Frank Lampard admitted Coventry City lacked cutting edge in attack but hailed goalkeeper Carl Rushworth after a goalless M69 derby at Leicester City.
The Sky Blues extended their unbeaten Championship run to six matches with a point at the King Power Stadium, but the manager felt his side should have more to show for their performances this season.
Rushworth the Hero as Sky Blues Dig In
Coventry were forced to absorb pressure for long spells as Leicester dominated possession, but Rushworth produced a string of outstanding saves to keep the contest level. The Brighton loanee denied Stephy Mavididi one-on-one in the second half and also kept out efforts from Jordan James, Abdul Fatawu and Wout Faes during a commanding display between the posts.
EFL Championship
It was the goalkeeper’s second clean sheet of the campaign, and Lampard had no hesitation in highlighting his importance to the side.
“He’s a really good goalkeeper. I’m so pleased I never was one, it’s such a difficult position. Every part of his game was spot on, some of the shots were bouncing in front of him and the saves he had to make he made. That’s why you want a top goalkeeper in your team where you rely on them a little bit,” Lampard said.
The visitors created chances of their own, with Jack Rudoni heading wide in the first half and Haji Wright drilling across goal after the break, but Lampard was left frustrated with the lack of sharpness in transition.
“We lacked a little bit of quality and sharpness from what we’ve been showing especially on transitions,” he explained. “We were just a little bit off it and that affected our goal threat but if you’re going to have one of those days you have to defend well and be a team and we felt pretty secure.”
Coventry’s Unbeaten Start Intact
The result means Coventry remain in the play-off positions, and Lampard emphasised the need to build on a resilient start. The Sky Blues have drawn more than they have won, but their manager insists the foundation is there for improvement once attacking fluency returns.
Attention now turns to a Midlands clash against Birmingham City at the Coventry Building Society Arena, where Lampard will hope to combine the defensive resilience shown at Leicester with more clinical finishing.
Writer’s View
Coventry left Leicester with credit for their organisation and spirit, but the pattern of their season remains clear: solid foundations, yet too often lacking cutting edge. Rushworth’s heroics kept the unbeaten run alive, underlining why Lampard was so eager to bring him in on loan.
If the Sky Blues can translate defensive resilience into more conviction going forward, they look well placed to sustain a push near the top of the Championship. For now, however, frustration lingers that the unbeaten start has not delivered more victories.
