Frank Lampard on ‘incredible’ anthem and how CBS Arena can ‘kick’ players into Sunderland clash..
Coventry City play-off news from CoventryLive as Frank Lampard hails the Sky Blue Army’s role at the CBS Arena.
Frank Lampard may not be able to control everything that happens on the pitch when his Coventry City players go to battle with Sunderland in Friday night’s first leg play-off semi-final at the CBS Arena, but he knows he can guarantee one thing off the field – that the fans will create another “incredible” atmosphere to help get the players over the line.
The head coach says the pre-match build-up and noise from the Sky Blue Army is a “special” one that he’s rarely seen elsewhere in the game, and insists that the rousing pre-match anthem ‘We’ll Live And Die in These Towns, by local band The Enemy, can kick the players into the game.
“It’s very uplifting, the pre-match song and anthem,” said the City boss. “I remember when I got the job a friend of mine sent me a video of the of the fans singing it at Wembley against Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final and I was like, wow, I hadn’t experienced it obviously at that point.
“So it’s a great feeling for the players and staff. I feel it on the bench and it’s great for us because it gives us that kick into the game and then through the games they have given us first class support.
“I think we’ve seen the players playing with a passion and an energy and quality off the back of that. So we can be very thankful for the support. It’s an atmosphere that I haven’t seen really created at many other grounds. There are some great grounds and incredible atmospheres but this is a special one.”
He added: “We’re very thankful for what they’ve done and given us because in every game at home they’ve been amazing. And it’s such a strength. I knew that as a player, what fans can do for you in terms of inspiring you, helping you in difficult moments and backing in the team throughout.
“They did it against Middlesbrough because in the second half they had some moments and the fans were with us. So I can only thank them and I know they sold out in five minutes for this game, so they’ll be there for us and we want to put on a good show for them.”
Frank Lampard admission on Coventry City job speaks volumes ahead of play-off semi-final..
Coventry City face Sunderland in the Championship play-offs on Friday night having risen from the bottom half of the table into the top six under the ex-Chelsea and Everton coach, who has appeared rejuvenated in the second tier
Frank Lampard admitted he had no expectation of guiding Coventry to the Championship play-offs when he took the job in November. On Friday night Lampard’s side will host Sunderland in the first leg of the semi-final.
The Sky Blues are targeting a first return to the top flight since 2001, a dramatic turnaround from when Lampard arrived with the club two points from the relegation zone.
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