FOOTBALL – Frank Lampard admits Coventry City had ‘two different plans’ for Bristol City clash
FRANK Lampard admits Coventry City had prepared two different plans following uncertainty around the club’s weekend fixture against Bristol City.
Coventry only knew they would face the Robins this weekend following Bristol City’s defeat against Port Vale in the FA Cup in midweek.
The Robins suffered a shock 1-0 defeat against League One’s bottom side in extra time in the fourth round of the competition at Vale Park.
However, had Bristol City won the match, the Robins would have taken on Sunderland in the fifth round of the FA Cup this weekend instead of facing Coventry.
Bristol City’s defeat means Coventry will now face the Robins in the Championship this weekend and Lampard expects a reaction from Gerhard Struber’s side following the club’s surprise FA Cup exit.
Lampard said: “We had two different plans and ideas for how the week might pan out.
“It was only tricky for the staff not the players. We’ve trained well and just adapted around it.
“It was a surprising result in midweek but in reality going away in the FA Cup is not an easy game.
“I don’t read too much into it. They’ll want to respond to it and we have to be aware of that.”
On-loan midfielder Frank Onyeka came off early in the second half of Coventry’s dramatic win against Stoke City last weekend.
And Lampard admits the Nigeria international has only just returned to training with the Sky Blues but remains in contention for selection.
Lampard added: “He hasn’t trained much but he’s due to train today so we’ll see how he is tomorrow.
“He’s been great. He already has a link with the fans. They respect a good player who gives everything for the team.
“When we recruited him there was the playing profile which is different to what we’ve got already.
“But also we’re quite light on Premier League experience so there’s a know-how in his game.
“Not many of our players have been exposed to the Premier League. He’s made a big impact on and off the pitch.
“He’s come in and helped our upturn in recent weeks.”
Coventry are next in action against Bristol City on Saturday, March 7 with kick-off at 3pm at Ashton Gate.
