'I've watched Frank Lampard's Coventry City rise at close quarters - here's what I've seen'

From 17th in the table and rock bottom in confidence, has not only managed to take to the playoffs, but he’s done it by respecting everything built by Mark Robins and breathed new life into the squad.

It wasn’t long ago we as Coventry fans were facing a life without the man who had steered our ship for almost eight years. As the revolving doors of football managers kept spinning around us in the Championship, he was our steadfast, guiding us to the best days in recent history.

We were all stopped in our tracks on the morning of November 7 2024, when it was time to say goodbye to the man who had given us four Wembley visits in seven years - whether we liked it or not. Fast forward almost a month to November 28, we were sat 17th and Frank Lampard was announced as head coach - dividing the fan base.

But it wasn’t a time to be divided, it was a time to get behind the new manager, because it was clear that the confidence was broken, and the pieces of our once-lively squad needed putting back together.

“We were 17th for a reason,” said Lampard on Thursday “This club’s had some really good success in moving up the leagues in recent years, reaching the play-off final (in 2023), the semi-finals (last season). So there’s great credit but this season we were not where we want to be.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

“We were probably in a relegation fight at that point. So I didn’t expect it at all. But at the same I came in, I wanted to be confident in the squad. I wanted to make us better. And at that point it was how much better? How many steps can we take?

“The rest is down to a lot of people in the building. First of all the players, you can’t do anything without the players, but also the desire and passion of the ownership and everybody who works here at the training ground, and the fans who have really gone with us.”

Since Lampard and his coaching staff, Joe Edwards and Chris Jones, arrived we now look like a completely different side - both on the pitch and off it.

Lampard’s been taking one-on-one sessions with Jack Rudoni, a player brought by Robins. He has flourished under the and England legend, providing the joint second most assists in the Championship this season and offering a different kind of magic we haven’t seen at Coventry in a while, a player thriving off the pressure, finding space while crowded by four opposition players and still managing to sweep them under the carpet.

He's now got admirers from inside the top flight, and if we do make it to the , we’ll need to keep him to have any fighting chance as he really does complete our midfield.

In the last six months we’ve gone from being a relatively downbeat team with shattered confidence to breaking records and seeing the dressing room bouncing again. Dreaded long-standing ‘curses’ against Preston and Swansea have been broken, league and stadium attendances have been broken, and for the first time in the club's history, have nine league games in the last 10.

The squad has found a new resilience, becoming the comeback kings of the Championship, scoring five stoppage time winners at home this season, while also scoring 19 goals from headers - at least six more than any other team in England’s second tier this season.

The sea of sky blue on Saturday against Middlesbrough was a sight to behold, and this rollercoaster of a season isn’t even over yet. It only seems fitting that we face , a team who we broke another record against earlier this term. The feeling of confidence going into these games is a far cry from the uncertainty that we felt right up until . Whether it's on the pitch or from behind the scenes footage of players laughing, looking relaxed and really bonding with each other, it’s enough to feel like this could really be our time to go all the way. And even if we don't quite get there, there's a feeling of pride for this team.

In comparison from our previous playoffs, we have less loan players, the stadium feels more like home, the atmosphere is electric, the city is a buzz, there are children and adults wearing the badge with pride. It's a different Coventry City from the playoffs of yesteryear that left us so heartbroken time and again.

What Lampard, Edwards and Jones have done for Coventry City with the support of owner Doug King is nothing short of tremendous. Robins did a phenomenal job that should never be forgotten but his time ended.

Now there’s a new lease of life in every single one of the players, and they’re about to go into battle for the biggest fight once again to make it to a second playoff final in three seasons.

and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our