Frank Lampard delivers blunt verdict on Oxford United after Coventry clash

Frank Lampard felt Will Lankshear’s late dismissal was fully justified after Coventry City were forced to settle for a goalless draw with Oxford United at the CBS Arena.

The Oxford forward was sent off in the 77th minute after picking up a second yellow card for a challenge on Sky Blues centre-back Joel Latibeaudiere, leaving the visitors to see out the closing stages with 10 men.

Despite controlling large spells of the contest, Coventry were unable to find a breakthrough, with Haji Wright and substitute Ellis Simms among those to spurn opportunities as Oxford defended resolutely to claim a valuable point.

“There’s a clear red card, second yellow,” Lampard said after the game.

“Clear, everybody knows. Their bench know as well because they jumped up like you do when you know it’s one and you try to make light of it.”

Coventry had earlier appealed for another Oxford dismissal when Ciaron Brown, already on a booking, brought down Wright close to the visitors’ penalty area.

“Absolutely,” Lampard responded when asked whether Oxford should have been reduced to 10 men earlier.

“They should’ve had 10 men quite a bit earlier in the game, and then they would’ve had nine men at the end because the red was definitely a red.

“It was a game that we should’ve won.

“If you play that game another 10 times, we win pretty much every one of them. But it didn’t happen, so we have to go again.”

The draw means Oxford have now taken a point from both meetings with Championship leaders Coventry this season. Back in August, Gary Rowett’s side earned a 2-2 draw at the Kassam Stadium.

Under current boss Matt Bloomfield, United have collected six points from six matches, with one win, three draws and two defeats.

Lampard believes Oxford have what it takes to avoid relegation.

“Of course they’ve got a chance to stay up,” he said.

“They’re a very difficult team to play against. I thought that under Gary Rowett as well, but now they set up with a back five and have a real threat in transition.

“All of our jobs are tough. We’re trying to get promoted and they’re trying to stay in the league — it’s all relative.

“They’re a tough team to play against, there’s no doubt.”

Oxford now turn their attention to a busy week, starting with a home league fixture against Norwich City before hosting Premier League side Sunderland in the FA Cup fourth round.