.

"The fans should and always will respect Mark Robins' legacy, but we're now doing our own thing.

"The players are a joy to work with. My relationship with Doug King is very good, we have a close relationship, he has a great passion for the club.

"I'm a more relaxed manager now than when I started, I have learned a lot. I'm more level-headed and I understand the job as well as I ever have."

As the one-year anniversary of his appointment at Coventry City as successor to Mark Robins approaches next month, Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard sat down with BBC Radio 4's Mike Williams to reflect on his time at the club, his relationship with the fans and his growth as a manager.

Click here to listen to the full interview via BBC Sounds.

"You can feel the energy around the city and at the CBS - definitely a good time to be a Cov fan."

Join BBC presenter Mike Williams as he takes a walk around Coventry to speak with Sky Blues fans, owner Doug King, boss Frank Lampard and midfielder Jack Rudoni about the good vibes floating around the club after a superb start to the season.

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

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist and member of the Sky Blues Fancast on 5 Live's Monday Night Club

It's unbelievable, the whole city is bouncing. In my lifetime, I've never seen a start like it. It is just absolutely fantastic.

To say that Coventry are flying is an understatement because they are not just beating teams, they are demolishing teams.

We played Birmingham City and won 3-0, travelled to Millwall and won 4-0, and then went to Sheffield Wednesday for a 12:30 BST kick-off and won 5-0, so that is not a bad week is it?!

There is no disrespect because Mark Robins had an unbelievable tenure, and people say they will always love him for what he did for the club.

He saved the club, and brought it back up to the Championship from rock bottom of League Two.

But it was a new chapter and it is time to move on. I would say everyone is fully behind Frank Lampard. He has brought exciting, forward-thinking, attacking football to Coventry, and they are a joy to watch.

Frank has fans on the edge of their seats. They are scoring for fun, and there is not much more as a fanbase that you can want.

You can acknowledge everything that Robins did, and there was a lot of anger and sadness when he went, but time is a healer. And football is a little bit of a fickle sport. When results start coming in, it makes it a lot easier.

Image source, Getty Images

Coventry City captain Matt Grimes says the team's balanced approach has been key to their fine start to the season.

Saturday's 5-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday sent Coventry into the international break top of the Championship and unbeaten in their opening nine matches.

It also capped a perfect week of three successive wins, 12 goals and three clean sheets.

"It's incredible, you can see the amount of confidence our front lads are playing with at the minute," he told BBC CWR.

"We've been really good in both boxes - not just the amount of goals we've scored but also that's four clean sheets in a row now, so all good signs.

"We're playing with the perfect mix of detail and freedom and that's what you're seeing. The attacking players are an absolute force at the minute."

The Sky Blues have picked up 13 points from a possible 15 and conceded just one goal since the 30-year-old midfielder was appointed club captain on 12 September.

"It's been a good start for all of us," he added.

"I know there was a lot of noise in the summer about us not starting too well [in past seasons], and we've done that this year so we can just get our heads down, keep working and crack on."

Listen to Grimes' full interview and more Coventry content on BBC Sounds.

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard says that he hasn't yet had "clarity" on security protocols for Saturday's visit to Sheffield Wednesday.

Further protests are expected at Hillsborough over the financial turmoil at the club that has seen players yet again face late payments.

Lampard says he wants some reassurance for the safety of his team if there are protests during the game.

"I have to think for Coventry City and my players and the things that I'm hearing about people might come on the pitch," Lampard told BBC Radio Coventry.

"We haven't had massive clarity in our conversations this morning on our players' security, their players' security, what might happen.

"Sheffield Wednesday have to deal with their end but we want that communicated to us. What are the variables that may happen, what are the consequences of what might happen because we saw Ipswich and Blackburn recently, which is still on-going. That was a natural cause, this may not be.

"I want some clarity on that, I haven't heard much. There are conversations on-going this morning and outside of that, I'll focus on my job of trying to get my team ready."

Lampard also confirmed there is still some injury doubt over midfielders Josh Eccles (glute) and Victor Torp (ankle) however they are set to train on Friday and are not yet ruled out for Saturday's game.

Listen to the full interview with Lampard and more Coventry City content on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Opta

Coventry could go top of the Championship, for a few hours at least, with a win at second-bottom Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday lunchtime (12:30 BST).

The unbeaten Sky Blues romped to a 4-0 win at Millwall on Wednesday night to go second, two points behind Middlesbrough, who visit Portsmouth later on Saturday afternoon.

City's 22 goals scored in eight games, and +15 goal difference are by far the best, not forgetting they have played out two 0-0 draws already.

Wednesday were seconds away from an eye-catching win at Birmingham on Tuesday, which would have hauled them out of the relegation zone, only for a 99th-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw to extend Blues unbeaten home run to 28 matches.

They have taken four points from their past two away games, but last Saturday's 1-1 draw against QPR was their first point, and first goal of the season at Hillsborough after three straight defeats to begin their home campaign.

• Sheffield Wednesday have lost just three of their past 11 home league games against Coventry City (W6 D2), though the Owls have lost both in the past two seasons.

• Coventry City have won four of their last five league games against Sheffield Wednesday (L1), scoring exactly two goals in each victory during that time.

• Sheffield Wednesday are unbeaten in their past three Championship matches (W1 D2), and will be looking to go four in a row without defeat for the first time since December 2024 (4).

• Coventry City have only won one of their past four Championship away games against Yorkshire sides (D1 L2), although that one victory did come in this fixture last season (2-1 in February).

• Frank Lampard is unbeaten against Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship (P3 W2 D1), only facing Hull City (5) and QPR (4) more often without losing as a manager in the division.

Double-backflipping defender Kaine Kesler-Hayden says he was thrilled to score in Coventry City's "incredible" win at Millwall on Wednesday.

The unbeaten Sky Blues hammered the Lions 4-0 with substitute Kesler-Hayden netting the fourth goal three minutes from time and celebrating with his trademark gymnastics move in front of the 2,800 travelling fans.

"Yeah it was crazy," he told BBC CWR. "I really enjoyed coming on and getting the minutes I'm getting.

"It's incredible, 4-0 away from home is a massive result.

"It's a tough place to come and I'm glad we can carry on with this unbeaten run.

"The team's got so many goals in it and people that can affect the game. If we want to get to where we want to everyone has to play their part."

Image source, Rex Features

The win - Coventry's fourth out of eight games in the Championship - keeps Frank Lampard's side on the heels of leaders Middlesbrough in second place.

Kesler-Hayden, who joined the Sky Blues from West Midlands neighbours Aston Villa in the summer, says their good form is being helped by their excellent team spirit.

"From the moment I walked in for pre-season I could feel it straight away - that togetherness - and the lads buzzing to come in every day," he said.

"As the season goes on things will only get stronger and we'll be a better team than we are.

"To build that connection with the fans really pushes us. We're delighted with the way it's going."

Coventry are on the road again at the weekend with a trip to Sheffield Wednesday (12:30 BST)

Kesler-Hayden is already targeting another good result to make it three wins in seven days.

"Recovery's really important but it's a three-game week and there's a going to be a lot of them. If we can go and get a result - what a week it would've been."

"It was just such a great team performance."

BBC CWR's Lorna Bailey and Will Oelrich are joined by Sky Blues fans Adam and Ben to reflect on Coventry City's 3-0 derby day win against Birmingham City, as well as discussing what to expect in Wednesday night's Championship encounter with Millwall (19:45 BST).

Listen to the full episode of the Sky Blues Fancast and more on BBC Sounds.

Millwall host Coventry City on Wednesday night (19:45 BST), with the home side occupying 10th in the Championship table and having not lost a league game since the end of August.

Frank Lampard's Coventry City come into this one off the back of a dominating 3-0 victory over Birmingham City at the weekend but will be without Jack Rudoni, who will be sidelined for a few weeks.

The Lions have already been triumphant over the Sky Blues this season after they recorded a 2-1 win in the League Cup back in August.

• Millwall are winless in five league meetings with Coventry (D1 L4), their longest winless run against them since April 1964 (6).

• Coventry have won away to Millwall in both of the past two league seasons – the only time they have ever enjoyed back-to-back league wins away to the Lions.

• Millwall have won six of their last eight Championship home games (L2), as many as their previous 16 beforehand (W6 D4 L6).

• Coventry are looking to avoid defeat in each of their opening four away games of a league campaign in the top two tiers for the sixth time, and first since 1993-94 in the Premier League.

• Millwall's Alex Neil has only lost one of his five Championship managerial games against Coventry (W2 D2), a 0-2 defeat with Stoke in October 2022.

Image source, Rex Features

Coventry City manager Frank Lampard says Jack Rudoni will be out for "weeks" with a calf injury he picked up in last week's draw at Leicester City.

After the Sky Blues had beaten Birmingham City the manager told BBC Radio CWR: "He's got a calf injury so will be out for some weeks. We can't put a date on it at this point but it's disappointing.

"The injury came from the Leicester game. He's had a bad shoulder all week and hasn't really trained, so we only found out at the back end of the week. It's a big loss for us."

Lampard was delighted with his team, and supporters, as they continued their unbeaten start to the Championship season, saying: "Outstanding atmosphere for a derby game - the fans were great and the players were brilliant, with everybody focused, ready to compete and ready to play.

"At 11 v 11 we got our goal and I thought they were really tough opposition after a good start to the season, but you could see we were at it, and the fans reacted to that.

"When they went to 10 men it's not easy to deal with, but we dealt with it brilliantly. We played high up in their half and kept doing the right things.

"We got our two goals in the second half and we got a clean sheet, and the focus of the team was amazing."

Coventry City head coach Frank Lampard has been speaking to the media ahead of the West Midlands derby against Birmingham City on Saturday (12:30 BST).

Here are the main talking points:

• Lampard says Coventry respected Leicester City last weekend when they played them due to their Premier League prowess and will similarly respect Birmingham City due to their "quality of players", their squad depth and high-pressing style of play implemented by a "good coach" in Chris Davies.

• He is aware the Birmingham players are used to picking up lots of points following their record-breaking total of 111 in League One last season and believes that achievement, combined with a high level of investment this summer, would have boosted confidence at the club.

• Before a strenuous week ahead with two 12:30 kick-offs and two away fixtures out of a three-game week, Lampard is calling for the league to "be more diligent" about tight schedules for teams.

• During the upcoming week with a hectic schedule, Lampard aims to "use the squad as well as possible in those three games while remaining as strong as possible".

• He added that the atmosphere at the Coventry Building Society Arena is "something to be proud of" and something to get excited about on derby day.

Listen to the full interview with Lampard and more Coventry content on Sounds.