Championship leaders Coventry City signed Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka on loan until the end of the season on deadline day, beating Birmingham City to the deal.

Coventry was the fastest team out of the blocks in the first half of the season, but their lead at the top of the table has been trimmed by Middlesbrough, with the two clubs separated by just one goal difference at 58 points.

A run of just three wins in nine has resulted in a complete loss of their lead at the top of the league, but Sky Blues fans still have reason to be positive.

After signing Min-Hyeok Yang on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, Romain Esse on loan from Crystal Palace, and Jahnoah Markelo on a permanent basis from Swiss club FC Zurich, Frank Lampard’s team sealed a last-minute deal for Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka.

The Nigerian, who had been actively courted by division rivals Birmingham City, has signed on loan until the end of the season, with the transfer becoming permanent if Coventry are promoted to the Premier League.

Coventry City beat Birmingham City to the signing of Frank Onyeka on loan from Brentford this summer.

Chris Deez, a Coventry fan analyst for Football League World, has offered his opinions on Onyeka’s acquisition and whether the Nigerian can make an impact in the Sky Blues’ midfield.

Despite the favorable sentiments surrounding the addition, Deez has questioned whether owner Doug King could have completed the transfer before the deadline to help Frank Lampard out on the pitch.

Chris told FLW: “I believe the vast majority of Coventry fans would agree that it was a very terrible transfer window for us, just as it was in the summer. But we’re clearly overjoyed to have gotten Frank Onyeka over the line; it’s a shame it took so long.”For the previous few weeks, it was clear that it was going to come down to money, and Doug King was bargaining for every penny he could get. But what matters is that we have our man.”I feel a little awful for him because it’s fantastic that everyone’s going to support him and everyone’s glad that he’s here, and we’ve been excited to get the deal done, but there’s a lot of pressure on him right now.”The fact that he’s the only actual player who’s come in to fill that midfield vacuum and help with all of our defensive concerns is a huge, daunting responsibility for one individual.”I’ve watched a lot of hype films about how good he was at AFCON and what he’s done for Brentford in the Premier League. Don’t get me wrong, it’s excellent that he has Premier League experience, but I’ve heard both sides of the story from Brentford supporters.”Some have commented on how terrific he is and how hard he works. Some have compared him as a headless chicken, running all over the place. But, to be honest, I believe we need a little of that. We need a headless chicken so Grimes can just be Matt Grimes again.”He can be the engine room, the dictator, or the one who controls the flow of the game, as we’ve come to expect. It allows him to sit back and play in his natural role, which he hasn’t done since the beginning, perhaps the middle of November.”We clearly needed greater assistance in other areas as well. We needed something in defense, but it is what it is; we are where we are, and all we have to do is get behind the squad and Onyeka.”Hopefully he can make a difference. I think he’ll make a significant difference. I’m not sure if it will make a significant effect.”

Frank Onyeka has the capacity to make the difference for Frank Lampard in the Coventry City midfield.

By all accounts, Onyeka’s arrival could be crucial for Coventry, who have been without a physical presence in the center of the park since Ben Sheaf left for Wrexham in the summer.

Matt Grimes has played practically every minute at the base of Lampard’s midfield this season, but neither Victor Torp, Josh Eccles, nor Jamie Allen have been able to secure a spot next to the former Swansea City player.

Onyeka, who has only played six top-flight games this season under Keith Andrews, provides a powerful presence in the middle of the park that Coventry has badly lacked, particularly in recent weeks.

Onyeka, who has 41 caps for Nigeria and was a regular for the Super Eagles at the most recent AFCON, has the potential to be a game changer for Coventry, with his ability to break up play and allow midfield partner Grimes to influence the game.

Coventry will be eager to put their most recent dip in form behind them, and Onyeka, at 28, might be the difference between promotion and relegation.