Former Coventry City boss Iain Dowie says judge team after ten games

Iain Dowie insists Coventry City can’t be judged properly until they are ten games into the new Premier League season.

The Sky Blues have lost all three of their opening top flight matches and failed to score a goal so far but showed clear signs of improvement in a highly creditable performance at one of the division’s heavyweights, Man City, at the weekend.

Although losing narrowly 1-0 to an Erling Haaland header, Frank Lampard’s men created a number of chances, only to be denied by world class goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Coventry ’s overall display, however, restored some much needed belief amongst the fans that the players can grow into the season following a hugely disappointing home defeat to Hull the week before, and opening night 3-0 loss at Champions, Arsenal.

Former Sky Blues manager Dowie has faith in Lampard’s ability, saying: “I think he’s right at a pivotal part of his career. I think at times when he got some incredible jobs previously, he maybe wasn’t quite experienced enough. He’s got good experience now, the job he’s done at Coventry is outstanding and the fans love and adore him.

“He just needs to find a way, and it’s really good to see that he’s had good backing. I’d just give him some time. It looks like it’s going to be difficult for a few teams in this league this year. We’ll see.

“I think Frank’s playing style will get him goals. I don’t think their drought will continue for too long.”

With Brighton up next in only the second ever Premier League game at the CBS Arena on Sunday, Dowie told BOYLE Sports, who offer Premier League odds : “Everyone is looking at Hull as the shiny new thing while ignoring Coventry. I think you need a minimum of 10 games before you can really judge anything.

“Coventry and Hull shared a couple of goalless draws last season. But listen, I really like Jakirovic’s defensive structure. Hull haven’t conceded goals, it’s a fantastic win for them against Coventry. No goals conceded, that’s the model. Coventry could have won it, but they didn’t.

“Having said that, you cannot just lose five games in a row – that becomes a real blow. Coventry need to get a result, and I think Frank will get one against Brighton.”

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