Is it make-or-break time for Lampard as a top manager?

Chelsea legend can't waste his tough opportunity at Coventry

- DAN KILPATRICK

It should not take a great deal of imagination to dream up the reception in wait for Frank Lampard when he takes his new Coventry side to Millwall on Saturday. As a Chelsea legend and former West Ham player, Lampard will be on enemy territory and the barracking he will cop from the locals promises to be relentless, unforgiving and deeply personal.

As Lampard prepares for his first game in sole charge of Coventry — he had just two days to prepare for last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Cardiff — it feels important to point out that the former England midfielder does not need to subject himself to an afternoon of abuse from Millwall fans. Really, Lampard does not need to deal with any of it: the early starts, the long days at Coventry’s training ground, the travel, the compromises, the uncomfortable questions, the pressure from the club’s ambitious chairman, impatient supporters, moaning agents, unhappy players.