FRANK-ING FORM

Lampard did not expect play-off push

- BY SCOTT COLEMAN

FRANK Lampard admitted he had no expectation of guiding Coventry to the Championship play-offs when he took the job in November.

Tonight Lampard's side will host Sunderland in the first leg of the semi-final, 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.

"We were 17th for a reason," Lampard said. "This club's had some really good success in moving up the leagues in recent years, reaching the play-off final (in 2023), the FA Cup semi-finals (last season). So there's great credit but this season we were not where we want to be.