Frank Lampard hailed for 'perfect' Jack Rudoni decision at Coventry City | OneFootball

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard has managed Jack Rudoni carefully after his return from injury.

Coventry City need four points to seal a return to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years after a productive Easter period.

The Sky Blues have endured many lows since that relegation from the top flight, with the club dropping to the fourth tier at one stage, and they had to play in Northampton and Birmingham at different points.

So, the fans will be loving life right now, and Frank Lampard’s side could finish the job this weekend if they beat Sheffield Wednesday and results go their way.

Jack Rudoni stepped up for Coventry City in crucial win over Derby County

Obviously, it has been a real team effort from Coventry this season, but there’s no denying that Jack Rudoni is key to the way they play, with the attacking midfielder having flourished since Lampard came through the door.

The 24-year-old was superb in the previous campaign, hitting double figures in goals and assists, and whilst injuries have halted his progress at times this season, he remains someone that Lampard relies on.

That was evident on Good Friday, as the Sky Blues boss turned to Rudoni from the bench after he had missed the previous four games with a calf issue.

Rudoni’s involvement meant some wondered why he wasn’t starting, but Lampard has managed him carefully, with the ex-Huddersfield man also coming on as a sub against Hull last time out.

It’s clearly working too, as Rudoni made a match-winning contribution against the Rams, with his two goals ensuring they overcame their Midlands rivals 3-2. Those goals showed Rudoni at his best, as he timed his run into the box very well before showing composure to finish.

So, when asked by FLW about Rudoni’s more limited role in the past two games, Coventry fan pundit Chris Deez understood Lampard’s approach, and he urged them to continue to be cautious with promotion virtually guaranteed.

“I think the handling of Rudoni coming back from his most recent injury has been perfect, especially when you compare it to his first lay-off this season, where he was missing for a couple of months, and we desperately missed him. We had no creative spark, it was during that terrible blip.

“As soon as he showed any sign of being able to play, he was rushed back in, and you could just tell he was so far off the pace, for at least ten games. Rudoni was holding his shoulder, he was clearly in pain, and he was a shell of himself.

“This time around, though, has been so much better. I was going to the Derby game, and I said to my Dad we wouldn’t see Rudoni again this season. For a month or so, we’ve been pretty much knowing we’d be going up, and with the fixtures we’ve got, it’s been a foregone conclusion, so I didn’t think we’d see Rudoni again, I thought there was no point in risking him.

“So, it took me by surprise when he came off the bench against Derby, when he changed the game, scored two goals and put in a man of the match performance.

“On the back of everyone saying he should start against Hull, I said we should do the same, with Victor Torp starting in the ten and bringing Rudoni on. It didn’t have the same impact as against Derby, but I’m pleased that’s how we’re handling him now.

“He is, absolutely, a 90-minute man, a player you want to start. He can be a super-sub but you want him to play full games. We’ve seen him run the show so many times, especially with Frank Onyeka behind him, which has also freed up Matty Grimes.

“I’ve got to take my hat off to the management team and the medical staff for how they’ve handled it this time around. It looked like we’d lost the Rudoni from last season, and it was awful to see, but I’m so glad he’s found that form, because he’s such an important player for us.”

Frank Lampard has used his Coventry City squad very well

Rudoni has been an excellent signing for Coventry, and he is someone who you would expect to make his mark in the Premier League with the club next season.

Given his style of play, it’s no surprise he has benefited from working with Lampard, who was one of the best midfielders around when it came to making late runs and scoring goals.

But, it’s not just Rudoni who has improved since Lampard arrived, and the Derby game in particular was an example of the boss using his squad to change the game in a positive sense.

Rudoni, Haji Wright and Ephron Mason-Clark all came on just after the hour mark, and that’s when the hosts wrestled control of the game, and they ultimately picked up the three points.

They couldn’t replicate that at Hull, but it was still a creditable point, and it moved them closer to their goal.

So, all connected to the club will have full faith in Lampard given the way he has taken the club on after the great job that Mark Robins had done, and it’s now a matter of time before they can celebrate being a Premier League club once again.