​[Getty Images]Coventry’s previous outing in the Premier League was a goalless draw against Bradford City on 19 May 2001.That result brought to an end not only a disappointing 2000-01 campaign, but also a 34-year top-flight stay.Coventry spent the next 11 years in the Championship before dropping down to League One in 2011-12. They also spent a season in League Two before promotion back in 2016-17.They returned to the Championship in 2020 as League One champions and six years later, they are back among English football’s finest.Their journey since relegation in 2001 has been rarely straightforward as Coventry were forced to leave their historic home at Highfield Road, endured ownership disputes and spent spells playing home games in Northampton and Birmingham.Their return – the longest gap between games by a side in Premier League history – and first assignment was chastening and a reminder that survival will be no easy task.But Lampard remained optimistic after the opening 3-0 defeat at champions Arsenal, saying: “It’s hard. Leeds United came here early last season and lost 5-0 and stayed in the Premier League.”I’m not making any early judgements. We will have to acclimatise.”