Coventry City

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  1. 'The perfect time' to drop Grimespublished at 09:57 GMT 3 November

    Matt Grimes of Coventry City passes the ball during the Premier League match against FulhamImage source, Getty Images

    Coventry City fan Danny Finlay says Saturday's victory over Sunderland "was the perfect time" to drop captain Matt Grimes from the starting line-up.

    Despite continuing to adapt to the Premier League, supporters had become increasingly concerned about the Sky Blues midfield and it being consistently overrun and turned over.

    Grimes was instrumental in Coventry's Championship title-winning campaign, but questions were being raised over the skipper's physicality having started all eight league games until Saturday.

    "Quite a few supporters have been calling for Lampard to do it for a few games," said Danny on the BBC CWR Sky Blues Fancast. "In some games he has struggled physically with the tempo and then there's also his positioning.

    "We don't know if him sitting deep is the gaffer's instruction, but it doesn't work for us this season.

    "We had loads of the ball last season so he was the perfect holding midfielder for us, but unfortunately that doesn't work in the Premier League.

    "At 31, he's also not going to get any quicker or stronger. I'm not saying get rid of him, but they are the signs that have led us to where we are now."

    Listen to the full discussion, plus much more on BBC Sounds here

  2. 🎧 Sky Blues Fancast - a midfield dilemmapublished at 19:40 GMT 2 November

    The latest episode of your Sky Blues Fancast is now live.

    Will Oelrich is joined by fans Danny Finlay and Matt Cattell.

    They consider squad confidence, a midfield dilemma and a team selection conundrum for facing Everton.

    Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and subscribe to the dedicated Coventry City page to get all Sky Blues audio content.

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  3. Coventry 3-1 Sunderland - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:28 GMT 2 November

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    We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Coventry City and Sunderland.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Coventry fans

    Rob: We will have to play against better defences than Sunderland. Scored three times from four chances and will need to create more chances against superior opponents. Nevertheless, I can celebrate the result.

    Frazer: Frank Lampard showed courage and leadership by making four changes from the Fulham game, especially benching Matt Grimes and starting Tatsuhiro Sakamoto. It tells the squad you play on merit and that will generate the competition for places and performances, which can only be a good thing.

    Stanley: Fantastic performance from the whole team. Jack Rudoni, Sakamoto and Stephen Mfuni were excellent. If we play like this every week then we might just survive.

    Des: Getting the first goal calmed the side and they played with pace and confidence. There was none of the negative sideways and backwards passing seen in the last home game against Fulham. The supporters have been crying out for a change in midfield and it worked. A few players are Championship level and should move on in the January window.

    Sunderland fans

    Rhum: Another woeful display littered with errors and frustration, leading to yet another embarrassing defeat and another red card.

    June: I feel our manager is a godsend. He did miracles last season and through injuries we now have a depleted team. This is not the manager's fault - we had a great team and we need time to repair and build confidence. Bottom of the table isn't a position we deserve. Let's trust the lads to lift us up and we can steady the ship with a few good results. I predict we will be mid-table in a few months and playing European games can sometimes pull on the league standing. We will survive. We have a great manager... let him continue!

    Colin: A team that doesn't seem to care about the club or the fans. A coach who is absolutely clueless. A director of football who needs to be sacked with immediate effect. And finally, I question the decisions of the owner. But having supported this club for over 60 years, nothing surprises me any more. Championship here we come.

    Kevin: Last year, we didn't know how to lose. This year, we don't know how to win.

  4. 'It's not going to be an easy ride'published at 09:39 GMT 2 November

    Keifer MacDonald
    BBC Sport journalist

    Frank Lampard wavingImage source, Getty Images

    Newly promoted sides Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City have collected a combined 31 points after nine games, the 13th-highest tally by promoted sides at this stage in Premier League history.

    Hull City and Ipswich account for 22 of those points, with Sergej Jakirovic and Gary O'Neil's sides both sitting on 11.

    Coventry are slightly behind their promoted peers, but the Sky Blues' three victories have still earned them a respectable nine points.

    And there is further encouragement for the newcomers - since the 2010-11 season, all 18 promoted teams who have collected at least 11 points from their opening nine games have avoided relegation.

    When reflecting on Coventry's summer spending spree, it is clear they were under no illusion of what it takes to compete in the Premier League.

    The Sky Blues constructed major surgery on their playing squad by shelling out more than £140m on 12 permanent signings.

    That splurge included the arrivals of Caleb Yirenkyi for a club record fee, Carl Rushworth from Brighton, and Sidiki Cherif from Fenerbahce.

    Frank Lampard also added Premier League experience in the form of Loum Tchaouna from Burnley and Taiwo Awoniyi from Nottingham Forest.

    After a summer of such upheaval, it is no surprise it took Lampard a few weeks - five to be exact - to find his winning touch.

    Hindsight has also been kind to Coventry. The fact three of their first four Premier League matches were against the current top three - Arsenal, Manchester City and Brighton - was clearly far from the ideal introduction.

    After Saturday's 3-1 win over Sunderland, midfielder Jack Rudoni insisted his side still "believed" in their quality after a bruising start to the campaign.

    "We always had that belief," Rudoni told BBC Sport. "We have a really good squad here, where the morale is good and we get behind each other, which is what we will continue to do all season.

    "We know it's not going to be an easy ride, there's going to be ups and downs - but hopefully more ups than downs. Starting today with another three points, so we can build on that now."

  5. Sunderland win 'epitomised by Rudoni'published at 07:40 GMT 2 November

    Ben Mundy
    Final Score reporter

    Coventry City's Jack Rudoni celebrates scoring their third goal with Milan van EwijkImage source, Getty Images

    Before Saturday's game, Frank Lampard said his Coventry side needed to inject energy into their performance against Sunderland.

    It's something I asked Carl Rushworth about prior to kick-off. The goalkeeper explained it was on the players to get the crowd going and generate a noise inside CBS Arena.

    And boy, did they do just that. Not just through the goals – but the tenacity and zest in their play.

    It was epitomised by Jack Rudoni.

    I was really impressed with the pockets of space he found, his desire to get on the ball – and even the cheekiness to try a cute, grass-cutting free-kick late on.

    Not to mention his third goal in his past four games.

    From Saturday's evidence, CBS Arena will play a vital role in determining whether Coventry play Premier League football again next season.

    And if Rudoni continues in that form, the fans will definitely have something to cheer.

    Hit play below to hear the post-match thoughts of Rudoni or listen on BBC Sounds here

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  6. Coventry 3-1 Sunderland: What Lampard and Rudoni saidpublished at 19:03 GMT 31 October

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    Coventry manager Frank Lampard speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Really pleased [with the performance]. It was the energy, I spoke before the game, that we didn't have our usual energy last week, this week we did. And sometimes you get what you deserve through that. We made it a difficult game for them from the beginning, we started really well, and we got our goals which were fantastic.

    On the energy: "It's a 38-game season, those games can come along [like Fulham], but the player's in a way are learning a bit as they go. A lot of them haven't played in the Premier League, have come in, and are finding their feet and are getting accustomed to it.

    "Taiwo Awoniyi scoring is great for him, he is an experienced player, we don't have many of those, but it's great to see the players get that feeling of what it takes to win games because it's so hard to win games in this league. Especially for us because of our position, but the feeling of that is great and the stadium felt it."

    On the players who came into the starting 11 today: "Victor Torp has come in at a level which is an absolute example. He has his qualities anyway, I know that, and he has come in and continued how he is working day to day.

    "Yann Gboho has come in on the left for us, and again, he needs to adapt to the league but he has shown some qualities that I really like. Stephen Mfuni playing at centre-back as well. We have some issues at centre back with big players for us missing, so it was great to see the players come together to get a result."

    More on Stephen Mfuni: "There are some players who I think are at a certain level and there are some players who are at another level. My opinion is he is a young lad, I don't want to give him too much credit because it might maybe go to his head but he's a lovely confident lad, who has settled in brilliantly. He's also humble. He has a really nice way with him but that's not even talking about his talent. He played today and brought confidence to the team. Those players always give off a good energy.

    "If you look at someone like Steph, who's said, I'm 18, I'm here, playing the way I'm playing, and that's just how he is day to day. I'm delighted with him, he's going to go a long way in the game."

    Coventry midfielder Jack Rudoni speaking to BBC Sport: "He [Frank Lampard] basically said go out there with some real intensity and back each other up. We know that we have the quality to score goals and beat teams, so we just had to go out there, show some intensity and get the fans with us, and that is what we done. We needed the points and that's what we done."

    On the belief in the team: "We always had that belief. When we lost a couple on the bounce we still believed. We have a really good squad here where the morale is good and we get behind each other which is what we will continue to do all season. We know it's not going to be an easy ride, there's going to be ups and downs, but hopefully more ups than downs. Starting today with another three points, so we can build on that now."

    On the message at half-time: "That was part of the gaffer's team talk. At 2-0 you can never get too comfortable, he said the next goal is massive. They came out fighting a bit more, but to get that third goal, I have scored some nice ones in my time, but it was very important. We saw the game out, so I'm delighted."

    On seeing out the lead: "Credit to the boys coming on, holding up the game. Game management is so important in those situations. They got the goal, which made it even more important to stay calm. Near the end, we were getting the ball high up to slow the game down, get bodies up. Keeping the ball is so important and we done that quite well today."

    On Omar Alderete being sent off: "I skipped past him, and he grabbed a certain part of my body which I wasn't happy with. He got the red card, emotions were high, we had a little bicker, and we move on."

    Did you know?

    • Rudoni has scored in three of his last four Premier League games - he is the only Coventry player to score multiple league goals this season (three).

    • Coventry have scored two goals from outside the box in a Premier League game for the first time since Boxing Day 1999, when both Gary McAllister and Mustapha Hadji netted from distance against Arsenal.

  7. Analysis: Lampard's team selection pays offpublished at 17:24 GMT 31 October

    Chris McKenna
    BBC Sport journalist

    Coventry celebrate their second goal against SunderlandImage source, Getty Images

    After disappointing defeats by Tottenham and Fulham, Lampard made a bold decision to make four changes including moving his captain to the bench.

    He also restored summer signing Taiwo Awoniyi to the starting line-up for the first time since he was sent off in a 5-0 defeat by Brighton on 13 September.

    The changes helped restore some energy to the Sky Blues, but they were also clinical as they scored three goals from four shots on target and an XG of just 0.71.

    Two of the goals also had a touch of fortune given that deflections helped take them beyond Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs.

    But it was a huge win for Lampard and his side against fellow strugglers, and the manager's team-selection was backed up with an important three points.

    Coventry have lost as many games as Sunderland but, crucially, they have three victories under their belt.

  8. Coventry 3-1 Sunderland - send us your thoughtspublished at 16:58 GMT 31 October

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    Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

    Have your say on Coventry's performance

    What did you make of Sunderland's display?

    Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

  9. Follow Saturday's Premier League games livepublished at 12:04 GMT 31 October

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    An image detailing how to follow your Premier League team on BBC Sport: "On the app? Tap the bell icon to get news about your club sent to you. Signed in on a browser? Hit 'Follow' to stay up to date.

    There are eight games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

    Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated.

    Follow all of the action and reaction here

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    You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v Brighton" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Coventry match", for example.

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  10. Coventry City v Sunderland: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:54 GMT 30 October

    Bottom two sides Coventry and Sunderland meet on Saturday (15:00 GMT) both looking to climb away from the danger zone.

    Coventry scored 97 goals in last season's Championship, which was at least 15 more than any other team, but they've struggled for goals since coming up to the top flight.

    They have scored a joint-division-low six goals and have failed to score in five of their eight Premier League games so far this season, more than any other team. Four of those six goals came in one match (their 4-1 win over Newcastle)

    The Sky Blues also have the lowest xG (7.65) and the lowest open play xG so far in this campaign (4.78), with just 25 shots on target, the second-worst in the division after Aston Villa.

    Their xG in last weekend's draw at home to fellow strugglers Fulham was 0.51, which was their lowest since their opening game of the season, which was away at champions Arsenal.

    Coventry are the only team in the Premier League this season to neither win any points from losing positions nor drop any points when leading – in their eight matches, the team scoring first has won every time.

    That's further bad news for Sky Blues fans, whose team have failed to score in the first half in seven of their eight league games this season.

    A graphic showing Coventry's PL ranking in terms of goals scored, xG, xG from open play, shots on target and games in which they've failed to score

    Like Coventry, Sunderland have scored a joint-division low of six goals in this season's Premier League.

    At the same stage in 2025-26, the Black Cats had only scored three more times, but the crucial difference is that they had 14 points, as opposed to the five they have earned in 2026-27. It's the biggest drop-off after eight games of any Premier League team.

    Head coach Regis Le Bris has talked of "embracing" Sunderland's busy schedule of playing in Europe and in the Carabao Cup but their Premier League form does appear to be paying the price.

    The Black Cats earned four points in their first three league games of the season, all of which preceded the start of their EFL Cup and Europa League campaigns. Since those began, they have picked up just one point, losing four out of five games.

    Conversely, they have won four out of their five games in the cup competitions, reaching the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday with their 3-2 victory over Brentford. That means they will have another midweek fixture to add to what looks like being a busy pre-Christmas period for Le Bris's side.

    A graphic comparing Sunderland's PL form after eight games last season with their form this season.
  11. Sutton's predictions: Coventry v Sunderlandpublished at 19:38 GMT 30 October

    Chris Sutton smiling on a yellow and black background with 'Sutton's predictions' written below his face

    This is big for both teams. It's the battle of the bottom two... and I think Sunderland will win it.

    Coventry do not lack any effort and they have got plenty of pace on the counter-attack, but their problem is that they just don't have the quality of most other Premier League teams.

    Sunderland got a good win over Brentford in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night and I am surprised they have been struggling so badly in the league.

    The Black Cats are a well-coached team and while I think European football is affecting them in many ways, Brian Brobbey's return from injury is a big positive, and he should help them nick this.

    Sutton's prediction: 0-1

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  12. 🎧The Sky Blues Fancast Livepublished at 19:22 GMT 30 October

    An unmissable look ahead to Coventry City's match against Sunderland on Saturday.

    Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and subscribe to the dedicated Coventry City page to get all Sky Blues audio content.

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  13. Lampard on Thomas' injury, being less 'passive' and Sunderlandpublished at 15:03 GMT 29 October

    Katie Stafford
    BBC Sport journalist

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    Coventry boss Frank Lampard has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Sunderland at CBS Arena (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Bobby Thomas has "a small calf issue" and will be assessed closer to Saturday to determine whether he is available or not.

    • On Thomas' injury being an opportunity for Stephen Mfuni: "Yes, and he has shown in the moments he's played and around the building that he's a fantastic young player. It's an opportunity, for sure."

    • On whether he knows his best XI, Lampard said: "In the modern day, I don't love that question because we are in a moment when we have got new players coming in who are trying to adapt, and others who mostly haven't played in the Premier League who are trying to adapt. Teams change a lot."

    • Lampard said they have to be at their "max" to get results in this league and referenced being "more passive" in the defeat by Fulham than in the three previous games.

    • On what he has been working on this week in training: "Some tactical detail, but more that we produce a good energy in our performance. Train at the level to reproduce it on matchday."

    • He said his players "have to relish" the challenge of competing in the Premier League and "tackle it head on".

    • Lampard said "it's too early" for talk about Sunderland and Coventry's position in the league and the weekend's result shaping the season in any way.

    Hit play above to hear more from Lampard, speaking to BBC CWR's Will Oelrich, or listen on BBC Sounds here

    Listen to live commentary of Coventry v Sunderland on Saturday on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 (first half) and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra (second half).

    Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

  14. 🎧 'We need to get Gboho on the pitch' - Ogrizovicpublished at 09:42 GMT 27 October

    Former Coventry City goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic believes Frank Lampard will make changes to his starting XI following the back-to-back defeats to Tottenham and Fulham.

    Lampard's starting line-up again featured eight players from last season's title-winning team, with Brandon Thomas-Asante continuing to play out of position on the left wing.

    "I think we will see changes," said Ogrizovic on the Sky Blues Fancast. "It's important that we find out what players like Yann Gboho are about because unless he's really in the doghouse we need to get him on the pitch.

    "He's 25-years-old and we paid a lot of money for him.

    "I would have thought he's ready and chomping at the bit to have a go."

    Sky Blues supporter Anthony added: "There's lots of speculation as to why they've not really been included recently, but we probably won't ever find out.

    "Getting Gboho on the pitch can only be a good thing, but the [omission] of Loum Tchoumna on the right side is something I don't mind as much given Tatsuhiro Sakamoto's performance against Fulham.

    "His work rate and his ability to be a nuisance means he can still play a role.

    "There are players from last year's squad that can make a difference, but I think we are expecting a bit too much of them at the minute."

    Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and subscribe to the dedicated Coventry City page to get all Sky Blues audio content.

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  15. Coventry 0-1 Fulham - the fans' verdictpublished at 09:55 GMT 26 October

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    We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Coventry City and Fulham.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Coventry fans

    Lee: Disappointed and I don't say that very often. I thought we did OK to go into half time 0-0 but after half-time we were slightly on top but never looked like scoring. We're missing that attacking edge that almost every other team has.

    Paul: Poor all over the pitch, no creativity at all! New players have not added any quality. Missing a leader!

    Arthur: Sadly it feels like we keep trying the same tactics and starting line up, they huff and puff but the quality isn't crisp. Yes loyalty to last years squad is noble - but the newcomers haven't been used enough and it isn't enabling us to compete in games and create enough clear scoring opportunities. We don't have enough striker firepower upfront and using wingers to fill gaps won't convert enough goals. Frank has the backing of the board but when will he have to start gambling more? Any football manager only has so much time

    Steve: The bubble has burst so quickly after the two wins. No cutting edge up top and yet Simms, since his goal against Newcastle, not given a look in. Trying to stay hopeful but fearing the worst.

    Fulham fans

    Craig: Poor performance overall in attack but a valuable three points. How much longer can Arbeloa stick with Garcia though? Muniz deserves to start.

    Laurence: New players, new manager, new tactics, but same Fulham problem - dominating matches and possession but unable to put the ball in the net. All of the possession against Coventry and again just one goal. I don't know what the root problem is (that is what the manager is paid for) but I do know things needs to change.

    Adam: Overall happy with the win but Arbeloa has to swallow his pride and bench his Madrid boy Gonzalo Garcia. He provides absolutely nothing and has not adapted to the Premier League. Muniz needs minutes and Garcia needs to learn.

    Christopher: Great passing and pressing. We just need to get a higher percentage of our shots at goal between the posts, under the crossbar and out of the reach of the goalie, then we could start to do really really well!

  16. Fulham defeat 'tough one to take' - Dasilvapublished at 09:22 GMT 26 October

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    Coventry City Defender Jay Dasilva says Saturday's defeat to Fulham "is a tough one to take as there wasn't really much in the game".

    Speaking to BBC CWR, the Wales international said: "It's definitely frustrating. They didn't create much and we didn't create too much.

    "In the end, the moment goes their way and we lose the game.

    "Starting Monday, we get back to the training ground and get working hard."

    Hit play to listen above