Coventry City rank worst for this Championship stat - but it should actually please Frank Lampard | OneFootball

Coventry City have missed more big chances than any other side in the Championship this season.

Coventry City’s dramatic stoppage time win over Portsmouth saw Frank Lampard’s side move back into the play-off places with five games to go.

The Sky Blues have been on a fine run of form since they took the bold decision to replace club legend Mark Robins with Lampard, and promotion is now a realistic aim.

Whilst you can’t play down the impact Lampard has had, the reality is that Coventry were underachieving prior to his appointment, as there is a lot of talent in the squad that has been assembled at the CBS Arena.

Coventry City have the firepower to win promotion

Coventry’s success under the new boss has been down to their ability to score goals.

Since Lampard’s appointment, Coventry are fourth in the Championship table, and they have found the net 36 times in 24 games, a goal return that only Leeds United can beat.

With Haji Wright, Ellis Simms and Ephron Mason-Clark as some of the attacking options, it’s easy to see why Coventry have been so prolific, with Jack Rudoni also emerging as a constant goal threat from midfield under Lampard.

So, there is a confidence among the group that they can blow teams away, and the number of late goals that the side scores prove that they never give up.

Coventry City are still wasteful in front of goal

Despite all the positivity that comes with Coventry’s attacking prowess, it’s perhaps surprising to note they rank as the worst team when it comes to ‘big chances missed’.

The 74 they have squandered is comfortably the worst in the league, and it’s significantly more than fellow play-off hopefuls Middlesbrough (51), Bristol City (50) and West Brom (46).

Naturally, you would be concerned by this stat, especially at this stage of the season.

With five games to go, we are in a position where every minute counts, and if you are missing chances, it can be the difference between finishing in the top six or falling short.

Lampard will no doubt be demanding his players show the ruthless streak they need to win promotion, and there will be a responsibility on the forwards to take the chances that come their way.

Coventry City can take encouragement from the chances they are creating

Yet, you could also look at that stat as a positive, as it demonstrates that the side are creating chances, with Leeds, the league leaders and top scorers by a distance, in second place on that table.

As outlined above, scoring goals hasn’t been a problem for the Midlands outfit, so the fact there is room for improvement by showing a more clinical edge in front of goal is hugely encouraging.

The short-term challenge for Coventry is to book their place in the play-offs, and then it will be about ending their long stay outside the Premier League.

Their form under Lampard shows they have nothing to fear when it comes to the rest of the league, and they have found momentum at just the right time.

The attacking unit has been the basis for Coventry’s promotion push, but the stats show they can get even better. If they improve on that efficiency over the next month or so, it could be too much for their rivals.