FINAL Score pundit Aaron McLean feels it would be ‘better timing’ if Coventry City were to achieve promotion to the Premier League this season.
Coventry suffered a cruel play-off semi-final defeat against Sunderland last season as the Sky Blues lost in the play-offs for the second time in three seasons.
However, Frank Lampard’s side have used the setback as motivation to make a strong start to the current campaign with the Sky Blues unbeaten at the top of the Championship table.
And McLean believes promotion this season would be better timing for the Sky Blues and feels Lampard has built a more complete side this campaign.
Speaking to BBC Sport, McLean said: “They definitely look like they’ve learned from last season and improved and that was always going to be the biggest test. At the moment they’ve passed that test with flying colours.
“It’s not uncommon to see teams have a slight hangover and feel sorry for themselves, but Coventry haven’t done that. I actually feel if they were to go on and get promotion this season it’d be better timing than last season – you can go up too early.
“Frank Lampard got his message across last year in terms of the structure and the way he likes things done, but they now look a more complete team. Week in, week out they’re just churning out great performances, not just getting wins.
“Any team that’s going to get promotion has to have standout goalscorers and Coventry have got Haji Wright, Ellis Simms – who you know is capable – and also Brandon Thomas-Asante, who got a couple against Sheffield Wednesday and has a great record.
“They’ve got goals throughout their squad, with midfielders who will chip in. To score 27 at this stage of the season and be playing the way they’re playing is incredible.”
