Coventry City boss Lampard pleased with commitment levels after 1-0 victory at Millwall

Frank Lampard was delighted to secure his first win as Coventry City head coach in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Millwall.

Ephron Mason-Clark’s 68th-minute strike sealed all three points in testing conditions.

Former Chelsea and Everton boss Lampard was impressed with how his side defended their lead particularly as Millwall loaded the box late in the game searching for their equaliser.

“I think firstly in this league you need to have that [commitment],” said Lampard. “I felt it was something that was lacking a bit last week, that last bit of commitment or effort. When you come here they make it really tough for you. Conditions were tough and when it comes to defending your box at the end you have to do it.”

It was a fairly uneventful first half as neither side managed to find a consistent threat. Coventry stepped up their level in the second period and forced Lukas Jensen into smart stops either side of Mason-Clark’s winning goal.

Lampard said. “We didn’t play beautifully – the first half was too slow, too passive, I told them that at half time that we were almost allowing the game to drift and anything can happen here but they grabbed it in the second half. We played quicker, we played forward and we created enough to chances to maybe win the game 2-0 and have the game done.

“But when it wasn’t done we defended really well and that has to continue.”

Former Peterborough attacker Mason Clark has scored in both of Lampard’s matches in charge.

Lampard said: “I’m really happy for him. He’s a young player who arrived at the club – not easy in a difficult spell.

“He’s a talented lad. He’s been a real pleasure to work with. He wants to learn and produce for the club. In the second half he had a 20-minute spell where he looked dangerous and if you get him one-v-one in the box he is a real threat.”