Coventry City v Middlesbrough: Championship’s top two meet in vital game

Despite Coventry’s good record against Boro there is no getting away from their current form.

Only four wins in 13 games since the end of November.

Only 16 points from a possible 39.

Seven without a win away from home.

But rather than see those wither further in the light of Boro’s brilliance, Lampard said he is seeing that in isolation.

“Sometimes you just have to applaud six wins on the bounce, and even before that they had four wins when the manager came in, so it’s an incredible run of form,” he said.

“That’s what changes the face of it slightly. We had our run, and we had a run last season of similar vein, and sometimes you say ‘well done’ and understand they are going to be difficult opponents.

“The players understand it. It’s the top two in the league. Everyone’s looking forward to it and has to have ultra focus.

“The intensity of the game’s going to be big. Boro are a very good footballing team.

“Our form was amazing in the first half of the season and Boro have gone into similar form, and we’ve come off it.”

As ever, at this stage, one result does not make a season, and Lampard knows that whatever happens at the CBS Arena on Monday, Ipswich Town, Hull City and Millwall are all demanding attention, with Millwall now just three points behind them in third.

As leaders, Coventry were the hunted. They still are.

“Is this must-win?” Lampard said. “No, because there are 14 others [games left].

“Do we want to win? Absolutely, yes.

“What’s important for us now is action. We will have to be at our best to win.”