FORMER Coventry City player and manager Gary McAllister has tipped the Sky Blues to finish in the play-offs this season.
McAllister scored 26 goals in 140 appearances during his first spell with the club from 1996 to 2000.
He later returned to the Sky Blues as player-manager in April 2002, making a further 60 appearances, scoring 12 goals, before resigning as boss in January 2004.
And McAllister, who won the club’s player of the year award at the end of the 1999/00 season, believes current City head coach Frank Lampard will achieve a top-six finish this campaign.
Speaking exclusively to OLBG.com, McAllister said: “Frank has started really well. I think they were in a decent position when he got there and I was really surprised to see Mark Robins go.
“Coventry do tend to finish the season well, they come with late runs to get themselves up into the play-offs.
“I think at the top of the league, it’s looking as if the top two are pulling away and then it’s a bit of a bun fight for the next four slots.
“I’ve got a soft spot for Coventry City obviously, they were very good, a smashing family club.
“Frank has got them playing but I thought they played some good stuff under Mark Robins as well.
“My feeling is I think Coventry will just jump into the play-off slots.”
McAllister also heaped praise on Sky Blues boss Lampard for returning to the dugout following tough spells in charge of Everton and Chelsea.
McAllister added: “Frank’s had his ups and downs and he’s persevered and he’s kept at it and it’s nice to see somebody, an ex-player, a very high profile, wonderful player, who quite simply must love the game doing well.
“He’s had his knock at tough times in some of his managerial slots, but very keen to rub himself, dust himself down and get back involved.
“I tip my hat to Frank for keeping going.
“He’s at a good club with good people, so it would be a fantastic turnaround.
“I think there’s been some decent work done by the club and the previous manager and Frank went in and just gave it a nice little bit of a lift and hopefully that can push them up.”
And the former midfielder also tipped the Sky Blues to edge past weekend opponents Preston North End and continue their charge up the Championship table.
McAllister said: “Well I’m always a bit biased here, I’ve not watched a great deal of Preston, I know their form has been a wee bit better recently, but I’d fancy Coventry City to win.
“Coventry to win 1-0, that’ll do me.”
