‘Amazing’ – Frank Lampard heaps praise on Mark Robins ahead of Coventry City vs Stoke City

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Coventry City and Frank Lampard are looking for their ninth win in ten games against Stoke City and Mark Robins in the lunchtime clash at the CBS Arena.

The Chelsea legend was named as the new Sky Blues boss back in November, after Doug King made the surprise decision to sack the popular Mark Robins following seven-and-a-half years in charge.

His side are one of the in-form sides in the division at the moment, with the Midlands outfit flying up to fifth in the Championship table with their recent winning form.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	35	22	10	3	72	22	50	76
2	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	35	23	6	6	50	27	23	73
3	BurnleyBurnley	35	19	14	2	45	10	35	71
4	SunderlandSunderland	35	18	11	6	52	32	20	65
5	CoventryCoventry	35	15	8	12	49	44	5	53
6	West BromWest Brom	35	12	16	7	45	32	13	52
7	Bristol CityBristol City	35	13	13	9	45	38	7	52
8	BlackburnBlackburn	35	15	7	13	40	35	5	52
9	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	35	14	8	13	55	46	9	50

After a decent start under Lampard, the Sky Blues have been brilliant recently, with victory at Oxford breaking 55-year-long records by making it eight wins from their last nine games. Not only that, but former curses that haunted Coventry against Preston have been broken after a recent 2-1 win as well.

• READ MORE: Bristol City become dark horses for promotion this season as they look to end decades-long exile from top flight

Frank Lampard’s verdict on Stoke City and Mark Robins

Their form has been excellent of late, but particularly at home. However, when Lampard was appointed, it was expected that this season would perhaps be about consolidating, and the new manager has more than just surpassed expectations thus far.

Ahead of the visit of Robins and Stoke City, Leeds United remain the only side to beat the West Midlands outfit at the CBS Arena in the Championship since Lampard took over the job.

Frank Lampard hopes his Coventry side ignore the noise around Robins, despite congratulating the his predecessor for the good work at the club previously. He spoke to Sky Sports ahead of the game and said: “I wouldn’t say it has been difficult [to focus].

“For us, we have to focus on the game in hand; it’s too important for us. We are on a good run. We want to continue that feeling and continue the feeling of confidence.

“We know we have to be absolutely focused against what is a strong team.

“I’m very happy for the reception that Mark will rightly get here. He deserves it for the incredible period of time that he came here in working the club up through the leagues for seven years,

“I know, in this job, that is such an amazing innings. So, he deserves that, but we focus on the game.”

• READ MORE: Who will win the Championship Golden Boot race?

Frank Lampard and Coventry City are oozing confidence ahead of Mark Robins visit

Lampard’s team has largely been settled, but Jack Rudoni’s injury is a blow and will force Lampard to make changes for Coventry against Stoke.

Crucially, to be in the play-offs right now is a great achievement from the situation he took over, with Lampard and the players deserving huge credit for the run they have been on.

There is evidently a confidence, a swagger, and plenty of belief around the club as they head into the run-in. Lampard’s side have hit momentum at just the right time, and there is an evident and tangible unity between the fans, players, and manager.

He will hope to beat Robins, who knows Coventry’s weaknesses. That could be a crucial factor during the game today, but the spirit of the team could see Cov through in the lunchtime fixture against Stoke.