Jobi McAnuff makes bold Haji Wright claim live on Sky Sports after Coventry City win | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff has made a bold claim about Coventry City striker Haji Wright after his hat-trick against Middlesbrough.

Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff had particular praise for hat-trick hero Haji Wright after Coventry City 3-1 Middlesbrough.

It was a huge win for Coventry City, with Wright taking his tally to 14 for the season in all competitions. It took Frank Lampard's men back to the top of the Championship table.

The Sky Blues have been top of the table for 24 of the 32 matchdays so far this term, including 23 in a row before Boro knocked them off their perch. That followed a run of 12 games with four wins, three draws, and five defeats.

Getting back to winning ways was vital and could be the catalyst to kickstart their season back into life ahead of the run-in. Wright was the hero at the CBS, scoring after three games without a goal to take himself top of the club's goalscoring charts.

In terms of the golden boot race, only Swansea City's Zan Vipotnik has registered more goals (15) than Wright's tally of 13. However, both Brandon Thomas-Asante and Ellis Simms are into double figures already.

Haji Wright is one of the Championship's best strikers

Jack Rudoni secured an assist alongside goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, with Tatsuhiro Sakamoto crucial during the build-up to the opener. Speaking via Tuesday's Gillette Soccer Special show, Jobi McAnuff had high praise for each, but particularly for Wright.

In terms of centre-forwards, the likes of Josh Sargent and Oli McBurnie would have staked the largest claims for the best in the league, but Wright has to be in that conversation as well.

The Sky Sports pundit said: "Coventry, yesterday, were back to what we saw in those first few months. Sakamoto there — was a threat all night long. Lively.

"Haji Wright, when he’s at it, is as good as anyone at the level. So it was him getting his goals that have eluded him in recent games.

"Performance levels — Jack Rudoni was back to what I expect to see from him."

Haji Wright's Coventry City seasons by numbers

Coventry's rise in recent years can be seen in the quality of strikers they have had. They have finished fifth, ninth, and fifth in the last three campaigns at this level, while scoring plenty of goals in the process.

Only Matty Godden (50) and Gary McSheffrey (73) have scored more than Wright for Coventry since the year 2000. The 27-year-old has improved season on season in the sky blue colours as well.

Keeping him fit, and with good service around him, will ensure they maintain a position inside the top two. He has the pace, power, and eye for goal needed to spearhead their attack.

Coventry keeping Rudoni fit will also improve the service into Wright and the interplay between the forward line, with the midfielder able to knit things together for Lampard. It's an embarrassment of riches in attack.