FOOTBALL – Emmanuel Petit admits Coventry City promotion would be ‘massive achievement’ for Frank Lampard
EMMANUEL Petit admits it would be a massive achievement for former teammate Frank Lampard if he could return Coventry City to the Premier League.
Petit played with Lampard at the end of a glittering career which saw the Frenchman win the Premier League, FA Cup, World Cup and European Championships.
And the 54-year-old admits Lampard needs to find success with the Sky Blues following difficult spells in charge of Chelsea and Everton.
Speaking to pokerfirma.com, Petit said: “It would be a big achievement, a massive achievement, if he could get them [Coventry] promoted.
“In his last managerial jobs, he’s really struggled. Frank’s a young manager. I think he needs some success after his recent years.
“In fifth place, in the play-offs now, why not? I wish him all the best. I think it would be a great achievement.
“Everybody wants to come back to the Premier League. When you see a huge team relegated to the Championship, some of them are struggling for years before coming back to the Premier League.
“I remember back in the day when we were playing against Coventry, so that would be a big achievement. Can you imagine? It would be such a big achievement for Frank Lampard and the club.”
Coventry are seeking to return to the to the top flight for the first time since suffering relegation from the Premier League in 2000/01.
And Petit insists the Sky Blues would need to invest heavily in the squad if they were to achieve promotion and then stay up the following campaign.
Petit added: “Coventry would need to make a very powerful commitment if they reach the Premier League because we’ve seen how so many clubs that get promoted find life so difficult in the top flight.
“Most of them come straight back down without much of a fight.
“To stay up, that would be a very big task. They will be facing a huge challenge that would require a massive commitment from everyone at the club and the owner.”
FOOTBALL – Coventry City confirm shuttle bus times for Burnley game
COVENTRY City have confirmed the timings for the shuttle bus service ahead of this weekend’s match against Burnley.
The Sky Blues host the Clarets on Saturday, April 5 with kick-off at 12.30pm at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
The service from Coventry city centre is free for supporters with the club extending the trial period until further notice.
Fans must show their match ticket or season ticket to use the service.
The service will collect fans ahead of the game from the rail replacement bus stops at Coventry Train Station (Near Central Six, opposite Burger King) and White Street Coach Park before dropping them off at the Bus Station at Arena Park Shopping Centre, near to Foleshill Road/Nandos.
Post-match, buses will wait at the bus station at Arena Park and follow the reverse route.
Pick-up times from Coventry Train Station inbound to the Arena for Saturday’s game against Burnley are: 9.30am, 10am, 10.30am, 11am, 11.30am and 12pm (midday).
The services will then stop at White Street Coach Park to pick up any spectators before arriving at the Arena.
Outbound times following the game are as follows: 2.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm, 4pm and 4.30pm.
