Coventry’s F. Lampard on Everton’s Organisation in Pre-Match Presser

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Coventry manager Frank Lampard spoke ahead of his side’s Premier League Matchweek 10 game at Everton, which kicks off at 8pm on Friday 6 November at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Stuart Attwell is the referee.

Lampard’s main themes were Everton’s progress under Moyes, the need to avoid complacency after Coventry’s 3-1 win over Sunderland on 31 October, and the demands he places on his squad. Coventry are 16th with 9 points from 9 games, while Everton are 7th with 13 points.

Everton have moved on

“Things have moved on a lot and I think they’ve got a strong squad in a sense”

What he said

Lampard began by assessing the Everton side Coventry will face, saying the club has changed considerably and that the squad is strong.

What he meant

He is treating Everton as an established side rather than a team in transition. The table supports the view that they are settled: they have lost only 2 of their 9 league games and have 13 points, 4 more than Coventry.

Praise for Moyes

“But I think a manager also maximises that. That’s been apparent in their start to the season, apparent in their two performance against Newcastle.”

What he said

Lampard credited Everton’s manager for getting the most from his squad, pointing to the club’s start to the season and their two games against Newcastle.

What he meant

Lampard is pointing to recent evidence. Everton beat Newcastle 3-1 at home on 29 October and 1-0 away on 2 November. Those are the two results he appears to have in mind, and they suggest Coventry’s preparation has focused on how Everton have been playing lately.

Tough match expected

“[They are a] very good unit, very good understanding of what they want to do and the team that they are, so it’ll be a tough match for us.”

What he said

Lampard described Everton as a team with a clear understanding of their approach and said Coventry should expect a hard game.

What he meant

The emphasis on understanding and structure suggests Coventry expect Everton to be well drilled. Everton have scored 9 and conceded 9 in their 9 league games, a balanced record that fits a settled team, whereas Coventry have conceded 16.

Avoiding complacency after Sunderland

“When you’re in the zone enjoyment of a win after Sunderland is pretty short-lived because you switch your attentions very much to the next game and understand relaxation and over-complacency is the biggest danger in this game.”

What he said

Asked about the win over Sunderland, Lampard said the enjoyment of a victory does not last long and that attention turns quickly to the next game. He named relaxation and over-complacency as the biggest danger.

What he meant

Coventry’s recent results have been mixed. They lost to Tottenham and Fulham either side of a 4-1 win over Newcastle earlier in the month, then beat Sunderland. Lampard’s warning reads as an effort to stop one good result being treated as a settled run.

Energy of Sunderland performance

“I liked the energy of the performance last week and I when I say that I mean not just the energy of running around but the feeling, if we can keep that strength of feeling even when difficult results will come as they will do this year, then we can give ourselves a chance.”

What he said

Lampard said he liked the energy of the Sunderland performance, and that he meant the collective feeling as well as the running. He added that difficult results will come this year.

What he meant

He is setting out a standard for how Coventry should respond to setbacks as well as how they play when winning. With 6 defeats from 9 league games, he has already had to manage that. His wording also accepts that further losses are likely.

Players out of the team

“It’s not always easy because every player wants to play every game but also if they don’t understand that and don’t be a good teammate when they’re not playing – and don’t push and try and show on the training pitch that they deserve to be playing – then they’ll struggle to get in this team.”

What he said

Lampard spoke about players who are left out, saying every player wants to play every game. He said those who miss out must be good teammates and show in training that they deserve a place.

What he meant

The message is about competition for places and squad culture. Coventry have five players listed as injured for this game: Amenda, Wright, Thomas, Eccles and Woolfenden. Squad depth and attitude are likely to matter for a side with that many absentees.

Summer signings contributing

“When we recruited, we wanted to recruit players that could come in and help us, as in start for us, I really pushed to be there because we haven’t got time for development.”

What he said

Lampard explained Coventry’s summer recruitment, saying the aim was to sign players who could start straight away. He said the club does not have time for development.

What he meant

His comment reflects the pressure on a side 16th in the table with 9 points. Lampard wants new signings to play a part immediately. With Coventry scoring 9 goals and conceding 16, he is looking for them to make an impact quickly.

Confidence check: Measured

Lampard sounds measured. He praises Everton several times, calling them a “very good unit” and saying it will be a “tough match”, and he does not make any claims about how Coventry will do. His comments on complacency and on difficult results coming “as they will do this year” show he is wary of reading too much into the Sunderland win.

The table explains some of that caution. Coventry are 16th with 3 wins and 6 defeats from 9 games, and have conceded 16 goals. Everton are 7th, and their recent results include two wins over Newcastle. Coventry also have five injured players.

There is some positive tone too. Lampard liked the energy of the Sunderland performance and wants his players to keep that feeling. He does not predict an outcome.

How to watch

Everton vs Coventry kicks off at 8pm UK time on Friday 6 November, live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League. Subscribers can stream it on Sky Go, NOW.

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