Coventry City boss Frank Lampard has urged the club’s supporters to only worry about their own game when they host Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship on Saturday (12:30 BST).
If Millwall fails to win at West Bromwich Albion on Friday (20:00 BST) then Coventry will know that victory will mean Middlesbrough must beat Portsmouth at the Riverside at 15:00 BST to prevent the Sky Blues from celebrating automatic promotion this weekend.
Asked for a message to supporters, Lampard told BBC CWR: “Just worry about us.”
“I know they wouldn’t do it, but we know what we need to do, and thankfully we’re in that position (rather than) if it was nip and tuck and the last day of the season. We’re not, so just worry about us.
“The message for our fans, our players and myself to understand is that this game is not going to happen for us just because of their league position, but if we can do our jobs, we can make the game feel the way we want it to.”
Wednesday became the first team in EFL history to be relegated in early February, having won only one league game in a season struggling with financial and ownership issues, and Lampard expressed sympathy at their situation.
“I felt it in their games at the beginning of the season, when they were right in the middle of their problems and they continue. But you can feel it in the stadium, and their fans were good that day.
“I grew up at a time when Sheffield Wednesday were a top team in Division One and the Premier League, so it’s not nice to see the situation they’re in, but I think the fans, players and staff have come out of it with credit. And they’ll be back, because it’s a big club, so I obviously feel for them.”
Listen to more Coventry City interviews and content on BBC Sounds.
<a href=