Everton vs Coventry: The Opposition View As Lampard Praised

Everton will host Coventry City at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Friday night, and there will be a familiar face in the away dugout. Frank Lampard returns to the Toffees to face his former club after getting Coventry promoted last season.

Lampard's side lost their opening four league games of the season without scoring a goal, but they managed to pick up three victories in the top flight since then.

Ahead of the game on Friday evening, we spoke to John Dawkins of the That Cov Pod to get some insights from the Coventry side.

John doesn't believe that Coventry are overachieving after their three wins in their last five Premier League matches.  He believes the club sit roughly where many people would have predicted, once the opening run of games is taken into account.

"I’d say we’re probably about where many people expected us to be, particularly given the start we had. The first few games were a real reality check, but I always felt there was enough quality and character in the group to find our feet."

It was a difficult start for the Midlands side, failing to score in their opening four matches, and there's no doubt Coventry fans would have been incredibly worried. It's been a quick turnaround, though, so Lampard and his team deserve credit.

"The wins against Forest and Newcastle, in particular, showed what we’re capable of, and the Sunderland result was another really important response. We’re starting to look like a team that belongs at this level and are starting to bleed in more of the new signings who are making a Difference. There’s a long way to go, but the confidence is growing, and there’s a real belief around the club."

Newcastle's victory in particular would have been a standout for commentary, defeating the North East side 4-1 at home. Goals from Jack Rudoni, Sidiki Cherif, Ellis Simms, and Stephen Mfuni secured their first Premier League win of the season. 

When speaking about Coventry's biggest weaknesses at the moment, John points straight to the midfield. The defence have performed well so far, but they can often be left exposed due to the midfield shape.

 "Defensively, the back four are immense under constant pressure, but that underlines the midfield issue both defensively and offensively. think we’re still a little too open at times. We can be quite expansive, which is great when it works, but in the Premier League you get punished for the smallest mistakes. We’ve conceded too many goals and probably give teams too much space in dangerous areas bully back off or being wide open at times centrally."

That's certainly not too dissimilar to Lampard's time at Everton, when he struggled to get the midfield balance right. John does believe that, although it's been a problem for Coventry, it is being addressed by Lampard.

"It’s a balance between keeping the attacking identity that got us here and learning when to be a little more pragmatic. Recent changes in midfield have meant we are now trying to be more progressive and play through the lines rather than take the easy option, which brings relief defensively and makes us more of a threat. That’s something we’ll need to get right if we’re going to stay up."

Lampard's spell at Everton didn't end so well, but he also kept them up the season before. Everyone will remember that night at home to Crystal Palace for many years to come.

John speaks about the job Lampard has done during his time at Coventry, labeling it remarkable.

"I think Frank has been fantastic for Coventry. What he’s done since coming in has been remarkable, and getting us promoted was a huge achievement. He’s brought a real belief and energy to the club, and I think he’s shown this season that he’s prepared to adapt tactically rather than stubbornly stick to one way of playing like he probably did at your place." 

Lampard simply had to become more adaptable if he wants to survive as a Premier League manager. That's especially important when managing a side like Coventry, who have just been promoted from the Championship. 

"He’s also got a good connection with the players and supporters. Of course, keeping us up is a completely different challenge, but he has definitely earned the opportunity to lead us through this next chapter."

To finish, we asked John to pick one Everton player they would take for Coventry. John went for a pick we have seen previously, including in our most recent interview with a Newcastle correspondent: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. 

It's perhaps a slightly controversial pick due to the fact that he's a former Leicester player, as John points out.

"Despite being ex Leicester I think Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. I think he’d be a brilliant fit for us. He’s got energy, technical ability, a great engine and the ability to arrive in the box and make things happen. He’d add another dimension to our midfield and give us that bit of Premier League quality, pace we lack, and experience."

If Coventry want more control and threat from midfield, as John has previously pointed out, then Dewsbury-Hall would be that man. He's undoubtedly one player that Lampard and his team will be doing everything they can to try to keep quiet.

A big thanks to John from the That Cov Pod for speaking to us.