Coventry City head coach Frank Lampard remains optimistic about their Championship play-off prospects against Sunderland, despite trailing after the first leg. The Sky Blues suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat at home, but Lampard is focused on the return fixture at the Stadium of Light tomorrow night where they aim to reverse their fortunes.
Lampard expressed his determination, saying: "We know exactly what it is, this was always a two-legged tie, the game is still there."
He emphasised the team's motivation: "We've got great incentive to try and turn it around, turn the result around and leave everything on the pitch for sure."
Drawing from his wealth of experience in high-pressure matches, Lampard recalled past successes in similar situations. He reminisced about a Champions League quarter-final with Chelsea, where they secured a 4-4 draw in the second leg to advance 7-5 on aggregate against Liverpool.
Additionally, he referenced leading Derby County to an unforgettable comeback victory over Leeds United in the 2019 play-offs, overturning a first-leg deficit to win 4-3 on aggregate.
Reflecting on the unpredictability of football, Lampard concluded: "I think I've been in football long enough regardless of the Derby game to know it's never done until it's done, in both ways.
"I remember being 3-1 up in a Champions League game against Liverpool and they scored two to go 3-3 at Stamford Bridge. That was in about half-an-hour, the game changed completely.
"At Derby when we went to Leeds, we went 2-0 down, because we'd been 1-0 down. There's too many things to talk about, so the game's still there."
Friday's first leg saw Wilson Isidor break the deadlock in the 68th minute before Jack Rudoni provided an instant response.
Although Coventry put in a solid display, Mayenda then struck late for the visitors and Lampard admitted that his side need to remain cautious about Sunderland's threats.
"I think we have to take some confidence from that, but it's a game that's gone now," he said. "When you play each other at such a tight turnaround and understand that we controlled a lot of the game. Did we have enough intent at the top of the pitch? At times, not so much.
"It's better to reflect on the game like that than reflect on it another way. Particularly with a team like Sunderland, they're a very good team at this level and we have to expect that the game can look different.
"It's a balanced approach, we know we played pretty well, we know we can do better, but have to be wary about what Sunderland turn up as and the individuals that they've got, which remain the same individuals that can hurt you at any minute.
"We're well prepped for the game, the players are in a good place. We'll be ready to give everything."
Get Leeds United news to your phone with our WhatsApp community
Want the inside track on transfers? There's now a way you can get breaking news and the best reads sent straight to your device. By joining the Leeds United community on WhatsApp, you'll see the biggest and best stories as soon as they happen.
It's quick and easy to join. Just click this link and select 'Join Community' to get started.
No one else in the community will be able to see your personal information and you will only receive messages from the Leeds Live sports team. We will not spam your WhatsApp feed with constant messages, but you will receive updates from us daily.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If for some reason you decide you no longer want to be in our community, you can leave by clicking on the name at the top of your screen and clicking 'Exit Group'. You can read our Privacy Notice here.