Coventry City suffered a punishing defeat in the dying moments of their play-off semi-final second leg, as they lost 2-1 to Sunderland. Matty Godden will consequently enjoy the chance to return to the CBS Arena next season.
However, Godden will be heading home with Charlton Athletic instead, as the striker helped play a vital role in the Addicks’ return promotion to the Championship. This achievement comes after a five season vacany for Charlton from the second tier.
The 33-year-old has netted 18 goals in the regular league season as well as crucially in the second semi-final to dispatch Wycombe Wanderers. As the only goal in the two-legged tie, Godden played a massively important part in the road to Wembley.
Contrastingly, up the country Coventry have been elevated by the appointment of Chelsea’s legendary midfielder, Frank Lampard. Following a nearly successful spell in the Championship previously with Derby County, the former three-time Premier League champion had been sacked in two top-flight jobs prior to his latest appointment.
Lampard’s fortune has now turned, with a second chance in the Championship being given to the 46-year-old. 17 wins and five draws in 33 league matches since Mark Robins’ departure has meant that the former midfielder ultimately forced his West Midlands side firmly into a play-off place. This has inevitably led to a widespread recognition of such an achievement, especially when considering the strength of the league’s chasing pack.
Godden left the CBS Arena on last summer to seek out a new challenge with Charlton, but exemplifies the fondness of Coventry that still resonates with him:
“I keep in touch with the Coventry boys and they were all wishing me good luck before all our play-off games, and I was wishing them luck too.
“I had five unbelievable years there. The football club is a part of my family and my little boy used to love watching me play for Coventry. I still get messages from a lot of the lads and I’ve made friends for life there.”
The former Sky Blues striker has praised the efforts of Lampard recently, suggesting that the contact made with former teammates has resulted in glowing reports:
“The Coventry training ground has changed now, and they are doing things with the place that set standards that they want to be playing at the top level of English football.
“They are building something – the new gaffer has come in with different ideas to the old gaffer – as far as I’m aware, the boys are loving life up there.
“It will be unbelievable to return to the CBS.”
Writer’s View
With a mixed impression heading into this latest job, Lampard has certainly proved any doubters wrong, subsequently creating a connection with the passionate Coventry fan base.
The former Chelsea star’s time at Derby is overlooked and underappreciated. Two failed play-off attempts – one with each side – should be instead looked at as ‘nearly’ moments, with a positivity that his new Championship outfit can go again with the correct foundations that have been laid in a promising early career for Lampard.
