Coventry City match reaction from CoventryLive as Frank Lampard gives his assessment of today’s performance at The Hawthorns
Coventry City head coach Frank Lampard during the Sky Bet Championship match at The Hawthorns
Frank Lampard hailed his players’ “professional” performance as they secured their first away win since November to maintain their grip on top spot in the league.
First half goals from Ephron Mason-Clark and Jack Rudoni put the Sky Blues on course for the full three points against West Brom – a feat they hadn’t achieved at The Hawthorns since 2007.
The City boss insisted he wanted to address his side’s form on the road in the build-up to the game and delighted with the way his players went about their jobs.
“Yeah, really good performance away from home,” he said, commenting on the 2-0 win.
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“We know it’s been a thing since we went to Boro back in November and we wanted to correct it. And I thought the performance was one to correct the run of results because it was professional in every element.
“It was a tricky game because of the pitch, the atmosphere, everyone expecting us probably to win and then there was a bit of anxiety around here. But maybe we felt that when other games had gone this season and we’ve let teams off the hook, but we didn’t let them off the hook today, I think, with our professionalism.”
He added: “We scored two great goals in the first half. There was a lot of control but no real threats against us in the first half and then we dealt with and managed the game really well in the second half. “We didn’t want to give them anything and I know they had some little moments but I thought we got into that mid block in the middle of the pitch and were really diligent about what we did.
“I wanted them to have the ball a bit at the back in the second half. I wasn’t interested in high pressing or offering up transitions, and we didn’t much. So I’m really pleased how the lads took that message on.”
As for the goals, Lampard said: “The first was great, good transition from a great tackle from Frank (Onyeka) and then a great ball from Milan and a run from Ephron, which is stuff we talk about a lot.
“We actually mentioned it with this game. We were not sure whether they would play a back four or a back five but if it was a four we thought we could run through the back line a bit. And Ephron did and his timing was great and it was a calm finish as well.
“And then Rudi’s, I’m delighted for Rudi because his form is improving. His injury problems this year have been the only reason he hasn’t had the year that we all wanted and expected for him because he’s a high talent. And then he showed that confidence to keep driving with the ball and not try to make the pass too soon, and then hit an incredible strike. So I’m delighted for him individually.”
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