Viveash point made, transfers questioned, genuine 'worry' - Coventry City slump verdict delivered
This is not how it was supposed to be for the Sky Blues and Mark Robins. A busy summer revamping the playing squad and backroom team was aimed to take Coventry City closer to a return to the Premier League. Instead, the only return on the cards right now could be to League One.
The Sky Blues have been slow starters over the past two seasons, yet still claimed trips to Wembley for the play-off final in May 2023 and then for an FA Cup semi-final last season. This time, though, it seems different. And a thumping defeat at Leeds on Saturday seemed to sum up most of the issues facing the team - lack of fight, lack of leadership, no balance and a midfield that is missing the grit and creativity needed to thrive in the second tier.
Supporters concerned by their team’s plight have been debating the issues facing the Sky Blues, and some of them have hit upon what they consider a key factor - the departure of Adi Viveash as assistant boss in the summer.
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The news came as a bombshell when the announcement was made on the first day of pre-season training, and supporters have been debating whether the drastic change to the Coventry backroom team is a factor in the club’s struggles.
Here is a taste of what they have been saying...
Baskers: I am genuinely worried. Where is the creativity, where are the teeth in midfield. I kept thinking the next signing would fit the bill, but each signing was a forward. Exciting as that may be, the whole balance is wrong, but it's the lack of fight and belief that worries me most. The Leeds manager summed it up - he was impressed that his goalkeeper could keep awake through the game
Music man: We need a captain with balls, which we haven't got
670429: MR needs to go. His time is up. Forget the good old days. We need to think of the future. I think he has lost the dressing room. Agree about coaches - too top heavy. Before we had AV, DL and a couple of assistants doing the training. Now, there are too many. Unless we get a result against Blackburn, I think MR is gone.
Skyblueseas: Leeds away was always going to be tough, but the players need to take responsibility for their dismal performances on field. If we get 4 to 6 points out of the next two games, different atmosphere.
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Clary Borton: Go 4-4-2. Drop Simms. Get a keeper who actually makes the more difficult saves. Don't play players out of position. Watch how other teams play the ball far more quickly. Play the long ball when it's on. Motivate these players.
Skyblueb: I said this before the season started - Sheaf is no captain as he is too nice. You need a captain that can be vocal and fearsome. No fighters in the team, other than Kitching. The team is out of shape so go back to basics of defenders told to defend, midfielders who want to battle as a foremost criteria, and a centre forward who works for a second striker as well as himself. Robins needs to pick players in the right positions and then they will be comfortable and confident to play to their abilities.
Cwajj: Sack the four coaches, get Adi back. Four people are not needed to do a job one person did very well. But it still comes back to bad decisions in the transfer window. Act now or it will be too late
WakeySkyBlues: I think of all the players we are missing, it is Fadz and Kelly that we need now. Others will say we miss Gyökeres, Hamer and O’Hare, which of course we do, but a bit of old fashioned leadership and grit is priceless in the modern game. I also believe the players are missing Adi, and his influence has been undervalued by the club. Whatever happened for him to leave, it should be resolved to get him back. Anyhow, we have a new sporting director and lots of coaches so I’m sure they will sort it out.
Cov68: We’ve changed the coaching staff, and not for the better it seems. Somebody should be holding their hands up, and I don’t think it is down to Mark Robins.