\n<\/p>\n
The manager, for his part, has protected his players from the promotion pressure.<\/p>\n
He said: “I try to be simple and direct about it. I don’t like to talk too much. My situation 15 years ago in a big game is maybe different to theirs but maybe it’s one of the positives of having a long career and then becoming a manager. You have lived it. <\/p>\n
“I can give some personal reflections or words which can impact the players. I have been here before. Every game is a banana skin if you don’t approach it in the right way – if you either relax or allow the pressure to overcome you. <\/p>\n
“So I try to keep it simple and if I feel it’s time for a little bit of a poke, I can give them a poke.<\/p>\n
“I get on well with them, I think I do. I can give them that poke and sometimes you try to find the right situation.”<\/p>\n
Those pokes have been rarely needed this season. They have lost successive league games just once, suffering defeats by Norwich and QPR in January as a 10-point lead evaporated. <\/p>\n
Middlesbrough were level on 58 points at the end of January. Since then, Coventry have lost once in 13, winning eight of them.<\/p>\n
Boro even went top in February but Coventry them beat them 3-1 to regain control.<\/p>\n
In the past 99 seasons, Coventry have won five successive games only five times – three of them have come under Lampard this season after another streak last term.<\/p>\n
“You’re welcome,” he joked. “I’m happy, of course I am, it’s should reflect on the players and the staff. <\/p>\n
“Me, Chris [Jones] and Joe [Edwards] drove up here a year-and-a-bit ago and it was all new to us as well. <\/p>\n
“We have enjoyed it but the boys and everyone have worked so hard. The players are the ones who deliver.”<\/p>\n
Of the changes Lampard has driven, none have been bigger than shifting the pessimistic Sky Blue thinking. <\/p>\n
After numerous blows on and off the field in the past decade – despite now three promotions in eight years – Coventry fans could be forgiven for their gloomy outlook. Reclaiming a top-flight place has restored belief.<\/p>\n
“I watched them come down the leagues. Maybe the fans are entitled to have the syndrome,” said Lampard.<\/p>\n
“I grew up a West Ham fan and it was similar, in a different way, as they reflected on 1966, I went to Everton for a year and it was similar.<\/p>\n
“It’s human nature. Maybe it’s British culture – what’s round the corner, expect the worst – but I get it. <\/p>\n
“It’s part of the fun – it doesn’t sound fun but you’ve got to suffer to enjoy the good stuff.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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