FULL PRESS CONFERENCE | Joel Latibeaudiere and Frank Lampard preview Coventry City v Luton Town 🎙️

So Frank, two games to go, it's still in your hands, what's the buzz and the score that's quite exciting, aren't they? Yeah, just clarity of what it is, two games in front of us that we have to prepare well for, starting obviously with Luton, we understand what's on it for them as well as the team, so tough match but yeah, we're pretty calm and ready to go. I'm sure that's what the players want at this stage of the season, to be right in it. Oh yeah, clearly that's what we're here for, isn't it, and particularly with where we've come from this season and I think how we've moved up the league, I think it gives us an even more inspiration to try and get there, we've moved up a lot, so being consistent right to the end is not easy because this league isn't easy, so we know what we need to do. And you kind of get two hits at it, don't you, because hopefully you won't lose tomorrow but if you do it will still be a case of you win your last game, you'll probably make it? Yeah, we've got an understanding of exactly what the situation is, so they'll be two tough games, so we'll see. And obviously Luton, the way you went to Plymouth, were battling for their lives and found that tough, are you expecting the same from Luton? Different style of team, I think Plymouth were a very, very low block, and then tried to counter-attack the goals that were a mistake, one of the reflections of Plymouth, I think we were not at our best and dynamic enough to break the block but I keep seeing, I've seen quite a few times the red card and it's really frustrating, it's one of the biggest red cards I've seen missed on Jamie Allen. And the reason I say my frustration is because we're at a critical stage of the season, those decisions have to be seen and we've had quite a few of those, so that frustrates me. But in terms of the game, Luton will be different in terms of, they're in a similar shape to Plymouth but there's different ways that they perform, how they play, how aggressive they are off the ball in different areas of the pitch, so the players have to be aware of that. That referee actually hasn't shown a red card all season, and I guess you like referees that give players the benefit of the doubt when there is doubt, but obviously they've got to make the decision when there isn't. But it's a really dangerous tackle and you talk about dangerous actions, they're clear reds, and I don't understand how it got missed and I think it's a nil-nil in the game, so we don't lose that game, I think we probably win the game. So that's a big frustration there, it doesn't get seen. I haven't heard anything from the league, it's a clear one, but we never get any feedback. But when you speak about it or you show some emotion, I've got a red card for that. So unfortunately you can't say so much, I'm not trying to speak about it too cut in, because it's just a reality, anyone who sees their staff after the game, it was clear. So it doesn't sound like I'm moaning too much, every manager will have their version of this, but we've had a lot this season, the numbers are skewed against us for whatever reason, and I hope it doesn't continue in the last two games, because we're at a critical ending. It can mean a lot, it means a lot to us, we're trying to get to the playoffs. And there's going to be a lot of emotion and passion in this game, because Luton, I think if they win they will be out of the bottom three going into the final game, so there's going to be so much riding on it. We've both got a lot on it, in our own ways, absolutely. So their last result was a very good one, they're fighting, we understand what that is. And their ground, it's a small compact ground, the crowd kind of on top of you, so the atmosphere is going to play a part, is it? Yeah, yeah, it'll be a strong atmosphere for them, our thousand fans or whatever it'll be, will be strong for us. So it's a good atmosphere to play in. I mean that was one of the notable things at the end of the Plymouth game, was the reaction of the crowd, did that lift the players, obviously they were disappointed with the result, but to see the fans react like that? They lift us all the time, and I think in this run that we've been on over the course of the season, they've been with the players, and that's increased because they've seen the effort and the quality of the players. I was with the fans last night, a lot of them, and you can see how invested they are, how much they support this club, and they're very, very vocal, and it's a great thing for us. And I think nobody was happy with Plymouth because we want results, especially when it's this clear in terms of performance. Performance is secondary to result at the moment, I won't always say that in a way. Result, I suppose result is key, but early in the season you're trying to build performance, at this point we want to win games. So there's disappointment, but the fans showed a great support to the players, so I think it should be a lift for them in reflection. You spent some time with the Bedworth supporters last night, was it a good evening? Yeah, it was a good evening, it was great, it was good to be able to speak openly and honestly, and to feel the fans, their supporters up and down the country, that supporters club in itself supports us in every game, and it's a continuation of what I've felt since I've been here with the fans, they've been absolutely fantastic, they support not just me, it's the players, it's the club, it's their club. So it was great to be amongst it. Yeah, obviously it makes you want to bring success for them? Yeah, I mean that's why I came to the job, I want to try and bring success, and success was always relative where we were, it was like can we start to play better, and make sure we stay in the league, can we move up the league? So there's still a lot of work to do, a lot of fans are all very excited, and I understand that, it's great to be excited, but I understand that we've got two really tough games to try and make the playoffs, and then you start again, it's really tough. So we've got the work to do, but we'll try and do it for the fans. 12.30 kick-off gives you a chance for a little bit of pressure on the other teams around you I guess? Maybe, maybe, I don't know, it's that stage of the season where you can reflect on all those details, I think we just focus on ourselves. Injury-wise, you've got three players, Efron Mason-Clark, Norman Possett, and Bobby Thomas. Efron's out, Norman's out, and Bobby's not playing either. Are you hopeful of getting him back any time soon? Norman's going to be, because he's got a fresh quad injury, it's a low-mid-level one, so we'll have to see how quickly that just recovers. Bobby, we're hopeful, Bobby's progressing really well, so we're hopeful that he'll be involved for Middlesbrough, we hope. Efron probably won't make Middlesbrough. And obviously, you have the usual squad, you were tainted a couple on Monday, you're looking for the players to come in to hit the ground running? Yeah, sure, that's what the squad's there for. We've not got the biggest squad and we've got a lot of injuries, and when I say a lot of injuries, it's not like big, big, big numbers, but it's important players in the team. When you look at Oli and Tolpe, Efron, Bobby, they've started a lot of games for us this season when they're fit, so we have to trust in the players that come in, the players have to come in to add and help us. At this stage, it's the whole point of having a squad, and it's why we need a strong squad in every area across the team. And how important is impact from the bench as well? Perhaps we need to get as much as we want against Plymouth, but you're not the substitute to have an impact? Yeah, I'll put them on if I feel they can make an impact, and Plymouth, to be fair to the lads that come on, it's not an easy game to come in and affect, especially when the result goes 3-1, a low, low block, not many spaces, so if you try and bring on creative players, it's not easy, I know that, so there's no criticism of that, but yeah, they always have to come on with the intention of making an impact, improving us in the time, that's why you make subs when you can. So again, our bench is maybe not similar to a lot of teams around us in the league in terms of depth, potentially, but there's players I trust that can hopefully help us. Of course, the impact, the pressure is on Luton very much as well, and they're at home, can you use that a little bit, maybe to frustrate them and perhaps get a bit of anxiety around the stadium? We just need to play well, if we play well, you might affect the atmosphere, if you don't, you'll increase the atmosphere, so we need to do that. But if you've come off and played badly in 1-1, then you'll be happy? Absolutely, I would be that, but in this league, at this point, it's not easy to play badly and win games because of what's on it, and because Luton are a strong team, whatever their league position, they've got players who played in the Premier League last year, a physical nature, good players in their team, so we have to play better than badly to win the game, and I hope we do that. Thank you. Thanks. So Joel, two games left, you're right in the thick of it, how's everyone pairing up? Yeah, training's been good, the mood's good, we're where we want to be, and the position we have, we've left it in our hands, so we were speaking about it before, looking at how well we've done to get where we are, and just still believing in that and taking that confidence into these last two games, and that belief that we can go and do this. Yeah, you just have to remind yourself that sometimes, because there was a time this season when you thought you were more likely to be in Luton's position than the position you're in now. Yeah, definitely, if you look at the start of the season, and this was offered to us, we'd snatch your hand off for it, so to get to where we've got is massive credit to the squad and everyone involved, and yeah, like you said, just reminding ourselves of that, and attacking these two games now. And there are plenty of teams, plenty of players around the country who are going into training with really nothing to play for, it must be more exciting when you've got that purpose. Yeah, definitely, as players, I'd say all players, you want to be fighting for the top spots, and yeah, it's so much more enjoyable, and like you said, it gives you something to really look forward to and excited about, something you can achieve as a group. Is there a tension and an anxiety there as well that you have to manage? I think there'll always be a tension in big games, and yeah, it's just managing that and making sure that we are the team that we know we are, and yeah, just moving forward. And does that have anything to do with the Plymouth defeat, do you think? I don't think so, no. I just think on the day we got it wrong as a team, and yeah, we had a tough game on Friday, we had all that adrenaline from that result, and then Plymouth fighting to try and stay in the league, so yeah, they did a good job, credit to them. We had to be better, so yeah, we've learned from that, and now it's just about focusing on these last two. They were very frustrating, I guess, to play against, the way they approached it. I know your manager says look for a different style, but you might get the same league end, do you have to try and counter that? Yeah, of course, and it's something we've been working on as a group, something we've spoke about and talked through, so yeah, I'm sure we'll be well prepared for whatever's thrown at us this weekend. And do you spend a lot of time looking at the table and working out the permutations? Me, personally, I don't. Some of the players like to. We all know where we are at the end of the day, and the fact that it's in our hands gives me massive belief that we'll go and get this job done. Pretty much, you do have sort of two stabs at it, don't you? Because if it doesn't work out, hopefully it will, but if it doesn't work out tomorrow, you're still in it when Middlesbrough come to the arena. Yeah, exactly, and we all know how well we play when we're at the CBS, and we've got the whole fan base there. But yeah, like I said, we're not even looking at that game right now, we're looking ahead to Luton, sold out with the away end, so that'll be great. And yeah, hopefully, get the job done and put on a good performance. I know you always do hear them, but you're really well at Luton because the ground's quite compact, isn't it? Yeah, exactly. So yeah, it'll be a good one to play in. Have you ever been involved in anything like this before, John, where you've been sort of in contention for play-offs in the last few games? So my first year at Swansea, we got into the play-offs, but we got into the play-offs quite comfortably. So for me personally, this is my first year of being in the play-offs and trying to stay in there, whereas last year we just missed out. So no, it's exciting, you know, I'm really enjoying it. And it is kind of a new experience for quite a few of you, isn't it? Yeah, definitely. And especially to live this as a new group, staff included, you know? So I think it's great that we're living this together. And, you know, we really believe that we can achieve something. So yeah, just looking forward to these last two games. What are you expecting from Luton? I'm expecting a hard fight. You know, they're trying to stay up as well. I'm expecting, yeah, hard-fought battles, very, you know, almost toxic stadium with their fans. Like you said, it's nice and enclosed. And yeah, it's going to be about second balls, winning first duels, and then just being calm and relaxed when you get the right moment and breakthrough. And I believe with our squad, we've got those players that can do that. Yeah, and your manager was almost reluctant to admit it, but he's at the stage of the season now where he's all about the result. And hopefully you won't play badly, but if you do, it's still about trying to turn up in the game anyway. Yeah, 100%. Like you just said, at this stage of the season, all it is about is the result. So, you know, and we know that as players and that's what we'll be going for this weekend. And personally, back in the side, back in that central defensive position, how are you finding that? Yeah, you know, I love getting the opportunity to play. Obviously, I'd never wish injury on a teammate of mine. Bobby's done really well this season. He's been in, he's been consistent. So, you know, I had to wait my time. I had a couple of chats with the manager about it. And, you know, you've just always got to be ready in football because it can change in an instant. So, yeah, obviously, great to be back on the pitch. Really enjoyed it. So, yeah, just got to keep going now. What sort of things was the manager saying to you when you weren't? Just literally that. Look, you never know when football can change. So just keep training the way you are. Keep training well. And when your time comes, you'll be ready.