The Premier League beckons for Coventry City, but will it be achieved this Friday as the Sky Blues travel up to Ewood Park as they face Blackburn Rovers?
After last weekend's disappointing draw to bottom-side strugglers Sheffield Wednesday, Frank Lampard will want to ensure officially that he leads Coventry to the promised land, ending their 25-year wait. Still, the impressive feat can only be achieved with at least a point on Friday evening, and only six more are required for the title.
Their stance at the top looks all but confirmed after Portsmouth picked up maximum points against Middlesbrough and Ipswich in their last two games, with Connor Chaplin sealing a late winner against Boro to lend a massive hand to his current and former employers, the Pompey lad, a former Sky Blue.
What do City Need to Improve on from Last Week?
Simply put, Coventry need to go out and get as many points as possible. Sounds obvious, but at this stage of the season, the Sky Blues will be looking for points over performances.
Coventry registered a staggering 69% possession according to FotMob, yet out of their 20 shots, only three managed to hit the target. Therefore, one thing to improve come Friday will be hitting the target to threaten the keeper.
The main issue with the 0-0 draw last weekend actually came from the mentality of the side that played, it felt from the stands as if Lampard’s men believed they won the match before a ball had been kicked.
So, with six more points required for the title, and Pompey playing a helping hand over the last two games, Coventry really need to make this match matter in the Championship title race.
Labelled “a Champions League player” by Lampard after his recent performances, Rudoni has seen an upturn in form, matching that of last season for the 24-year-old. With 7 goals and 5 assists this season, as FotMob tell us, the creative midfielder has been a key figure in the league leaders' midfield department, even if those numbers shadow last season’s 23 contributions.
But stats that purely tally contributions don’t surpass the eye test. City’s number five is always on the ball and looking to create whatever opportunity he can; this is proven by the fact he creates 1.48 key chances per 90. Additionally, he averages just under 63 touches per game, showing his influence in Coventry’s transitional play.
Season Review: How did the Sky Blues Get Here?
Barring a complete collapse, Coventry City will be promoted, even if it isn’t done on Friday. In fact, it is more than likely they will run out as champions of the Championship.
But it is important to understand what has led them to this historic milestone for themselves, regardless of whether or not they leave the division with any silverware to their name.
Coventry’s story has been well documented as of late. From financial difficulties and even playing outside of Coventry on multiple occasions, this is a club and a city with a rich history.
They almost achieved promotion back in 2023, but a loss to Luton Town on penalties in the Championship play-off final prolonged their wait to climb back to the top of English football.
Fast forward from that day to the start of this season, and now Lampard’s men really had one goal in mind: promotion by any means.
Sitting pretty, but my no means over, Coventry top the table by 10 points at the time of writing, and with four games to go, look as if they are finally going back to the top flight.
But let's take a look back over the last 42 games and see how they got themselves into this position.
The Sky Blues started the season with a rather dull 0-0 draw against Hull City at the Coventry Building Society Arena, but with a new keeper replacing Brad Collins in net. That man was Carl Rushworth, and the Brighton and Hove Albion loanee has proven to be an inspired signing.
Following on from this, they won 2 of the next league games, a 3-5 thriller away at Derby County, and the 7-1 thrashing of QPR at a place to finally call home, having purchased the CBS the same day.
Fun fact, they also played QPR in their very first game there.
Coventry went undefeated in the league until the 31st October, when Wrexham would snatch 3 points in a 3-2 contest.
The good form continued once again until the 29th December, when a second league defeat to Ipswich, and third of the season, would start a downturn in form.
Losses against Birmingham, Norwich and QPR would follow over the next month, and even see them fall off top spot, though that was not superseded for more than a week when the Sky Blues beat Middlesbrough to reclaim their long-held reign as leaders of the Championship table.
Since that day (16th February), Coventry have only lost once, against Southampton, and have reforged a 10-point gap at the top, destined for Premier League football.
Whatever way you look at it, this city and this fanbase have faced turmoil for years, and now those in Sky Blue will get to party their best party in a long, long time.
A journey that Mark Robins started 9 years ago, Frank Lampard will finally get to take the final step into the promised land.