Frank Lampard blown away by something Leeds did, now trying it at Coventry City
Frank Lampard and Leeds United have not always seen eye to eye.
The Leeds and Derby County ‘Spygate’ drama of 2019 instantly springs to mind, while Lampard has also been critical of Leeds since then.
Leeds fans have never taken to Lampard, but the Englishman can – even if reluctantly – respect what he saw from Daniel Farke’s side last season.
And Lampard has already taken one impressive trait from Leeds‘ promotion-winning campaign last season to instil on his own side.
Frank Lampard hails ‘outstanding’ Leeds and Burnley figures
Leeds and Burnley went up as the top-two sides from the Championship last season, each accruing an impressive 100 points.
Lampard’s Coventry finished fifth, 31 points behind Leeds, and they tasted defeat to Sunderland in the playoff semi-finals.
While there was a lot to admire about Leeds last season on their way to the title, Lampard was particularly impressed by the fitness levels of Farke’s side.
Speaking on talkSPORT on Tuesday, Lampard was asked what he worked on in pre-season to get his Coventry side clicking in the way they have been so far this season.
“Out of a group of 20-plus players, some don’t love running, others do and others are in the middle,” he said.
“You need to get them to buy in and tell them this is what it’ll look like if we can be that team with an amazing work ethic.
“It was clear to me last year, Leeds and Burnley were the two outstanding teams in the league and have a lot of Premier League minutes already.
“But their levels of output were bigger than others. That was our challenge this year, to get fit in pre-season to push ourselves.
Lampard’s Coventry are top of the Championship with nine matches of the current campaign played, and look good value to join Leeds in the top flight next year.
Leeds on course to remain in Premier League
Having a fit team is one thing, but Farke’s current crop have much more to them than just that.
Indeed, in the latest Opta supercomputer prediction, Leeds are now down to narrowly avoid Premier League relegation in 17th place.
Some will wonder why Leeds are down to finish so low considering they are currently 15th, but ultimately anywhere above the bottom three is an achievement.
Farke will be backed to sign new players for Leeds in January, but it is all about getting points on the board between now and the window reopening.