Frank Lampard heaps praise on "really dedicated" Coventry City player after 2025 turnaround | OneFootball

The Sky Blues striker has scored four in his last six games.

Frank Lampard has sung the praises of in-form striker Ellis Simms after the Englishman netted his fourth in six games at the weekend against Sheffield Wednesday.

However, the Coventry City manager admitted that the recent purple patch was down to hard work from the striker, rather than a case of tactical genius from the former Chelsea and Everton boss.

Simms' brace against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday was his first double in almost a year, having last scored twice in one game against Huddersfield in late March.

It also marked his fourth goal in the last six games, after scoring just two in his opening 24 Championship appearances.

His goalscoring pattern follows a similar path to last season, after Simms scored just three goals by the turn of the new year, before scoring 16 more in all competitions - 10 coming in the league - by the end of the campaign.

For Coventry, Simms' goals will be much needed in their ongoing play-off push, and many fans would think they'd have the new manager to thank. However, the Sky Blues manager has denied any praise that comes his way.

Eliss Simms' current form is down to determination according to Frank Lampard

Speaking to Coventry Live, Lampard was quick to praise Simms amid his current run in front of goal.

He said: "He's a really quiet lad so he's really low maintenance [...] but he's also really dedicated and beneath the quiet nature is a determined lad who wants to score the goals and be impressive himself.

"I suppose our job, as staff, is to help him and work with him to bring out those attributes. He doesn't seem fazed by anything but any goal scorer who isn't scoring for months needs to find a way out of it."

When questioned about if Simms' morale worsened during his dry scoring spell, Lampard said: "He doesn't change. I couldn't tell you whether he's happy or down; it's the same sort of face with Ellis.

"He's up and smiling after his goals (against Sheffield Wednesday) but he works away."

Ellis Simms' goals will give Coventry City a boost during run in

For Coventry's play-off aspirations, Simms being in the goals at the right time will give the Sky Blues a huge advantage towards the end of the season.

10 goals in 15 games last season between New Year's Day and their final league win of the season against Leeds United in April helped push Coventry within reach of a second successive play-off finish.

However, many feel that their historic FA Cup run, which saw them knocked out by Manchester United in a semi-final penalty shootout, took too much out of Mark Robins' side, who failed to win any of their last six league games, finishing nine points behind sixth-placed Norwich City as a result.

Over the last 10 games, only Sheffield United (22) and Leeds United (24) have picked up more points than Coventry (20), who have won six of their last seven, with the one defeat coming against the very impressive Leeds side.

The Sky Blues have the wind in their sails as they move towards the final quarter of the league season, and are just one point behind West Brom, who currently occupy the final place in the top six.

Simms' goals are coming at a prime time for his club and, with no FA Cup run to provide a distraction, perhaps his goals may be the boost that Coventry needs to secure a place in the play-offs for a second time in three seasons.