DON Goodman predicts Coventry City will be a Premier League club this time next year with the Sky Blues five points clear at the top of the Championship table.
Frank Lampard’s side have enjoyed a memorable first half of the season after winning 14 of their first 21 matches, scoring 52 goals along the way.
And Sky Sports pundit Goodman believes only a dramatic collapse would see Coventry fail to achieve automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Speaking to CasinoHawks, Goodman said: “I think Coventry have been the only real consistent team in the league this season over the full 21 games and that remains the same as my opinion a couple of months ago.
“This Championship is more inconsistent generically, than I’ve ever known. Perhaps you could look at Middlesbrough now and you’re thinking, ’Wow, they are looking good’ with four wins in a row and the manner of those wins.
“But other than them, you couldn’t possibly say that any single team out of the other 22 have been consistent.
“Based on all that, I’m confident that two points a game or 92 points this season will get you in the top two.
“I’ve got no doubt. So Coventry can afford to lose two and draw one of the next three and still be on target for that, which despite that comfort, I don’t think they’ll do.
“A 12-point cushion to the teams in third and fourth (Preston and Millwall) means it would take one of the biggest collapses I’ve ever seen for Coventry City not to get in the top two.
“If you throw in the mix that they’ve got more goals and more match winners than anybody else, I can’t see it happening.
“I’m still confident that they will definitely finish in the top two. They’ll be a Premier League club this time next year.”
Goodman also believes the Sky Blues are in an envious position to the rest of the division with City 12 points ahead of third-placed Preston North End.
Goodman added: “If you’re being chased or if you’re the chaser, you will put whichever positive spin suits your narrative really.
“I know where you’d rather be though at this stage. I don’t believe there would be anybody out there that wouldn’t want to be in Coventry’s shoes.
“Look, we’re nearly halfway through the season, so to be 12 points clear of third, and let’s have it right, that’s the objective, I don’t know one single person, team or organisation that would not swap with Coventry.
“So for Frank Lampard and his boys, it’s about avoiding complacency.
“I think he felt in the Wrexham game, which was their first defeat of the season, there was a little bit that crept in and they recovered really, really well from that and went on another winning run.
“Obviously, recently they had a loss and a draw to Ipswich and Preston but for them, it’s just about maintaining standards.
“There was always bound to be the odd tough moment, I don’t think for a second, the last game they won against Bristol City was easy but you have to find a way and Coventry have done that better than all so far.
“A 12-point cushion over third looking down is a dream place to be and I reckon they can afford a 20 per cent drop off at this point but I for one don’t see that coming.”
