Last season, the Sky Blues won 17 of their 23 league games at the CBS Arena on their way to the Championship title and would have wanted it to be the foundation for them again this term.

But those hopes were dealt an early blow when they lost their home league opener against fellow Premier League new boys Hull 1-0 at the end of August.

Coventry then conceded eight goals across home defeats to Brighton and Aston Villa before taking out some frustration on Newcastle in a 4-1 win after the international break.

Saturday’s match against a Fulham side who, like Coventry, started the day in the relegation zone looked like a real opportunity for Lampard’s side on paper, but Fulham always looked to have an edge in quality before Oscar Bobb’s fine goal settled it in the 80th minute.

Struggling Sunderland are up next at the CBS Arena next Saturday, and although it is too early to call it a ‘must win’, Coventry need to show more signs they can compete at this level quickly.