Frank Lampard says he wishes to remain “Mr Reality” at Coventry City amid excitement from the club’s fans that a play-off berth could be on the cards.
A run of seven wins from their last eight league games has propelled the Sky Blues into contention for the top six spots in what is shaping up to be both an entertaining and enthralling play-off race in the Championship.
That run of form has unsurprisingly got supporters dreaming of another trip to Wembley and, with Coventry now just one point behind both West Brom and Blackburn in the final two play-off spots, it is starting to look like a genuine possibility.
However, Lampard is keen to ensure his men don’t take their foot off the gas and start to relax a little now they have worked so hard to haul themselves back into contention.
Frank Lampard has a key message for Coventry’s players
With clashes against second tier strugglers Oxford United, Stoke City and Derby County comprising the Sky Blues’ next three league outings, they have a perfect opportunity to force their way into the top six.
| Championship Table (as per Fotmob) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | GP | GD | PTS | |
| 5 | Blackburn Rovers | 34 | +13 | 51 |
| 6 | West Brom | 34 | +5 | 51 |
| 7 | Coventry City | 34 | +4 | 50 |
| 8 | Bristol City | 34 | +5 | 49 |
| 9 | Watford | 34 | -3 | 48 |
If they could climb into a play-off spot, it would represent quite the turnaround for Lampard. The former Chelsea and Derby boss took over earlier this season with the club languishing in 17th place and just two points above the relegation zone.
Now though, they are targeting a Championship exit in the other direction. With the crunch time of the season starting to approach, Lampard has stressed the importance of his side not allowing themselves to relax.
He said: “We have got ourselves in this position through hard work and we have to keep going. We can’t rest on momentum. We have it and it’s nice, but we must check ourselves and realise that every game is a challenge.
“I was concerned for Saturday’s game against Preston, and I will respect Oxford as well this week. We just have to keep going and focus on what we’re doing ourselves.
“We have got ourselves in a good position but there are so many points to fight for and it’s important to keep our feet on the ground at the same time.”
While Lampard is happy to let the excitement build among the supporters, he has emphasised that if his players start to ease off and think they’ve almost got over the line, it will come back to bite them.
He continued: “I don’t think it’s a problem on the outside because the fans should be excited. When it’s tough, it’s tough, but when it’s good you should be excited and they hopefully enjoy watching us play.
“But my job is to be Mr Reality and think we are where we are. Now we’re near the play-offs that’s an obvious goal for us so I am quite level-headed about that. I like people being excited around us, but when we get to work every day we sort of start again.
“We will use the confidence from the way we are playing but also understand that this game kicks you in the teeth if you relax, and that’s the only message I have for the players.”
Coventry look set to be boosted by two key returns
After Lampard confirmed that key figures Ben Sheaf and Haji Wright were back in full training last week, Coventry look set to receive a huge boost to their play-off push when they return over the next few weeks.
Club captain Sheaf, who has become arguably one of the Championship’s most consistent midfielders, returned to the pitch as a stoppage-time substitute in Saturday’s narrow win over Preston.
Meanwhile, American forward Wright, who hasn’t featured since 9th November, is also thought to be close to a return to action.
The imminent return of two of their most important players will surely be a huge boost for Lampard’s side. To regain your club captain and top scorer at such a crucial stage of the season should provide the squad and the fans with a huge lift and could prove to be the difference between finishing inside the top six or not.
With favourable fixtures over the next few weeks, this could be the perfect opportunity for City to force their way into a play-off spot, the key factor then will be whether they can retain it until May.
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