Frank Lampard says now isn’t the time to get down about his Coventry facet’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg defeat to Sunderland.

The Sky Blues – who completed fifth, seven factors behind their opponents in the course of the common season – dominated the ball on the Coventry Constructing Society Area on Friday evening, however had been held at arm’s size for lengthy spells by Regis Le Bris’ defensively resolute workforce.

And although Jack Rudoni cancelled out Wilson Isidor’s opener inside two minutes of it hitting the again of the online, Milan van Ewijk’s blind backpass gifted Eliezer Mayenda the winner, which places the Black Cats within the driving seat forward of Tuesday’s second leg on the Stadium of Mild, which is dwell on Sky Sports activities.

“It was an excellent efficiency from the workforce,” he mentioned. “We pushed and pushed, and dominated possession of the ball. We’re unlucky to be one behind going into the second leg.

“We performed them right here six, seven weeks in the past or so and, with the best way we have been taking part in, I perceive it as a coach, you wish to come out and negate the areas that we would like, so we managed lots of it.

“I could not complain with the gamers when it comes to the low block. You possibly can say transfer it faster, do that, try this. It isn’t straightforward. It isn’t straightforward in opposition to that.

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“They usually defended their field rather well. Typically you simply say effectively executed to the opposition.

“Should you’ve acquired eight our bodies within the field and also you’re crossing it, it is onerous. We defended effectively and on one other day issues go for you over the course of 90 minutes. They did not fairly go for us tonight.

“Will the sport appear to be this on Tuesday? I am undecided. So definitely not time for us to get too down about it.”

On Van Ewijk’s error, which left the Dutch defender in tears after the ultimate whistle, he mentioned: “We do not have to speak about that now. He is been good for us.”

Lampard was reminded of the 2018/19 season, when his Derby facet misplaced 1-0 to Leeds within the Championship play-off semi-final first leg at Satisfaction Park, however scored 4 second-half targets in an exhilarating second leg to win 4-3 on combination.

Nonetheless, he didn’t wish to be drawn on comparisons.

“It is nothing to do with it as a result of that is one other group of gamers that we have,” he added.

“They’re one other group of gamers. This can be a completely different recreation. I perceive your level, nevertheless it’s nothing to do with it. That is the previous.

“It’s going to be a tricky recreation for us, nevertheless it’s clearly nonetheless very, very shut.

“We go once more Tuesday. Easy.”

Morrison: Coventry have to enter second leg assured

Clinton Morrison on Sky Sports activities Soccer:

“They’re nonetheless on this. They dominated possession. They did not create as a lot as they needed, however the recreation will open up on the Stadium of Mild they usually’ve simply go to go there filled with confidence.

“What they have there’s a supervisor who is aware of what he is speaking about. He’ll settle them down, loosen up, and he will not be vital of them.

“However he does have to select up Van Ewijk as a result of he was in tears on the finish. Everybody makes errors however he is acquired to get well and go once more.”

Davies: Each targets had been so avoidable

Curtis Davies on Sky Sports activities Soccer:

“The distinction with the Derby situation is that Leeds got here and comprehensively beat Derby [in the first leg] and also you suppose it will likely be the identical within the second. They beat us thrice that season, and also you suppose going to Elland Street can be an uphill job.

“Whereas tonight his workforce has dominated, and in my view each targets are so avoidable. For Van Ewijk it is about his character and what he reveals in coaching. If he makes one mistake early within the subsequent recreation he might go underneath.”