Lampard: Mason-Clark’s Far-Post Scoring Prowess Challenging to Impart

Coventry City head coach Frank Lampard, renowned during his playing career for his ability to arrive in the six-yard box and net crucial goals, acknowledged that the skill demonstrated by Ephron Mason-Clark in scoring Coventry’s equaliser against Hull City, by stretching fully at the far post, is not consistently simple to impart. The winger for the Sky Blues, who both scored the initial goal and assisted the second during Saturday’s 2-1 home victory against Hull City, has contributed three of the five goals scored across Lampard’s initial four matches at the helm, prompting his coach to express considerable appreciation for Mason-Clark’s seizing of this opportunity. Speaking to BBC CWR, Lampard stated: “To get him arriving in the six-yard box like he does, I’ve worked with some wingers and it can take a lot of time. But he’s done that for all his goals so far. The ball hit him on the face but it doesn’t matter how they go in. It was reward for him getting there. It sounds simple but not too many can do it. And his assist for Jack Rudoni’s winning goal was top level. That was even more impressive. It’s been a great start for him in our time here.” Mason-Clark informed BBC CWR: “It’s something I’ve been working on. To always be getting in at the back stick. I’m not sure exactly what it went in off. My nose, my eye, everything. I’m just glad it went in.” Mason-Clark may potentially need to shift from his current wide left role once Haji Wright regains fitness. The United States international has not yet featured under Lampard, having been absent from Coventry’s last six matches due to an ankle injury. Nevertheless, this presents a welcome challenge for Lampard in the future, as he has seen his decision to select the former Barnet and Peterborough United player from his inaugural game in charge yield positive results. Lampard further commented: “He’s a talented lad. And I was aware of those talents before I came in. He’s also humble and wants to work. All I’ve done is give him the opportunity and a bit of information – but not loads. The rest is down to him. He has to take the credit. He’s been on form since we came in and I’m sure there’s plenty more to come.” The 25-year-old Londoner remarked: “I like to play off the cuff. It comes from growing up playing in the street cages. I like that kind of pressure, especially with the gaffer coming in and expecting it from me. He’s done something for everybody since he came in. We’ve all had a fresh start. Every training session has been good to learn from.” Now positioned 15th in the Championship standings, with a seven-point buffer from the relegation zone and 10 points separating them from the play-off positions, Lampard’s Coventry team will travel next Saturday for his fifth match as manager, facing Portsmouth, another club currently in the bottom three. Frank Lampard and Ephron Mason-Clark provided these comments to BBC CWR’s Clive Eakin.