Frank Lampard ‘relaxed’ despite blowing official Premier League promotion opportunity against rock-bottom side

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard conceded the missed opportunity to secure official Premier League promotion was ‘a bit frustrating.’

The Sky Blues could have wrapped up a top-two finish in the Championship at home with a win over the already-relegated Sheffield Wednesday.

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Lampard’s side also would have needed promotion rivals Middlesbrough to either draw or lose against Portsmouth on Saturday – and Boro ended up losing.

But the rock-bottom Owls evidently didn’t read the script as they held out for a gritty 0-0 draw.

It means Coventry, who are certain to go up thanks to their massively superior goal difference, must still wait for mathematical confirmation.

Owls delay Coventry’s promotion party

Coventry, who won the reverse fixture 5-0 in October, boasted the lion’s share of possession (69 per cent) and fired off 15 shots against the visitors, yet could not find a way through a side that has already shipped 82 goals this season.

Speaking to talkSPORT after the contest, Lampard gave credit to the Owls’ defensive work and felt the expectant atmosphere at the Coventry Building Society Arena may have contributed to his side’s uncharacteristic performance.

“A bit frustrating because everyone will look at top of the league and bottom of the league, relegated, and expect a result,” Lampard said.

“I never felt that way. They made it difficult for us in ways in terms of numbers behind the ball and we lacked our usual sharpness and counter-pressing and the little bits that we’re very, very good at normally which feeds into the atmosphere and our performance. We just have to accept it as a fact and take the point.

“I understand there was probably a bit of tension and expectancy around the game. We shouldn’t be affected by that on the pitch, maybe it had an effect on the pitch.

“A lot of these boys are living this situation for the first time and it’s quite unique, not many get here with five games to go and have what’s in front of us. I felt that maybe affected the game slightly.”

How Coventry can secure promotion in their next game

Despite the draw against Wednesday, promotion is still very much a done deal.

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The Sky Blues sit top of the Championship on 85 points, 12 points clear of third-placed Millwall, whose goal difference is 33 goals inferior with four games left to play.

Coventry will be promoted if they avoid defeat in their next match against Blackburn.

Although Lampard acknowledged a giant stride towards promotion in front of their home fans would have been sweet, he is ‘not concerned’ if a Premier League return after over two decades away takes place at Ewood Park.

“I wouldn’t mind how we win it,” Lampard said.

“Our home fans have been amazing. Our away fans are always amazing, some of the best out there, without a shadow of a doubt. I’ve lived this with them for 18 months nearly.

“I’m not concerned if it’s home or away, I just want to get there and still have a job to do.”

Coventry, who have not been in the Premier League since 2001, face Blackburn on Friday at 8pm.