FRANK Lampard branded Coventry City goalkeeper Ben Wilson’s performance as ‘first class’ after the Sky Blues stopper recorded a clean sheet on his return to the side.
Wilson made his first appearance for Coventry in almost seven months against Boro and made two crucial saves as the Sky Blues won 2-0 at the Coventry Building Society Arena to secure a play-off spot.
With Oliver Dovin ruled out for the season with an ACL injury and Bradley Collins out of sorts, Lampard handed Wilson the gloves for the first time since his appointment as head coach back in November.
And Wilson repaid his manager’s faith with a fine display between the sticks much to the delight of head coach Lampard.
Lampard said: “Ben’s character and personality is a sure thing because of how he is in the dressing room.
“I was not worried at all about his handling of the situation but it’s another thing to see him handle it because I’ve not seen Ben play.
“With Ben’s injuries, it was a difficult one, it’s been affecting his training for a period of time.
“I chat with Ben a lot and he said: ‘I’m just starting to feel better’ and he’s banging on my door in the end.
“I needed to see that in training and then in a game.
“It was a first class performance in many senses, he made big saves, was calm on the ball and comes out of his box.”
Wilson will likely keep his place for Coventry’s play-off clash with Sunderland with Collins set to remain on the bench.
Lampard admits it was not an easy decision to drop Collins from the side but believes the result against Boro justifies his selection.
Lampard added: “When I came in, all three goalkeepers had played, that’s not normal and that’s challenging.
“Oliver [Dovin] came in and had a consistent run and does his ACL.
“And I feel for Brad because Brad’s done some good things for us but in the last couple of games he’s had a couple of tough moments.
“No decision like that is easy, particularly with a goalkeeper because I respect that position, it’s the one position that gets more attraction when you make a change.
“It wasn’t easy because I have to think about every part of it but it was decision I felt was the right one and we won the game.”
Coventry host Sunderland in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-finals on Friday, May 9 with kick-off at 8pm at the CBS Arena.
