Coventry City predicted team v Millwall after Frank Lampard’s first full week on the grass
Coventry City predicted team from CoventryLive as Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner attempts to second guess Frank Lampard’s selection to face Millwall
Frank Lampard will have had a full week to get to know his players a bit better before he names the second Coventry City team of his new tenure when the Sky Blues travel to Millwall on Saturday.
Having had just a couple of days of training ahead of his first selection, to face Cardiff last weekend, he may well have gone on what he’s seen in recent matches – having watched footage of several games – and the advice of existing coaches before naming his starting eleven against the Bluebirds.
But the 2-2 CBS Arena draw will have given him a better insight into his newly inherited squad, coupled with a week on the grass at Ryton where he will, no doubt, have started to get plenty of work into the players as to the way he wants them to play.
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So what can we expect at The Den? Well, having already set out his stall that he prefers a back four, it’s safe to assume he’ll continue with that system rather than a back three with wing-backs. That being the case, Milan van Ewijk pretty much picks himself at right-back while Jake Bidwell could well come into contention at left-back where Jay Dasilva has been playing during his time out injured.
The central defensive partnership is arguably up for grabs after disappointing goals were conceded last time out, with Joel Latibeaudiere and Liam Kitching options to come in if Lampard wants to change either of last weekend’s starters, Bobby Thomas and Luis Binks.
Who plays in goal is another conundrum for the new head coach. Will he stick with Brad Collins or recall Oliver Dovin? Ben Wilson remains out injured with a knee ligament strain.
Although very few players came out with much credit from the Cardiff match, Ben Sheaf is almost certain to continue in midfield with Josh Eccles, while Victor Torp and Jamie Allen provide options to partner the captain.
Assuming Lampard sticks with two wide men, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and Ephron Mason-Clark will be favourites given it is their natural position and fact that Haji Wright is not expected to be fit yet as he continues to recover from an ankle injury, while Jack Rudoni is the most obvious contender to fill the number ten role.
However, who leads the line remains to be seen. Lampard has worked with Ellis Simms before, albeit briefly, during their time at Everton and the head coach has talked about him being a proper number nine. However, away from home one wonders if he might prefer the rapid pace and non-stop running and pressing of Norman Bassette to start. Other attacking options include Brandon Thomas-Asante and Fabio Tavares, of course.
Predicted City line-up v Millwall: Oliver Dovin; Milan van Ewijk, Bobby Thomas, Luis Binks, Jake Bidwell; Josh Eccles, Ben Sheaf; Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Victor Torp, Ephron Mason-Clark; Norman Bassette.
