Coventry 0-1 Hull City: What Lampard saidpublished at 18:29 BST
18:29 BST
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Coventry boss Frank Lampard told BBC Sport: "For a game we controlled a lot of the possession we were too slow with it. Against a back five and a team who want to slow you down.
"We created more problems than Man Utd did. But it wasn't like us. Normally we're more aggressive. There's some serious lessons to learn.
"[Missing] Quality as well. You have to work towards quality. It was too much slow play from us. It's hard against a back five. When you cross they have players to deal with it.
"The Premier League brings it with feeling around it, it's a step up. It's a mental side for the players - I want them to get over it. They have to get to grips with it. We have to get there quickly.
"You talk about experience but it's moments on the pitch. The counter attack [goal] was our corner, you have to stop it by any means. Those details are crucial."
Did you know?
Coventry have lost both of their Premier League games this season, with this the first time since April 2023 that Frank Lampard has lost consecutive league matches without seeing his side score.
Coventry manager Frank Lampard has won just one of his last 19 games in the Premier League (D4 L14), and hasn't seen his side keep a clean sheet at this level for 18 consecutive matches (37 goals conceded).
Analysis: Hosts get reality checkpublished at 17:56 BST
17:56 BST
Steve Sutcliffe BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Defender Ethan Pinnock was the latest player to arrive at Coventry earlier this week in a recruitment drive that has amounted to more than £100m on 10 players.
On this evidence more investment may be required, particularly at the top end of the pitch, if they are to ensure that this season is not only a brief sojourn in the Premier League after a 25-year absence.
While they huffed and puffed against Hull and Awoniyi led the attacking line well, they rarely threatened to score against a well-organised visiting defence.
Only three of their 11 efforts on goal found the target and the best of those, from Awoniyi, lacked power, with the ball being directed towards goal off the Nigerian international's thigh.
And in the later stages of the game they also showed vulnerability in defence as they pressed for their first win in the division since April 2001.
Having failed to heed an earlier warning when Millar dragged an effort wide instead of playing in Belloumi, they paid the ultimate price when roles were reversed and the Algerian winger picked out the right pass.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Newcastle" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Everton match", for example.
Grennan meets Lampard - The Football Interviewpublished at 11:09 BST
11:09 BST
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In a special episode of The Football Interview, singer-songwriter and Coventry City fan Tom Grennan sits down with Frank Lampard ahead of the club's first home Premier League match in more than 25 years.
They reflect on a memorable season that saw Coventry secure automatic promotion and discuss whether they will need to prove the doubters wrong this season, as well as how they must adapt their game to compete at the highest level.
Sutton's predictions: Coventry v Hullpublished at 11:06 BST
11:06 BST
I thought Andros Townsend was a bit harsh on Coventry City on the Monday Night Club talking about the way they were beaten by Arsenal. I think Arsenal have the best team, the best squad and I don't think we can really judge Coventry on that.
I think seven or eight of the players were playing in the Championship last season so this is a big game because you can imagine Coventry fans thinking this is a great chance at home to get three points after a tough start.
But Hull will go into this thinking if they can go back-to-back then what a start that is because they've been written off by idiots like myself. But I am going to edge Coventry at home.
No Premier League gifts at Coventry - Lampardpublished at 22:00 BST 28 August
22:00 BST 28 August
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Frank Lampard has warned his Coventry squad he is not in the business of giving Premier League presents.
The Sky Blues host Hull City on Saturday, their first Premier League home game in 25 years after last season's promotion.
Lampard has signed 10 new players this summer, with Manchester City defender Stephen Mfuni also expected to join on loan.
But, Lampard insisted everyone must prove their worth.
He said: "I'm not here to give gifts of Premier League games to players unless they compete and show that they're ready to play in the league, and I think we need that. So there might be a bit more edge around it and I think that can be a positive thing.
"You have to understand the human side of it. The players who got us here want to now show they can do it in the Premier League.
"There's also a brutal reality to that. You have to understand the competitive nature of the squad has changed - whether you were here before or whether you're new into the team, you just have to compete at a level that's going to make us better. "
Lampard, though, understands it is important to strike a balance between the new players and last season's squad who won the Championship title to achieve Premier League football.
"The season we had last year was incredible," he said. "It was a real sweet spot of a small, tight-knit squad not expected to be automatically promoted, with players who are developing - that really develop and show their stuff - and you win the league by 11 points. It's not always going to be that good.
"I want the reaction of a player to go: 'Oh, you brought him in - let me show that I'm better than him.' That has to be the mentality of it."
Coventry City v Hull City: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:06 BST 28 August
19:06 BST 28 August
Paul Birch BBC Sport journalist
A first top-flight meeting between Coventry City and Hull City becomes the 1,454th different fixture to be played in England's top division and the 942nd since the Premier League was formed. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes going into Saturday's match.
These newly promoted sides face each other having had contrasting fortunes from tough assignments on their Premier League comebacks.
Having been roundly tipped to make an immediate return to the Championship, Hull City were in dreamland after confounding their critics as the Tigers tore into Manchester United.
The doom-laden pre-season predictions had irked everyone at the club, with head coach Sergej Jakirovic calling it "disrespect", so a 2-0 victory over the 13-time Premier League champions will have tasted particularly sweet.
"We are trying to prove people wrong," he said afterwards. "I know there are 37 games to go, but this is a good base for the future.
"We showed last season we are mentally very strong and that we can compete against everyone - maybe that is the key. This victory is amazing because now they are convinced they can compete at this level."
His assistant, Dean Holden, revealed after the game that they had been planning for weeks to play a back three to target weaknesses they had spotted studying Manchester United's matches in pre-season.
Victory was achieved despite having just 28% possession and similar low figures are set to become the norm for Hull this season. "We are comfortable without the ball," Holden said. "It isn't like we are coming up here having dominated the Championship and now we have to change our style. We are comfortable in a mid-block - that is one of our biggest strengths - and playing on the counter-attack is as well."
Coventry desperate for points amid tricky start
Coventry, of course, cannot be properly judged on their opening match given facing Arsenal is arguably the toughest gig in club football at the moment.
In what was a baptism of fire in their first top-flight game for 25 years, they found themselves two goals down and on the ropes at the Emirates after just 23 minutes. To their credit, the Sky Blues didn't cave in, but it was a salutary lesson in the gulf in class between the Championship and the Premier League.
Their first Premier League home fixture since a 0-0 draw with Bradford City in May 2001 is on paper an much easier test than the facing the Gunners, but that performance by Hull against Manchester United has heaped more pressure on Frank Lampard's side.
As defeat for the Sky Blues would leave them six points adrift of their fellow promoted side after just two matches, a far from ideal scenario especially as Opta's calculations rate Coventry's opening schedule as being the toughest of any team.
Picking up points at the CBS Arena will be crucial and they boasted the best home record in the Championship last season, amassing 55 points from their 23 games (W17, D4, L2).
Lampard will be desperate to improve on a record of just one win in his past 18 top-flight games as a manager, and no clean sheets in his past 17. But he can at least fall back on excellent results against Hull City. Eight matches without defeat versus the Tigers is the best record of his managerial career, while he was also unbeaten against them in six top-flight matches as a player.
Lampard expecting electric atmosphere as 25-year wait ends published at 11:20 BST 28 August
11:20 BST 28 August
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Boss Frank Lampard has backed Coventry fans to help give them the edge in any survival battle.
The Sky Blues host Hull on Saturday to end a wait of a quarter of a century for Premier League football at home.
It is the first top flight game at the CBS Arena, with the Sky Blues relegated in 2001 while at Highfield Road.
Lampard took Coventry to the Championship title last season and expects another party atmosphere on Saturday.
"After 25 years and how our fans are, I expect them to be electric for every game," said Lampard. "Now, every game will test you and through 90 minutes it will be tough moments, we have to do our bit.
"But this is a particularly exciting game because it's the first one but I also have to focus on performance of the team and all those details.
"No doubt the fans will be very excited and we want to tap into that and we want to play with that energy.
"We have to be realistic about the level of opposition that will be coming here through the course of the season and the difficulties we may have in certain moments.
"It's a club where the fans have a deep affection for lots of individuals within the squad, they sing individual names, they sing collectively for the group and of course they'll be there for us in the good and the more difficult times because it's such a big deal for us."
'Hopefully my goals keep Coventry in Premier League' - Awoniyipublished at 09:33 BST 28 August
09:33 BST 28 August
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Coventry City forward Taiwo Awoniyi hopes his goals can help the Sky Blues secure survival and remain in the Premier League as he puts the club's priorities ahead of any personal targets.
He told BBC Radio CWR about his ambitions after signing from Nottingham Forest: "I'm just a player that goes with the flow.
"Of course, I always have my own personal target but when I come to a new environment. The goal is what the environment needs and, for me now, the thing I believe we need most is just to stay in the league, which is my personal target."
The 29-year-old Nigerian striker joined Coventry in a deal worth £9m having scored 23 goals in 103 games for Forest.
"I know, as a striker, the goal is to score the goals, but before the goals you need to work for it.
"So, for me my target is just to work as hard as I can for the club, for the team and, at the end, the goals will come naturally - and hopefully they will keep us in the league."
Lampard on learning lessons, Pinnock and Hull Citypublished at 17:13 BST 27 August
17:13 BST 27 August
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Coventry boss Frank Lampard has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Hull City at CBS Arena (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
There are no new injury concerns going into the weekend, with Jack Rudoni and Ephron Mason-Clarke returning to the matchday squad in Tuesday's Carabao Cup win at Plymouth.
On the arrival of Ethan Pinnock from Brentford: "He's a player I've admired for a long time. Lots of Premier League experience at a very good club. He strengthens the squad."
Lampard said lessons were learned in their opening defeat by Arsenal, but "to give some credit, it was - for a lot of them - their first Premier League game". He added: "We have to now move on from that. We competed to a level, but we can do better and we will do better going forward."
He said he is "excited to see" what his side can do against Hull and wants them to "play with the energy and intensity" that they did last season at home.
On Saturday's opponents: "You can't disrespect Hull because they've just beaten Manchester United in their first game and they will be feeling very good about themselves. It is a different challenge to what Arsenal was."
He said "there's an expectation that we can compete" against the Tigers and "be favourites for this game", but given their threat he "will never talk Hull down".
On needing the fans as the 12th man: "After 25 years, and knowing how our fans are, I expect them to be electric in every game."
He said "it is possible" that goalkeeper Oliver Dovin could be sent out on loan to get regular playing time. Lampard added: "He's a very talented goalkeeper. He's fine, but he's not played many minutes. That's why we're analysing over the next couple of days to see if there's a good option for him to play regularly."
On facing Aston Villa in the third round of the Carabao Cup: "An exciting draw and to be at home is great for us. It's the derby feel and factor. I know of it, but I've not lived it so I'm sure it will be an electric night. I'm excited for when it comes."
Hit play above to hear more from Lampard, speaking to BBC CWR's Rob Gurney, or listen on BBC Sounds here
Coventry move for Man City's Mfuni on loanpublished at 14:01 BST 27 August
14:01 BST 27 August
Shamoon Hafez Manchester City reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Newly promoted Coventry City are in talks to sign Manchester City defender Stephen Mfuni on a season-long loan deal.
The 18-year-old made his first-team debut as a substitute in the FA Cup third round last season, before going on to make eight appearances on loan at Watford in the Championship.
Several clubs from the second tier have reportedly been interested in signing Mfuni, but he now appears set to play under Frank Lampard at the CBS Arena.
Coventry have been busy in the transfer market on their return to the Premier League, signing 10 players so far for a total outlay of about £130m.
'I can't wait to be a part of it' - Pinnockpublished at 15:52 BST 26 August
15:52 BST 26 August
Image source, Getty Images
New Coventry City signing Ethan Pinnock says he understands the magnitude of the club's return to the Premier League after 25 years of waiting.
The 33-year-old centre-back has left Brentford and penned a permanent deal at the CBS Arena for an undisclosed fee.
Since leaving Barnsley in July 2019, Pinnock has featured 216 times in all competitions for the Bees, including 117 appearances in the Premier League, scoring 12 goals and registering seven assists.
"I'm really excited to join Coventry City and continue my footballing journey with this great club," Pinnock said. "After 25 years, this club is back in the Premier League.
"I know how much it must mean to everyone involved with the club and the supporters - and I can't wait to be a part of it.
"I'm really looking forward to getting to work. I can't wait to meet everyone and represent this football club, especially at the CBS Arena."
Alongside his extensive top-flight experience, Pinnock has also represented Jamaica 28 times, featuring in both the Copa America and Gold Cup for his country.
