Exclusive: How Don Goodman thinks Coventry City seal promotion - they must avoid 'massive blow' | OneFootball

Don Goodman has told FLW his verdict on the importance of Jack Rudoni and Haji Wright to Coventry City's promotion push

Don Goodman believes that Coventry City must sort out their defensive issues, as well as hold onto Haji Wright and Jack Rudoni, in order to gain promotion to the Premier League.

Wright has made a strong start to the new campaign, contributing five goals from the opening five fixtures, while Rudoni has registered two goals and one assist.

Meanwhile, the Sky Blues have conceded seven goals from those five fixtures, which is the most of any side currently sitting in the top 10 in the table.

Coventry are eyeing promotion back to the top flight for the first time since 2001, having reached the play-off semi-finals last year.

The Sky Blues also earned a place in the play-off final under Mark Robins as recently as 2023, but have not quite been able to secure top flight status.

Don Goodman raises key defensive issue for Coventry City

Goodman has praised the importance of both Wright and Rudoni at Coventry, but insisted that their defensive issues must be resolved to compete for a top two spot.

The Sky Sports pundit has highlighted the concession of seven goals from an expected goals against of 3.7 as a worrying sign, claiming Carl Rushworth has not had it easy as their goalkeeper.

“I think Coventry are clearly a team that have shown they can score goals for fun, and obviously Haji Wright and Jack Rudoni are an enormous part of that,” Goodman exclusively told Football League World.

“Five goals for Wright, couple of goals and an assist for Jack Rudoni.

“Good grief, if Coventry were to lose them then it would be a massive, massive blow.

“But I do think it’s the other end of the pitch, really, where if they can stop the goals going in at the other end, then I do believe that they’re good enough to challenge for a top two place this season, Coventry.

“It’s been a tough baptism of fire for Carl Rushworth, who did really well on loan for Swansea, but has just let a couple of goals in that maybe he shouldn’t.

“They’ve let in seven goals from an xG against of three point [seven], so clearly they’re making errors and conceding too many.

“It’s a balance, they need to keep their best players and they can stop making mistakes at the other end, they’re in business.”

Jack Rudoni’s new contract

It has been reported by Talksport that Rudoni is closing in on a new contract with Coventry after speculation surrounded his future throughout the summer.

This will be welcome news among supporters, who will be keen to see the playmaker remain a part of Lampard’s side.

Rudoni joined the Sky Blues in the 2024 summer market from Huddersfield Town, and has become a crucial part of the team under Lampard.

Meanwhile, Wright has established himself as the key man leading the line, with Coventry scoring more goals than any other side in the Championship in the opening five games.

Defensive issues are a theme in Frank Lampard’s career

Lampard’s side are a great attacking side, but the downside is that they are a bit leaky at the back, which could cost them important points.

However, this is a theme with the former England international, whose Chelsea side scored plenty but also made massive mistakes at the back.

It’s difficult to see that issue being reversed any time soon given Lampard’s coaching career to date.

But the positive side is that their attacking is now firing on all cylinders, which might make the issues at the back worthwhile if they can keep out-scoring their opponents consistently.