Coventry City are the only undefeated team in England’s top four leagues and are dominating the Championship table.
Frank Lampard’s side have scored 27 goals this season, at least 12 more than any other side in the second tier. They also look solid at the back, with only two teams in the league conceding more than seven in total.
There were four draws in their opening six games, but their last three games before the international break saw them draw Birmingham three times, Millwall four times and Sheffield Wednesday five times.
The Sky Blues, who lost in the play-off semi-finals last season, look like automatic promotion contenders at this early stage of the campaign.
‘They started the season like a house on fire’
Former Huddersfield, Stoke and Middlesbrough defender Tommy Smith said: “The amount of goals they score and the types of goals they score really stands out.” Sky Sports Essentials EFL Podcast. “One of the important things for me is that different players contribute. It’s one thing to score a goal and it’s another to score a goal, but to share it so well as they do is impressive.
Look at the goal scorer. Haji Wright has already scored eight goals, Victor Torp has five and others are also getting on the score. The offensive talent they have and the variety they can use is incredible. Think Simms, Sakamoto, and Thomas-Asante. They have options everywhere.
“They have started the season like a house on fire. They are putting teams to sleep with four and five men, which is a good sign. Frank Lampard and all Coventry fans will hope this continues.”
‘The key to continuity that maintained last season’s momentum’
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Highlights from Sheffield Wednesday’s win over Coventry in the Sky Bet Championship.
Lampard took over Coventry from 17th place just over a year ago and lifted them into the top six. In the play-offs they were outclassed by a last-minute Sunderland goal in the semi-finals.
Not resting on their laurels, they restarted with a squad very similar to last season’s campaign.
“I was there in Sunderland’s play-off semi-final when they were hit late and it was amazing how they recovered from that,” said Gary Weaver. “They were strong at the end of last season and it was unfortunate to lose that tie, so they actually picked up where they left off and even improved.
“The fact they haven’t brought in too many players adds to the continuity. Supporters are always looking for new signings, but it helps to keep the core group together. Frank has been desperate to get Coventry off to a fast start to this season as they have struggled in recent years.
“They have almost the same squad except for three or four players, of course he wants more depth but this group knows exactly what Frank wants.
“If you look at the underlying numbers, they’re number one. It’s no wonder they’re leading. They’re scoring a lot and they’re more solid defensively now, which is huge.
“Coventry are the best team in the Championship at the moment and the data and eye test support this.
‘Right now they seem unstoppable’
“Over those two legs, I thought Coventry deserved to get through,” Smith added. “Sunderland did what they had to do but from a football perspective Coventry were probably ahead of it.
“They got off to a slow start in previous championship seasons, but this year it’s been the opposite – they’re completely successful.”
“And it’s very important to address continuity again. It was always a good sign for Frank to look back on last season and recognize the positives and weaknesses and then have a full pre-season. They are now seeing the benefits of that.
“The key now is to keep going. That’s the question everyone is asking. There are only nine games left in the season, and while they are tearing teams down now, I don’t think they can maintain that pace for a full 46-game season.
“The question is when, or if, the run will stop. But at the moment Coventry look unstoppable.”
