Coventry Metropolis are the one unbeaten workforce left within the high 4 leagues in England and look imperious on the high of the Championship desk.
Frank Lampard’s aspect have scored 27 objectives this season, which is at the least 12 greater than another within the second tier. Additionally they look rock strong on the again, with solely two sides within the league conceding greater than their complete of seven.
There have been 4 attracts of their opening six video games, however within the final three earlier than the worldwide break they put three previous Birmingham, 4 previous Millwall and 5 previous Sheffield Wednesday.
Overwhelmed in final season’s play-off semi-finals, the Sky Blues are trying like automatic-promotion contenders within the early phases of this marketing campaign.
‘They’ve began the season like a home on hearth’
“The amount of goals they’ve scored, and the type of goals they’re scoring, really stand out,” former Huddersfield, Stoke and Middlesbrough defender Tommy Smith instructed the Sky Sports activities Important EFL podcast. “One key factor for me is the completely different gamers contributing. It is one factor to attain objectives, however to share them round so effectively, like they’re doing, is spectacular.
Have a look at the aim scorers: Haji Wright’s obtained eight already, Victor Torp’s obtained 5, and others are chipping in too. The attacking expertise they have and the variability they will use is exceptional. You consider Simms, Sakamoto, Thomas-Asante – they have choices all over the place.
“They’ve started the season like a house on fire. They’re putting teams to bed with fours and fives, and that’s a great sign. Frank Lampard and every Coventry fan will be hoping that continues.”
‘Continuity key from final season’s momentum’
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Highlights from Sheffield Wednesday in opposition to Coventry within the Sky Wager Championship.
Lampard took over Coventry after they had been in seventeenth place almost a 12 months in the past, and led them to a top-six end. Within the play-offs they had been edged out within the semi-finals by a last-minute Sunderland aim.
Slightly than relaxation on their laurels, they’ve kicked on once more with a squad similar to final season’s marketing campaign.
“I was there at the Sunderland game in the playoff semi-final when they were hit late on, and how they’ve recovered from that is incredible,” Gary Weaver mentioned. “They were strong at the end of last season and unlucky to lose that tie, so really, they’ve just carried on from where they left off, and even improved.
“The truth that they have not introduced too many gamers in provides to the continuity. Supporters at all times need new signings, however maintaining the core group collectively helps. Frank was determined to ensure Coventry made a fast begin this season as a result of they’ve struggled with that lately.
“They have nearly the identical squad aside from three or 4 gamers. He needs extra depth, certain, however this group is aware of precisely what Frank needs.
“When you look at the underlying numbers, they’re top there as well. It’s not a freak occurrence that they’re leading the table. They’re scoring plenty, and now they’ve tightened up defensively too, which is huge.
“Proper now, Coventry are the perfect workforce within the Championship, and each the information and the attention check again that up.
‘For the time being they appear unstoppable’
“Over those two legs, I thought Coventry deserved to go through,” Smith added. “Sunderland did what they had to do, but from a footballing point of view, Coventry probably edged it.
“They have been sluggish starters in earlier Championship seasons, however this 12 months they have been the exact opposite. They’re completely flying.
“And just to touch on continuity again, it’s so important. For Frank to reflect on last season, recognise the positives and weaknesses, and then have a full pre-season – it was always going to bode well. They’re now seeing the benefits of that.
“The important thing now could be to maintain it going. That is the query everybody’s asking. We’re solely 9 video games into the season, and whereas they’re demolishing groups proper now, it is unlikely they will maintain that tempo for a full 46-game season.
“The question is when, or if, that run will stop. But at the moment, Coventry look unstoppable.”
