Lampard thrilled Coventry keeper call pays off

Frank Lampard, the Sky Blues’ manager, was pleased that his “big call” to change his goalkeeper was honored as a result of their promotion to the Championship play-off spot.

Ben Wilson made six saves in Lampard’s 2-0 win over Middlesbrough, his first start since October, as a replacement for Brad Collins.

Coventry will now face Sunderland in a play-off semi-final on Friday at the CBS Arena (10:00 BST).

Lampard told BBC CWR, “It’s a big call.” When you switch up for the final game of the season, “all eyes are on the goalkeeper.”

Following a number of errors in the previous few games, most notably the injury-time winner Luton Town’s goal at Kenilworth Road seven days ago, Collins was dropped.

Coventry’s play-off destiny was unknown at the time of the final game, but Wilson had been a huge help to Boro.

With the game goalless in the first half, he made a significant save to deny Finn Azaz, and Wilson made some crucial save saves to keep that advantage after the visitors threatened to equalize after the break.

Lampard, 32, injured his knee when he first joined the club in November, but he recovered, waited, and showed his appreciation to his manager on Saturday.

Ben claimed that he was injured quite badly, and that he only recently claimed that he was feeling better and looking better.

It’s difficult to train at their level for a goalkeeper with an injury. He was only recently ready, and I already knew that.