Frank Lampard has given his take on Coventry City’s lack of experience in a pretty young and fresh-faced squad.
The Sky Blues new head coach picked his first team on Saturday which battled back twice from behind to snatch a late point at home to Cardiff City.
Fans have long complained that the squad has lacked leadership and influence from older players following the departures of the likes of Kyle McFadzean, Liam Kelly, Matty Godden and Kasey Palmer. The club’s business model, however, has seen City recruit young players who are hoped to develop into top talents with resale value.
Reminded that back during his time at Derby County he had one or two young ones but also battle-hardened players, Lampard was asked if he thinks that’s something his newly inherited team might lack, not just in terms of age but that warrior spirit.
“I think you can definitely work on the collective spirit and players can grow very quickly,” he said, speaking after the 2-2 CBS Arena draw, “but you can’t compare different squads.
“We have got some young and we have some experienced players in the group. A couple of the lads were on the bench today and when I picked the team I knew it was relatively young, but I have to pick what I see.”
Midfielder Jamie Allen (29) and full-back Jake Bidwell (31) are the elder statesmen of the outfield squad, while goalkeeper Ben Wilson (32) – currently out injured – is the oldest player on the books.
But Lampard hopes he can pass on some of his own experience to his young players, adding: “I have got a lot of experience and one of the remits of my job is not to be sitting here in three months telling you the same thing. You’ll probably remind me if I do say the same, but it is my job to show them the little things and they are a good group who want to learn and get better. They don’t want to be in this situation, they want to get higher up the league but I know you have to work to do that.”
