Lampard backs Coventry after Carabao Cup win
Frank Lampard believes Coventry City is in a good place ahead of its Premier League clash with Hull City, having had the chance to see more of his squad in the Carabao Cup.
Coventry played its first top-flight match in 25 years last Saturday but was soundly beaten 3-0 by Arsenal to start the season.
Lampard's side responded well to that loss by booking its place in the Carabao Cup third round with a 4-2 win over Plymouth Argyle, though it had to overcome a slight scare.
Coventry took a two-goal lead only to be pegged back early in the second half, but they got over the line in the end, with Taiwo Awoniyi also getting his first goal for the club.
The Sky Blues were the only promoted side not to win their opener, but Lampard is taking a lot of confidence from their midweek performance.
"You have always got to enjoy a win, but at this point it is also looking at performance and individual and collective performances," he said.
"We made a lot of changes, and so, for me, it's good to have a look at players that we didn't start at the weekend [Friday] and are pushing for places.
"I expected it to be difficult; it's not an easy place to come. It was a great start to the game, two really good goals, high-quality goals.
"Big mistakes for the goals; we must be honest about that, and then a good reaction to win the game pretty well, but of course a win is a big deal."
Hull, meanwhile, began its season with a shock 2-0 win over Manchester United, scoring twice in the first half to beat the Red Devils for the first time in the top-flight.
It followed that up with a win in the Carabao Cup, beating Stoke City 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time.
Coach Sergej Jakirovic, like Lampard, was pleased to give minutes to other members of its squad as it builds on a strong start to the campaign.
"It was an opportunity for other players to play, and after Manchester United there was a lot of excitement, a lot of stress, a few problems with some players," he said.
"I will use this competition [the EFL Cup] to give other players a chance because you never know when we will need them."
Frank聽James Lampard Junior
Coventry City FC
