In the last three seasons Coventry have lost a play-off final on pens, an FA Cup semi to a VAR nonsense, and a play-off semi to two last minute goals over both legs – so is this finally the year their luck matches the quality of their team? We spoke to Dominic Jerams (@SideSammy)

So near and yet so far for Cov again last year, how do you reflect on the season overall?

I think last year has to be viewed as a successful one, even if it ended losing so agonisingly having probably been the better ream over two legs against a Sunderland side now in the Prem and chucking millions around. It was a different kind of achievement to when we last made the play-offs. Then, it felt like a high-water mark, this time it feels like we had a top six quality squad who achieved par. Losing didn’t quite hurt in the same way as it feels like there is more road to run, rather than reaching the end of one.

Terrific results under Lampard so far, what do you make of him, what's he changed?

I’ll confess that I really wasn’t a fan of Frank Lampard’s appointment. It felt like a move from an owner that doesn’t know a great deal about football being wowed by a celebrity name. Lampard has shown thus far that there is far more substance to his managerial approach than many are willing to give him credit for. As for the tangible impact he’s made, there’s been a weird thing where we’ve managed to achieve results without him really looking to have executed the style of football he’s wanted. The signing of Matt Grimes in January demonstrated Lampard has wanted us to play a very deliberate, dominant passing style but it’s hard to point towards many performances where that’s happened. Instead, it’s been a case of star individuals taking turns to step up. It started with Ephron Mason-Clark hitting great form ghosting in off the wing to find scoring form. Then it was Oliver Dovin producing heroics in goal while the defence in front of him kept him busy. The final part of the season was Jack Rudoni channelling his inner Frank Lampard to score plenty from midfield. To get results without playing your preferred style is to Frank Lampard’s credit, the question this season is whether having more time to implement what he (and his coaching staff) want will make us better or worse.

Cov so far…
Coventry 0-0 Hull
Coventry 1-0 Luton Simms 57
Derby 3-5 Coventry Elder 12, Morris pen 45, Adams 50 – Thomas 7, Wright pen 25, Thomas-Asante 72, Mason-Clark 75, Torp 79

How have the first three games gone - pretty amazing contrast!?

After an insufferably dull opening day draw at Hull City and eking out a Carabao win over Luton Town, this team was in danger of becoming a Scott Parker’s Burnley-style joyless clean-sheet and winning machine. That 5-3 win at Derby County at the weekend showed there’s still a propensity for chaos amid the careful, possession-based approach that Frank Lampard has wanted to make this team. It's too early to assess what the true nature of this team is but what is apparent is that there remains talent in forward areas and an ability to grab goals when needed, which is good because the defence does not look any stronger than last season – unsurprising, given the lack of new, starting players added in that area.

What transfers have you done this summer, what still needs to be done?

We have been circumspect in our transfer business this summer as we haven’t lost anyone from what was a top six squad last year. The key piece of business is probably getting Carl Rushworth in on loan from Brighton, with Oliver Dovin possibly missing most of the season through injury, we just couldn’t take the risk sticking with Brad Collins and Ben Wilson (aka, ‘Can’t Save and Won’t Save’) even if Dovin could be rushed back ahead of schedule. Having even basic competence in goal in Dovin’s absence could be the difference between mid-table and the top six.

Other additions have been Kaine Kesler-Hayden at right-back and Miguel Angel Brau at left-back. If each played on the other side, that would be very good business indeed as Kesler-Hayden is possibly already one of the best full-backs in the division, while Brau is very raw. Instead, Kesler-Hayden is going to be a way too luxury second-choice right-back until Milan van Ewijk leaves, while we are hoping that Miguel Angel Brau can learn the English word for tackle pretty soon.

Nothing further of the incoming variety and almost no rumours to be had either, which has made for a rather dull summer but reflects that this is a big squad that is probably already top six quality. After selling Luis Binks shortly before the season, the one open spot in the squad looks to be at centre-back. There seems to be money to spend but nothing looks to be particularly close with the deadline beginning to loom. There can’t be many top six candidates looking to get to January with back-up centre-backs of the calibre of Joel Latibeaudiere and Jake Bidwell. Another forward of some variety would be nice, but that is probably being a little greedy.

Ins >>> Kaine Kesley-Hayden, 22, RB, Villa, £3.5m >>> Miguel Angel Brau, 23, LB, Granada, Free >>> Carl Rushworth, 24, GK, Brighton, Loan

Outs >>> Luis Binks, 23, CB, Brondby, £2,5m >>> Jamie Paterson, 33, AM, Plymouth, Free >>> Jack Burroughs, 24, RB, Northampton, Free >>> Fabio Tavares, 24, CF, Burton, Free >>> Ryan Howley, 21, CM, Bristol Rovers, Free >>> Cian Tyler, 23, GK, Released

Where is the team strong and weak?

The wealth of options in attacking areas is the biggest strength of this team. All of the attention at the moment is on Jack Rudoni but the truth is that if an opponent looks to stop Rudoni, that means there’s extra space for players like Haji Wright, Ephron Mason-Clark and Victor Torp to make an impact. Tatsuhiro Sakamoto might be injured for the next week or so, but Brandon Thomas-Asante and maybe even Raphael Borges Rodrigues can step up without too much drop-off. The area of weakness remains the defence. While there is a caveat that Coventry haven’t conceded from open play yet this season, the centre-back duo of Liam Kitching and Bobby Thomas still look to have a mistake in them, while Jay Dasilva at left-back is always going to be targetable under the high ball because of his short stature. In goal. Carl Rushworth may be capable of making some big saves but hasn’t been the most commanding of presences from crosses. It remains a backline that looks short of a leader.

What happens if Thomas goes to Sheff Utd as rumoured?

I’d be sad if he went as he’s the closest we have to a good defender and has produced some massive moments with the goals he’s scored. When I saw £8m quoted by Sky Sports I thought that was a very good price for him. The main problem is it’s late in the window and we’re already struggling to get in a replacement for one CB, let alone two.

It all looks to be progressing back to the Prem sooner or later, is it to be this season?

We are clearly trying our hardest to get to the Premier League, however, the sad truth is that if the majority of the parachute teams even remotely have their acts together, our (or anyone’s) hope of getting back to the Prem is down to the lottery of the play-offs. It’s hard to say anything more than ‘I think we’re good enough to make the top six’ rather than predict what might happen over two legs and Wembley.

Links >>> Coventry City — Official Website >>> Coventry Telegraph — Local Press >>> Sky Blues Talk — Forum >>> Sky Blues Blog — Blog >>> Sideways Sammy — Blog >>> The Lonely Season — Blog >>> Sky Blues TV - Classic Match Highlights >>> Access All Areas — Podcast

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Pictures - Reuters Connect

TacticalR added 13:40 - Aug 23 Thanks to Dominic. 'The question this season is whether having more time to implement what he (and his coaching staff) want will make us better or worse'. The Lampard paradox. Interesting that as goals are being conceded as well as scored, Coventry should be entertaining to watch. As Coventry have kept the squad together expectation of a play-off position seem reasonable.

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