'An experienced defender' - fans on what Coventry still need to dopublished at 10:31 BST
10:31 BST
Image source, Getty Images
We asked you what transfer business Coventry City need to complete before Tuesday's 23:00 BST deadline.
Here are some of your comments:
Bruce: I think Frank Lampard will want to bring in some midfield cover (particularly defensive).
Dean: I feel we need a left-back still to compete with Jay Dasilva unless we're going to play Ethan Pinnock there who is left-footed. Other than that, we've done some good business so far and need time to bed the new players in.
Barry: Just sell Dasilva and Liam Kitching and we will be rocking.
Richard: A strong, experienced defender - getting at least one is vital. Then maybe, just maybe we can stay up or even better... let's hope.
Forse: We need to improve defensively with a good left-back and possibly another central defender. I feel the midfield will be strong after a few games as the best combination will be found. The strikers will score goals, the midfield will create chances for them.
Bob: I think we are still a couple of pieces short. If we get those and get the team to gel, we will be OK, surviving in the lower half and building from there. Stick to it, Doug King and Frank Lampard, and all will come good!
BBC CWR transfer special - watch live at 22:00published at 10:28 BST
10:28 BST
BBC CWR will be bringing you a special show on later on Tuesday examining the transfer business done by Coventry City.
The programme, presented by sports editor Rob Gurney and Coventry reporter Will Oelrich, will run from 22:00 to 00:00 BST, taking in the 23:00 transfer deadline.
Follow all the twists and turns of deadline daypublished at 07:08 BST
07:08 BST
Tuesday is the final chance of the summer for your Premier League team to do transfer business.
The window closes at 23:00 BST, so teams - and fans - could be in for a late-night transfer scramble.
It has already been a busy window, but whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.
'Both Hull and Coventry are long shots to stay up'published at 17:14 BST 31 August
17:14 BST 31 August
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty Images
I undertook the 600 mile round trip to watch Coventry against Hull at the weekend, keen to see if either has a chance of avoiding relegation.
Frank Lampard's Sky Blues looked very impressive for half an hour at home, knocking the ball about neatly, creating nice patterns and generally being pleasing on the eye as they moved from defence to midfield. Unfortunately, as a team they tend to float like a butterfly and sting like one too.
It feels painful considering the honest endeavour on display from both sides and the passion shown by the fans, but the Premier League shows no mercy.
After watching them live, even though they have spent big, I reckon both Hull and Coventry are long shots to stay up.
They have boldly spent £150m on new players, big money for a club their size and with their recent history. Frank has obviously coached them extremely well, but the obvious glaring problem is the lack of real Premier League quality in the final third. Apart from some flashes of serious ability from substitute winger Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, it looks like it could be a long hard season ahead for them with precious little creativity and few goals to cheer.
What about their promotion partners Hull City? Certainly not as pleasing on the eye but who cares about that after grabbing all six points from six without conceding a goal.
Have they found, the admittedly more prosaic, answer of how to stay in the Premier League? Maybe they have – the back three are incredibly strong, organised and fabulously athletic and clearly love defending.
There is still a nagging doubt though. Premier League teams will work out that impressive-if-obvious Plan A. I just wonder what the Plan B looks like.
Eventually, they will need one when they go behind in a game as that breaking style becomes a bit pointless when you are two down.
The suspicion is that they will have a slightly better chance than Coventry, but right now survival would be a major triumph for either.
Pat Nevin writes weekly in the Football Extra newsletter. If you're outside the UK and would like to receive it, sign up here.
Alan: For their goal, the physicality Lampard tries to instill was non existent. Sakamoto tried to win the ball on the edge of their 18-yard line with all the physicality of a 12-year-old. Cant happen if we want any chance of staying in this league.
Gaz: Overall, not terrible, but a little one-dimensional in the final third. For the number of crosses we put in the box, we didn't look like scoring - and Hull, in fairness, looked far more likely as the game went on. With Manchester City away next week we may be waiting a while until the first points on the board.
Neil: Slow play and lacking in top third. New players still to bed in, but we need more improvement. We could be a very exciting team when we can get it together.
Derek: Coventry were too slow going forward. We have spent over £100m and for what? Players that are no better then what we had last season. We have played three games so far and not put in one good performance.
Hull City fans
Chris: Hull's start is a testament to teamwork, preparation and self-belief, NOT expensive individuals, presumption and the arrogance displayed by teams that wrote City off before they kicked a ball. Whether they stay up or go down, no-one should ever say they somehow got in by the back door that doesn't exist or are not worth watching. Well done Hull City - keep it and yourselves up.
Den: Enjoyed the win, even though we weren't the best team, unlike last week. A win's a win. We sat back too much and gave Coventry an easier game than against Manchester United, who we hounded more.
Dominic: Classic Hull performance - strong and solid and playing for the sucker-punch goal. Their ability to see an overall lower total possession as a tool to threaten opponents, who haven't scored and are increasingly frustrated, near the end of the game just shows you how tenacious and robust they are drilled to have the energy to threaten when it matters most. Tougher tests will come but great start.
Gary: Perfect away performance. Controlled and nullified Coventry and then a clinical counter-attack. Clean sheets are so important and we have two from two. Need to remain humble and continue to work hard.
Lampard recognises nervy Coventrypublished at 09:03 BST 31 August
09:03 BST 31 August
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
For Coventry City, after 25 years away, it was not supposed to start like this.
All the anticipation and the waiting has ended with a crushing dose of reality.
A second successive defeat will serve as a reminder that, despite the euphoria of their top-flight return, this season will be a constant battle.
Coventry can at least seek solace in the fact 10 promoted sides have lost their first two Premier League games and survived, the last being Aston Villa in 2019-20. But they will need to improve.
Sandwiched between an opener at champions Arsenal and a trip to runners-up Manchester City, the Sky Blues needed to take something against Hull City.
Yet owner Doug King looked on grimly from the stands as he watched time tick by and the Sky Blues fail to recover from Liam Millar's 82nd-minute strike.
The opening 3-0 defeat at Arsenal was understandable, but this defeat leaves them already playing catch up.
There was a nervousness about the Sky Blues, which was picked up by boss Frank Lampard. It is something which needs eradicating quickly.
"This season was always going to be very different to last season, but I sensed a bit of edge in the quality of our passes and playing it safe rather than playing it forward," he said. "Maybe that is apprehension, but I don't like the excuse of it."
Ashley Williams believes the defeat will hit Coventry's confidence.
The former Wales captain, who won promotion to the Premier League with Swansea in 2011, knows how crucial the early psychological blows can be.
"They blitzed the Championship last year and were full of confidence coming into the season, but after two defeats everything suddenly becomes that much harder," he said on Final Score.
"As players, you look at the table and it is not nice when you're at the wrong end of it. They will see they are already six points behind Hull City, which is a real kick in the teeth, and all those little doubts will start to kick in."
'I feel blessed to be here' - Mfunipublished at 13:26 BST 30 August
13:26 BST 30 August
Image source, Coventry City
Stephen Mfuni says he is "looking forward" to playing for Coventry City after joining on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City.
The 18-year-old defender has appeared once for his parent club, making his senior debut as a substitute in last season's 10-1 win against Exeter City in the FA Cup.
The England Under-19 international was then loaned to Watford, where he played eight times in the Championship.
"I feel blessed to be here, it's exciting," said Mfuni. "These are moments you dream of and to do it with such a good team and a good squad, I'm looking forward to it.
"I spoke to the gaffer, he wants me to show what I normally do on the pitch, whether I'm at left-back or centre-back, and for me to keep being me and do what I do."
Mfuni becomes Coventry head coach Frank Lampard's 11th signing since they were promoted to the Premier League at the end of last season.
Coventry 0-1 Hull City: What Lampard saidpublished at 18:29 BST 29 August
18:29 BST 29 August
Media caption,
Coventry boss Frank Lampard speaking to 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 Manchester United 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 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 29 August
17:56 BST 29 August
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 29 August
11:09 BST 29 August
Media caption,
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 29 August
11:06 BST 29 August
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.
Image source, Getty Images
