When Frank Lampard took the reins at Coventry City in November, the club sat 17th in the Sky Bet Championship table, just two points above the relegation zone.

The immediate task for the former Chelsea midfielder was clear, steer the ship to safety ensuring a place in the division for next season. A Play-Off push, let alone a trip to Wembley was wildly optimistic and ultimately a distant dream.

But the 46-year-old is no stranger to defying the odds. Whether it be as a player in the Premier League, or in this division as a coach.

 In 2019, he guided Derby County to the Championship Play-Off Final, orchestrating a sensational comeback from two goals down in the Semi-Final second leg against Marcelo Bielsa's famed Leeds United side to reach Wembley.

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Although their journey ended in heartbreak at the final hurdle against Aston Villa, the experience of managing in the high-pressure moments that the Play-Offs bring will stand Lampard in good stead this time around.

Fast forward to last weekend, a Club record crowd descended on the CBS Arena to witness the Sky Blues overcome Middlesbrough 2-0 in a winner-takes-all match to finish inside the top six, capping off a remarkable turnaround few would have predicted six months ago.

Now focus turns to a two-legged tie with Sunderland, with the Black Cats holding the advantage of a second-leg at the Stadium of Light. For Coventry, it's two games from Wembley and three from ending their long absence from England's top tier.

All the drama aside, Lampard is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

“Every day they work, support, they're good at things that I'm not so good at and all those things. And then existing staff and players, to do the uplift from 17th to come fifth and get to the playoffs, it's a big achievement," Lampard admitted after Coventry secured their place in the Play-Offs.

“But it’s only a start, we're not over-celebrating here, we're saying thanks to the fans because they support us all season. To make those strides as a club, I think everyone should be happy tonight."

Comeback Kings

If there's a defining characteristic to this side since Lampard's arrival it's been its resilience.

They have turned late drama into an art form, scoring crucial last-minute goals that have helped earn vital points along the way.

None more notable than Bobby Thomas’ 90+7 minute winner to secure a 3-2 win over Stoke City, managed by former Sky Blues boss Mark Robins.

Several players have stood out during this revival, with Hadji Wright scoring 12 goals in 29 games, including a stunning hat-trick against Play-Off opponents Sunderland.

The Club hasn’t graced the Premier League since 2001, but now they’re within touching distance. 

And with Lampard at the helm, there is a growing belief amongst fans that the fairytale ending they’ve longed for is truly on the horizon.