Mark Robins will be concerned about his team’s current form, since they have not won in five games, including four consecutive defeats. They’re allowing goals for the sake of it, and they’re blowing major chances. Needless to say, this is hardly the ideal mix.
After reaching the play-off finals last season, there was optimism this summer that they may do it again.
In normal conditions, you’d be wondering whether the Sky Blues should change managers, given that they’re 10 points out of the top six.
Normal circumstances, however, do not apply when discussing Robins and Coventry.
This is the man who was with the club during its lowest point. Division Two. Premier League. Saint Andrew’s.
Robins has seen it all with Coventry, and it is his inspiring leadership that has restored pride to a legendary old club that was on its knees and headed nowhere.
So, while they should be performing better right now, Robins has more than enough credit in the bank to see them through.
Furthermore, it’s not as if he doesn’t have valid grounds to justify his terrible start.
The sales of Gustavo Hamer and Viktor Gyokeres were required owing to their contracts, but it did not alleviate the pain of losing the tandem.
Hamer was a standout midfielder in the league, with his driving runs, goals, and persistence vital to Coventry’s success.
Gyokeres’ goal tally speaks for itself, and the fact that he is currently with Sporting CP in Portugal tells it all. These are two excellent players who will be sorely missed.
To be fair, new owner Doug King let Robins spend the money he brought in, and it’s disappointing that players like Haji Wright and Ellis Simms haven’t reached the heights anticipated of them in the first few months.
However, transfers are never easy, and you must be patient while they adjust to their new surroundings.
Then there’s the absence of Callum O’Hare, who has just recently returned from a devastating knee injury.
When you consider the pain of the penalty shootout defeat at Wembley, it’s only fair to give everyone associated with the team some leeway.
That isn’t to say Robins hasn’t made mistakes this season; he has. Similarly, the players should not be spared criticism, since far too many have made individual mistakes that should not have occurred at this level.
However, the campaign is only 15 games old. If the Sky Blues are still hanging precariously above the relegation zone in March, major questions may be raised.
For the time being, Coventry must accept that they are paying the price for a frenetic summer.
Robins, on the other hand, has a manager who has repeatedly brought success in much worse times, so they must believe he can do it again.
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