FRANK Lampard believes a ‘mindset change’ inspired Coventry City to a first away victory since November against West Bromwich Albion.
First-half goals from Ephron Mason-Clark and Jack Rudoni earned the Sky Blues a comfortable win against struggling West Brom at The Hawthorns.
The result means City lead the Championship table by three points after title rivals Middlesbrough could only draw at home against Oxford United.
Victory at the Hawthorns saw Coventry win on the road for the first time since victory at Boro back in November.
And Lampard felt his side addressed their issues on the transition, when playing away from home, which saw the Sky Blues end a run of seven games without a victory on the road .
Lampard said: “The overall professionalism of the game and how we approached it [pleased me most].
“We’ve shown a side of ourselves that we needed to show. Some of our away games, we didn’t like the performances.
“It was mainly on the transition with us. There was a little mindset change to make sure we shored up
“We scored two fantastic goals in the first half, real quality in different ways.
“We controlled the first half, we never really felt threatened by them. The organisation of the team was good.
“We wanted to be a bit more compact in the second half but active and let them have it the back because you could feel a little bit of anxiety in the stadium.
“The players delivered all of those messages and that’s what you have to do to get away wins and away performances like that.”
Coventry made the perfect start when Mason-Clark chested down Milan van Ewijk’s ball in-behind and coolly lifted a shot over Max O’Leary in the Albion net after just five minutes.
And the Sky Blues doubled their lead in style on 32 minutes after Albion allowed Rudoni to run with the ball from inside his own half before the midfielder lashed an unstoppable effort into the top-left corner from 20-yards out.
Lampard singled out midfielder Rudoni for praise and admitted the goalscorer has found it tough this season due to injuries.
Lampard added: “It’s a special strike from Rudi.
“I’m delighted for him individually because of how he’s been playing and what he’s been trying to do.
“He’s looking fitter and fresher and he gets a goal that’s of the highest level.
“He’s got an amazing energy. He’s such a talented boy, we all saw that in the second half of last season.
“His levels went up and up and up. It’s been tough for him this season because of injury.
“It’s never for the want of trying or his application. Individually for Rudi, I’m really happy.”
Coventry travel to Sheffield United on Wednesday, February 25 with kick-off at 7.45pm at Bramall Lane.
