"THAT'S A SMALL STEP FORWARD!" 💬 | Frank Lampard and Jake Bidwell on Coventry's win over Millwall

Frank, congratulations. You must have enjoyed that second-half performance in particular. Oh, yes, certainly in particular because the first was a bit slow from us. It's not easy to come here, actually, and the conditions were obviously very difficult. But there were things we could have done which we didn't do, which made it difficult in the first half. It was a bit passive from us. But the second half, we got some messages across at half-time and we're really, really proud of them. We played quicker, created chances. We probably should have been two up before that last five to ten minutes, so we had to suffer a bit. But really pleased with the character, really pleased with the personality of the team and it's a nice win. It's a small step forward because there's a lot to do, but we're very happy. Was that the main message at half-time then, to get the ball moving quicker? Move it quicker. There were some different elements to it. From knowing the players for a week, you come in and they've been winning games. To break that, you've got to do more. You've got to move the ball quicker. We're not here to move it slow. When we can, get out and play forward, we need to do that. We need to be a bit better with second balls and a little bit more physical with our game. I saw that in the second half. It was a great reaction, great for the players to feel that. It's really hard. People come in and it's really hard to come in and get a result and we've done that. We talked about Efrem Isinkart last week, but he looked distraught when he missed that double chance for him to then score a few minutes later. It was great. Yeah, and I'm pleased, really pleased for him because he's a developing player still because he's come here for us. Two goals in two games for me while I'm here and I love that goal. When Winger scored those sort of goals, they were inside the six-yard box pretty much. I'm really pleased. Quietish first half, like the whole team, and then second half you saw him come to life a bit and that's what he needs to do. So I'm really pleased for him. Yeah, clean sheet as well, that was big. Yeah, and again that comes down to a bit of character because here it's a certain type of game and some of it is just pure defending your box and making blocks and getting headers. Joel's flying, diving headers in his own box, body's on the line, throwing ourselves in front of shots. They'll do that to everyone here and we defended it brilliantly. It's a great clean sheet. May 4 changes at the start of the game, was that based on what you've seen in training and what you saw last week? Well, I have to be a bit fair at this point because I haven't seen lots of the players and the changes were not for people playing terribly. It's just, OK, we need to look at players, we've got some good options in different positions. So that's more me looking at a week with three games to say, OK, show us what you've got, lads. And for us to see as well as coaching staff what we've got. I thought, as I say, the first half was a bit slow. It wasn't one individual, it was more of a team thing. But I was really pleased with the impact to the subs. We made changes there in the second half. Norman came in with energy and Josh, Brandon comes on. So really, really pleased with J. That's important in this league. We've got a good squad, we've got to use it sometime. Ben Shea felt like there was a real captain's performance from him. Yeah, and I think I'll be clear for Ben. I knew he was a big player for this club and he's come out of being injured for a bit. I came in and he didn't play three games in a week. You have to give credit to that and understand it. And what we saw, I think, was Ben sort of breaking that bit of when you get back, you've got to break yourself a bit to then start feeling fitter, more robust. And then the rest, he's a top player, a top midfield player. So I thought we really showed personality today and showed his qualities and I think those things will get better in the middle of the park. We've got some work to do in there, but we're ready to go. How much will this have taken out of them with a game on Wednesday night now? Well, West Brom play tomorrow. We need to rest and we need to not get too far ahead of ourselves because it's one win. There's a lot of work to do. So it's important to rest. We'll prep for the game on Wednesday and that's the rigours of the championship for you. So we'll have to deal with it. But you're unbeaten. Yeah, well, that's nice to come in there. Last week was, you want to win your first game, but you know this league, if you don't win, you don't want to lose. We did that last week. We've come to, as I say, a really tough place. The big teams have come here this season and lost and we've come here and got a result. So it's important not to get carried away. We've got to stay humble, but great for the players, great for the fans. I mean, wow, it's my first experience with our away fans and that was something special. So big thanks to them. I heard a few refrains of Supi Glampard. Yeah, well, I'm thankful for that. Listen, they support the team and if they support me, that's great. I have to show the work and what they will know is that I'll give everything. I'll live it completely. The clubs I've worked for before, hopefully they all understand how much I give to this job and I just want to help. So if I can do that, I'm very thankful. That help that they give us today, travelling down in those numbers in these conditions and weather, was sensational. So big thanks to them. Cold enough for you? Yeah, I'm shivering now. I can see you are too. Can we wrap it up there? Yeah, thanks. Thank you. Great away win, to be very pleased. Yeah, no, obviously we knew today with the conditions and around the country really, but we knew it wasn't going to be pretty. Still think we played some decent stuff at times, but it's renowned for being a horrible place to come at the best of times. So I won the away win, we're obviously delighted and hopefully the start of really kicking on. How much did the conditions play a part, particularly in that first half? Yeah, it's obviously not easy trying to get the ball down. You can see lads trying to take corners, taking five run-ups because the ball won't stay still. So obviously the ball's moving around all over the place, but I think we still played some decent stuff at times. Obviously, there's still things we can improve on, but more often than not when you come here, it's not really about how it looks, it's about getting a result and I think that was even more so today with the weather involved as well. You do know how to win here, it's two years in a row now. Yeah, no, it's quite hard coming here to be fair. I thought the boys played some good stuff and then battled really well when we needed to. Some good blocks, some good headers late on when they're throwing everything out and stuff. So yeah, showed a bit of everything, but definitely something to build on. You were brought back into the starting line-up, are you pleased with that? Yeah, obviously just pleased to be back, feeling good. We just want to contribute with the boys as well. So yeah, hopefully I can do that more and more in the coming weeks. Yeah, obviously had a frustrating period with the injury. Is that completely behind you now? Yeah, the knee feels great, body feels good. So yeah, I'm hoping, I think it was my first one for six or seven years, so if it's my last one for the next six or seven, I'll take that as well. So yeah, fit and ready to go when needed. So just happy to be out there contributing with the lads. And what's the first week of training been like under the new regime? Yeah, no, it's obviously been good. There's always a bit of excitement when things change over. There's obviously lads that probably haven't had, didn't get much of a go before, probably think it's a chance for them as well. So the competition's always raised, but we've had a good week. Obviously the gaffer's trying to get as much information into us as possible without overloading us, I think. So I think you can see some of the things we've worked on. Like I say, today gives us a good base to move forward with. Well, you said you were at half-time. That seemed to have an impact, didn't it, the second half? Yeah, obviously we said it was difficult in the conditions, but he just emphasised for us to try and express ourselves a bit more, to be honest. You know, sort of whatever your A game is, just bring that to the table a little bit. So, yeah, better second half and hopefully we can go on a bit of a run now. And Efra Mason-Clark, who you work with down the left, are you enjoying that? Yeah, no, Efra's a great player. I've obviously played with left-wingers my whole life and I think obviously he's probably had a bit of a slow start, but you see him day in, day out. He's got a bit of everything. He can score at the back post, he can go left, go right, he can roll people, he's strong, he's quick. So, yeah, I've obviously backed up goals for him as well. I'm obviously delighted for him. He's a great lad. He works his socks off. So, yeah, just really pleased for him. Hopefully he can go on a bit of a run personally as well. It'll be good to see. I know we keep talking about it, but the support you had today, given the weather and what have you, was fantastic. Yeah, it's unbelievable. I don't know how many times I've said it in my three years here, but yeah, it's unbelievable. You say weather conditions and all that, it never stops. Anyone sold out everywhere and I'm just glad we can send them back with three points and make the journey a bit better. And West Brom on Wednesday, another big away game. Yeah, this is it. This is the Championship. One good performance a week won't get you very far, so we need to rest up. We'll have a plan for Wednesday and we need to be ready to go at it again and, yeah, hopefully another performance and another win. Well done. Thank you. Cheers. Thank you.