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Frank Lampard makes 'tougher' demand after watching Coventry City for the first time in the flesh

Coventry City head coach Frank Lampard shouts instruction to players
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Frank Lampard admits there is plenty to work on with his newly inherited Coventry City squad after watching them twice come from behind to snatch a late point in his first game in charge at the CBS Arena.

The new Sky Blues boss received a warm welcome from the supporters ahead of the game against fourth from bottom Cardiff but soon saw his players’ defensive frailties when they conceded from a free header from a corner just four minutes into his tenure.

Ephron Mason-Clark restored parity minutes later but the Bluebirds came out the stronger of the two sides after the break when they regained their lead, only to concede a late penalty which allowed Victor Torp to slot home to secure a point with 88 minutes on the clock.

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Asked for his assessment of his first game in charge, City’s new head coach said: “A mixture of feelings, I guess, some good and some less so in terms of the performance. I was pleased to get the point considering the circumstances of being 2-1 down, so there were good reactions and good character, some good impacts from certain subs.

“There was some good play in the first half that I liked, moving the ball and playing through. We have had two days and it’s hard to make an impact with that but I saw some things that probably relate to why we are where we are, especially early in the second half when we conceded and our reaction took a while so I had to impact it with subs.

“But listen, there are basics in football that have to be there, especially in the Championship because of the nature of it; first balls, second balls, fight and scrap and reactions, being a bit tougher. I think that’s something as a group that we can be.

“That’s not to say the lads aren’t tough but in terms of our performance we were slightly off in moments, so lots to take on and work on.”

Picking the bones out of the two goals that were conceded, Lampard said: “I was clearly disappointed with the set-piece to get a free header to score. It’s not nice but it can happen, and then the second goal I was more disappointed that we didn’t get out to the shot, block the shot, run at it full pelt to body and block it, so that feels like an individual thing, and then when you are where we are it ends up in the bottom corner rather than in the keeper’s hands.

“But I don’t want to bordering on the side of negative because I am pleased that we have got our point. I know what this league is like, it’s not easy to get momentum. You have to fight for momentum.”

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