Frank Lampard fires Sunderland snap verdict after setting up Coventry City playoff clash- Frank Lampard has sent a message to Sunderland
Frank Lampard has warned his Coventry City players to be ready for the best version of Sunderland in the play-offs despite the Black Cats’ struggles towards the end of the campaign.
The former Chelsea boss has taken the Sky Blues from hovering just above the relegation zone, to the Championship play-offs with a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough on the final day of the season securing their place.
A brace from Jack Rudoni secured their fifth place finish and a double header against the Black Cats over the course of the next two weeks.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Lampard said: “Yeah well we have to respect the best version of Sunderland. Who, for the first half and more of the season were really strong.
“That’s why they’re there and maybe, the idea of cruise control because of getting [in the play-offs] is not easy to manage.
“Now we go into a different environment, so I would expect the best version of them. It’s nice to give us an extra day’s rest winning the game [against Boro to finish in fifth], and we know it’s gonna be really tough over both games, the first here so we need to reboot, rest up and go again
“I love it,” Lampard said when asked about securing a place in the play-offs. “I’m excited, listen, it’s great for the club. For where we came from and you felt the build up through the winning run and through the crowd at the CBS.
“Absolutely the players – owning it, they do so much themselves. We’re here to help and support them and set them up, and some big changes we made in the beginning in terms of how we play, but they take it all on board.
“So, you know, it’s gonna be a big, big challenge, but it’s great to have got it. It’s been a long week waiting for this game, so I’m, I’m just pleased to take a breath after that.”
Sunderland travel to the CBS Stadium for the first leg on Friday, May 9th – with their second leg at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday, May 13th.
Black Cats boss Regis Le Bris, meanwhile, said of the upcoming clash with Coventry: “This chapter is over, and obviously the result was not what we expected today. “This period has been a bit unusual, as we secured fourth place quite early
“It was necessary to refresh the squad and give a chance to players who hadn’t had many minutes to get some game time. “Now that this period has closed, we know exactly who our opponent is and the fixtures ahead.
“We don’t need to overthink or analyse too much. “It’s set, and now the challenge is massive.
“We knew it could have been either Bristol City or Coventry City. Both are strong teams with different styles of play.
“We will have to manage a tough challenge against a strong side, but we believe our squad has the quality to win.”
