Coventry City’s nervous start to life in the Premier League was evident in their defeat, with manager Frank Lampard acknowledging an anxiety in the Sky Blues’ play that must be removed quickly.
The Championship promotion winners appeared cautious in possession, choosing safer passes instead of pushing forward as they adjusted to the demands of the Premier League.
“This season was always going to be very different to last season but I sensed a bit of edge, that quality of pass and playing safe rather than play forward,” he said. “Maybe that is apprehension.”
Lampard rejected the idea that nerves could be used as an excuse, saying Coventry must respond quickly after losing their opening two matches.
“I don’t like the excuse of it. Last week that was valid because of the level of opposition, the occasion, 25 years out and a lot of debuts. We shouldn’t use it as an excuse today. “It’s a game against a team we played twice last year and we finished a lot of points above them. The Premier League gives that edge and we will have to get used to that and quickly. “The lesson is don’t expect anything in the Premier League. It depends how much you want it to be (a mental blow). There are 36 games left, we’re two games in. It depends how you want to react to defeats.”
Ashley Williams warns Coventry City confidence could suffer
Former Wales captain Ashley Williams believes the defeat could damage Coventry’s confidence. Williams won promotion to the Premier League with Swansea City in 2011 and understands the importance of avoiding early psychological setbacks.
“They blitzed the Championship last year and were full of confidence coming into the season. But after two defeats everything suddenly becomes that much harder,” he said on the BBC’s Final Score programme.
Williams said Coventry’s position near the bottom of the table would increase the pressure, particularly with Manchester City their next opponents.
“As players, you look at the table and it’s not nice when you are at the wrong end of it. Straight away they’ll see they are already six points behind Hull and that’s a real kick in the teeth.”
“All those little doubts start to kick in so they’ve got to get to work and figure it out fast and I’m sure Frank Lampard will do that. However, Manchester City away next up is far from ideal.”
