Latest Coventry City news from CoventryLive, as commentator Simon Jordan presents key questions concerning manager Frank Lampard.
Frank Lampard has led Coventry City to the Championship play-offs, but he still has much to show even if he wins promotion this season, according to reports.
In late November, the Chelsea icon replaced Mark Robins, who had led the Sky Blues to a relegation battle instead of promotion.
In just three months, the club has achieved an astounding 36 points out of 54, with 11 wins, three ties, and only four losses.
It is a stunning reversal that has helped to alleviate the blow of Robins’ abrupt resignation after seven and a half years of great success at the club.
Simon Jordan, a pundit on TalkSport, discussed Robins’ return to the CBS Arena with new team Stoke City, Lampard, and the Sky Blues.
The former Crystal Palace owner stated, “There have been no questions about Frank Lampard managing at Championship level.
“He went into the Championship, coached Derby, and did a good job. He was able to access many of Chelsea’s younger players and propel them to the play-offs.
“So I have no doubt that Frank Lampard can manage at the Championship level. He’s demonstrated that he can. The question concerning Frank was whether he could manage at an elite level. If Coventry improves, we’ll see if he’s capable.
“We’ve seen him go to Chelsea, and he did well for the first season. Then it became a challenge.
“I don’t think he was fantastic at Everton, and whichever you slice and dice it, I believe they would have been relegated if Frank had stayed that season. We will never know because Sean Dyche was the one who kept them going, and the rest is history.
“He returned to Chelsea, which I believe was a poor decision for him, and he should never have done it. I believe he should have safeguarded his image by not returning at that time, but there is an allegiance involved, and I understand why he did.
“So I am not surprised that Frank Lampard has got into Coventry, but it is nonsense for the owner to suggest he wouldn’t have given him targets.”
In an earlier interview with TalkSport, Sky Blues owner Doug King denied Lampard had been given aims to achieve with Coventry, adding, “They’re just words, aren’t they? I didn’t really set any expectations.
Jordan responded by saying, “He may not have made them publicly, but I’m pretty damn sure… in a situation like that, you incentivise accordingly.”
Jordan remarked of Coventry’s run: “I’m not shocked. They’ve had a great run, scoring 24 points in their last ten games. They’ve now put themselves in a position to make the playoffs. And I believe they will (be there at the conclusion of the season).
“But what it tells you is that the previous manager (Robins) had a good enough squad (to triumph) but wasn’t using it properly. And the guy coming in has been quite fortunate because they haven’t had to do anything, as water is rarely transformed into wine.
“So the players must have been good enough…” Frank Lampard has delivered, and he continues to deliver.
“Is there any doubt in my mind that Frank Lampard would perform at this level? No, he has done this previously. Now the question is whether he can do it in the Premier League.
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