The expectations at both Coventry City and Hull City have shifted dramatically since their first encounter on the season’s first day, but the outcome on Monday stayed the same: a goalless draw. The point at the start of the season at the CBS Arena may have mattered more to the Tigers, who were predicted to be among the relegation contenders before the season, but now, 40 games later, the two are fighting for the top spot, and three points would have been critical for both. In the end, Coventry remained 12 points ahead of third place, while Hull were unable to capitalise on their opportunity to play before Wrexham and Southampton, although they did manage to widen the points gap to four between themselves and the Red Dragons and five for the Saints. But Sergej Jakirovic will be pleased with his team’s performance, as Hull frustrated the free-scoring league leaders, allowing only one shot on goal throughout the game and becoming the first team since Oxford United at the start of February to keep a clean sheet against Frank Lampard’s side. They played to their strengths and took advantage of the MKM Stadium field conditions, something the Sky Blues manager claimed was difficult to adapt to.
Frank Lampard expresses up on the MKM Stadium circumstances.
Hull’s surface at the MKM Stadium is notably more ripped up near the end of the season, as the Tigers share the pitch with Hull FC, a rugby league team that began their season in February. Lampard told Coventry Live that the weather contributed to his team’s uncommon, fragmented attacking performance. “I believe the pitch here is extremely difficult to play on and move the ball well. “When you can’t always have it your way, you keep a clean sheet and get a point at the end of the season,” he remarked, without making excuses. “I think it was a fair point for both teams, and I’m happy with the lads’ approach—I thought they were great.” On that ground, we had to be extremely cautious because if they push you and the ball is bobbling, your first touch is difficult. That is a thing, but they’re used to dealing with it, I suppose.
Menu: Football League World logo. Frank Lampard discusses Hull City issue that affects Coventry City: ‘I’m not trying to make excuses.’ Follow Link was copied to clipboard. By Samuel Armitage, April 7, 2026, 12:30 PM GMT+1. The expectations at both Coventry City and Hull City have shifted dramatically since their first encounter on the season’s first day, but the outcome on Monday stayed the same: a goalless draw. The point at the start of the season at the CBS Arena may have mattered more to the Tigers, who were predicted to be among the relegation contenders before the season, but now, 40 games later, the two are fighting for the top spot, and three points would have been critical for both. In the end, Coventry remained 12 points ahead of third place, while Hull were unable to capitalise on their opportunity to play before Wrexham and Southampton, although they did manage to widen the points gap to four between themselves and the Red Dragons and five for the Saints. But Sergej Jakirovic will be pleased with his team’s performance, as Hull frustrated the free-scoring league leaders, allowing only one shot on goal throughout the game and becoming the first team since Oxford United at the start of February to keep a clean sheet against Frank Lampard’s side. They played to their strengths and took advantage of the MKM Stadium field conditions, something the Sky Blues manager claimed was difficult to adapt to. Frank Lampard expresses up on the MKM Stadium circumstances. Frank Lampard Hull’s surface at the MKM Stadium is notably more ripped up near the end of the season, as the Tigers share the pitch with Hull FC, a rugby league team that began their season in February. Lampard attributed his team’s disjointed attacking performance to the challenging surface conditions, as reported by Coventry Live. “When you can’t always have it your way, you keep a clean sheet and get a point at the end of the season,” he remarked, without making excuses. “I think it was a fair point for both teams, and I’m happy with the lads’ approach—I thought they were great.” On that ground, we had to be extremely cautious because if they push you and the ball is bobbling, your first touch is difficult. That is a thing, but I suppose they are used to dealing with it. Will the condition of the pitches help Coventry City in the Premier League next season? Share your thoughts in the comments! “Bits of it were cutting up…soft, bare.” I walked on it in the end, and it is worse than it appears. Again, I’m not making excuses here because you have to deal with it, and it’s the same for both sides and everything, but if you want to move the ball well, there are a couple surfaces we’ve played on this year that aren’t fantastic.” Lampard will be pleased to have come away with a point and a clean sheet in difficult circumstances against a powerful, fellow top-six side, even if Coventry were unable to expand their advantage to 14 points. Sergej Jakirovic responds to Frank Lampard’s pitch condition criticism.
Ultimately, Hull’s field at the MKM Stadium isn’t the best in the league by a long shot, regardless of the time of year, and it’s one of the few in the Championship that suffers the most from severe weather throughout the winter. Tigers manager Sergej Jakirovic alluded to this when Frank Lampard’s comments were communicated to him in the lighthearted tone that has been expected of the Bosnian in interviews this season.
This is the best pitch condition we’ve seen this spring. Imagine we played four months ago and he went home! He said, “I think the pitch was OK.” Maybe they have a better pitch—100 percent. You’ve been here with me, so you can see from my boys that the passing was quick and sharp, with no technological concerns. But, okay, in the Premier League, they will have better pitches.” Coventry will return to the Premier League in a few weeks, for the first time since the 2000/01 season. Hull will, however, attempt to join them in the Premier League via the play-offs at the end of May. If they do, Frank Lampard may not be the first top-flight manager who has complained about the surface at the MKM Stadium.
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