Frank Lampard considered Coventry City’s 1-0 victory over Bristol City on Saturday to be another step in the right direction towards what exactly he wants from his team in the long run. Brandon Thomas-Asante ended his 18-match goal drought with a sublime finish in the second half against the Robins to seal another home win under Lampard and extend their unbeaten run at the CBS Arena to seven matches.
Thomas-Asante lined up alongside Ellis Simms in attack and the pair caused problems for the Bristol back-line; the first hour or so involved a number of openings for both forwards which were frustratingly passed up, but summer signing Thomas-Asante made no mistake from admittedly one of the more difficult opportunities.
Lampard made it clear in the week that between the pair, and fellow forward Norman Bassette, City simply haven’t scored enough through their strikers since his appointment and he has held talks with them, challenging them to improve their output. There were clear signs of that here, although clearly for all concerned the situation can be bettered still.
“There’s lots to improve, but there’s some nice things that we’re seeing,” Lampard said. “When you have two strikers like Ellis and Brandon, you have to maximise those – the hold up, linking. It was certainly a step forward in many areas, but there are many more steps to go, I’d say.
“For me, it’s only the work. Brandon and Ellis, and Norman, we’ve not had enough goals from our strikers. I put some pressure on them this week because if they work and listen to what we want them to do, and really take care of balls coming into them, compete and run channels, good things will come, as I see it. They have to do it every time they play.
“When they begin to look more confident, it’s because of the work. I’m really pleased and hopefully they can continue with that way, because in games like today which are close, you need a moment from Brandon, or Ellis. That’ll always be the way.
“Ellis was really good. I’ve had good conversations with him. He’s a good kid, he isn’t as old as you think because he’s been around a while but he’s only 24. He has all the attributes and it’s about maximising them – I thought the same, it feels like he’s getting closer to the moments when the goals are going to drop for him because of how he is playing.”
Lampard also outlined that he hasn’t so much as mentioned the transfer speculation linking Thomas-Asante with a move away from the club, to the player, this week. Thomas-Asante only joined from West Brom in the summer but both Tuesday night’s opponents Blackburn Rovers and Mark Robins’ Stoke City were credited with an interest this week.
“I haven’t spoken to him about it,” Lampard confirmed. “I don’t want to talk to him about it! Just go and play, and he did, so it’s all good. He’s our player. People keep telling me he’s had a hard time here. Since I’ve been here he hasn’t played as many minutes, particularly where he wants to play, but when he has in the last three games I have seen lots of stuff I like from him.
“It’s better that your players are interested than not, if there’s any truth in it. It means that they’re playing at a level. I’m used to it. Whether there’s truth or rumours, if the player takes it the right way, it’s a good thing. Okay, if somebody wants me I’m going to show it every week. If I want to stay at this club, I’m going to show it every week. The rest is all in the future.”
Generally speaking, Lampard was heartened by what he saw from his players, while acknowledging that this was more of a baby step forwards as opposed to a giant leap. He kept faith with Jay Dasilva and restored Joel Latibeaudiere, decisions which were ultimately justified after another well earned clean sheet.
“I’m pleased,” he added. “It was a tough match, not a perfect performance but good opposition. We deserved to win the game, based on overall chances. Good character, good resilience, good effort to keep a clean sheet and see the game out. We created enough chances to score and then we score one of our harder chances. It was a great goal. I’m very, very pleased.
“We’ve changed the system a bit. It helps us in ways but it’s also more because of the players who are missing at the minute, so it’s put us in a position. How can we maximise the shape, and be as effective as we can be? The feeling at half time was that there was some good stuff, but how can we be cleaner in the final third to make good moments into very good moments?”
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