Robins (18 Viewers)

[pusbccfc]

Look at this starting 11 against Wolves. What’s happened since? No Sheaf is the issue?

Sheaf was absolutely incredible that day.

Milan looked good on the RW too.

It was probably the best performance from any Coventry side in 25 years.

 

---

[covcity4life]

Long time lurker

 

[djr8369]

I don’t look at it quite like that. He’s probably worth 10m now, more without injury problems and he’s our captain. That’s the player we’re missing, not the lad we signed 4 years ago. Take a 10m player out if most championship teams and apart from the ex Prems they’re likely to notice

I still think we should be coping better but said before I reckon that’s as much due to how we’ve set up in games/players roles. If it had been Sheaf and Eccles or Sheaf and Torp I think we’d have had similar issues second half Saturday

ps different teams obviously but when Norwich beat us 3-0 and 2-4 season before last we had both sheaf and hamer in midfield and literally got battered/overrun then as well

Exactly, it’s stupid and meaningless. The implication is we should play players in order of cost to us, not current ability.

26 years ago Ben Sheaf was a baby, yet here we are relying on him after spending 40 m!

 

[wingy]

As with all conspiracy theories you've taken 2+2 and made eleventy billion.

Doug is modernising the club top to bottom, right? He's made an investment and he wants to see a return. With or without Robins at the helm in the first place he'd be doing that, the idea that this is some grand plan to get rid of Robins is ridiculous. He will for sure be trying to make sure that there isn't a dependency on a single person who might leave or drop dead tomorrow though... which is just smart business.*

I don't know that you could expect an owner to do anything else though. Robins is pragmatic and adaptable and has been so during his tenure here - there's very little reason to suggest he won't find a way in this situation either.

Not all significant changes or transitions are easy or comfortable, in fact quite the opposite.

* We can ask a big question here about why that succession planning / contingency doesn't apply to Sheaf though! I think it's fair to say somewhere between Recruitment & Doug they have fucked up on that front, I can't imagine Robins wanted the midfield saga to pan out this way. My assumption is Doug is quite fundamentalist about "the model" and he is going to need to learn to compromise on those ideals because it's more risky not to do that. He's obviously new to football, and I think he / recruitment have dropped a bit of a clanger here. It happens.

Not recieving any thing for Sheaf will have played a part, after all he marketed this summer?

 

[wingy]

I don’t know 100% anymore I thought that then I saw how well he did against us for Blackburn. I think he’s done now though. Regardless we don’t have any players passing on any experience anymore like faz did on the weekend

Not getting a game currently, don't know if injured or Eustace is picking someone else for such reasons as we face ourselves,get them ready for market!

 

[djr8369]

This is in no way a thing btw but just wanted to throw a tinfoil hat conspiracy into the ring

Dougs giving Robins all the rope he needs to hang himself as he wants a younger more progressive manager in place to complete his club overhaul

With all the backroom staff, coaches etc, do we know if Robins actually wants it? Yes he's said openly it brings the club up to scratch off field, but all his success here has been built on backs to the wall and small, close knit staff and players

Again, not saying it is just throwing a chemtrailer into the mix

Somebody suggested things are being set up for Robins to be replaced the other day. Everyone is just seeing what they want and things like this will become a self fulfilling prophecy. Of course MR will leave one day, and if it’s under Kings tenure you can all say “see, he was going to get rid of him all along!”. What is King to do, never hire any staff or make any changes?

Everyone is just grasping on to anything to fulfil their need to have an explanation for something they have an emotional need to have an answer for.

“It’s Adi going!”
“It’s Claire Marie!”
“No, it’s changing too many things at once!”

Fuck me, we’ve had an indifferent start in a very competitive league. There’s no mystery requiring an explanation here.

We are not entitled to win every game and play sensational football because we have spent a bit of money! It doesn’t work like that, certainly not over the short term!

 

[Cov4life]

Interested to hear where people think our recruitment has been poor. A midfielder would have been nice but the only one with a question mark for me is Torp. That’s not a bad hit rate when over the last three windows we’ve added Dovin, Van Ewijk, Thomas, Kitching, Lats, Dasilva, Rudoni, Wright, Simms, Emc, Saka, BTA, Rodrigues. Not many duds there and some huge value for money.

I see where you're coming from with those assessments. Thomas and Kitching have had their moments of inconsistency, so as you can understand why i think the jury is still out on them with the fees we paid. Lati and Da Silva im unsure on. I agree that Wright has been solid, and I’m hopeful he continues that form.

For Rudoni and Emc, it’s still early days, so they deserve some time before we make any firm judgments. As for Simms, I get the doubts, I don’t think he’ll fit in with the way we play as the service is poor, maybe that’ll change once we have Sheaf back. Saka is undeniably talented; hopefully, he regains his confidence soon. BTA is still in the early stages too, good energy but I’m unsure again, and it’s hard to say much about Rodrigues since he hasn’t had a chance to show us what he can do yet. Collins, 3rd choice keeper now. Binks, solid so far.

It’ll be interesting to see how they all develop over the season

But the players can’t be all bad, sometimes, it’s just about finding the right setup or leadership. Remember when Nottingham Forest sacked their manager early in the 2021-2022 season? They were struggling, but once Steve Cooper came in, they turned things around and ended up getting promoted. Maybe we just need the right adjustments to get the best out of this squad. I’m not saying the manager should be replaced, but these things do happen. Then again, Birmingham City changed their manager and look what happened to them. I don’t think that would happen to us with the ability our team have, but it’s something to think about when raising these conversations.

 

[Perennial Lurker]

Somebody suggested things are being set up for Robins to be replaced the other day. Everyone is just seeing what they want and things like this will become a self fulfilling prophecy. Of course MR will leave one day, and if it’s under Kings tenure you can all say “see, he was going to get rid of him all along!”. What is King to do, never hire any staff or make any changes?

Everyone is just grasping on to anything to fulfil their need to have an explanation for something they have an emotional need to have an answer for.

“It’s Adi going!”
“It’s Claire Marie!”
“No, it’s changing too many things at once!”

Fuck me, we’ve had an indifferent start in a very competitive league. There’s no mystery requiring an explanation here.

We are not entitled to win every game and play sensational football because we have spent a bit of money! It doesn’t work like that, certainly not over the short term!

I keep saying how entitled we have become . Some of the stuff posted since the weekend has been absolute nonsense to be honest .
Ask me where I'd rather be - standing on a hill in Northampton watching a side slipping towards football obscurity or now ?
Sometimes a bit more appreciation and patience is needed to fulfil the dream of the promised land

 

[pusbccfc]

I keep saying how entitled we have become . Some of the stuff posted since the weekend has been absolute nonsense to be honest .
Ask me where I'd rather be - standing on a hill in Northampton watching a side slipping towards football obscurity or now ?
Sometimes a bit more appreciation and patience is needed to fulfil the dream of the promised land

Spot on.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Somebody suggested things are being set up for Robins to be replaced the other day. Everyone is just seeing what they want and things like this will become a self fulfilling prophecy. Of course MR will leave one day, and if it’s under Kings tenure you can all say “see, he was going to get rid of him all along!”. What is King to do, never hire any staff or make any changes?

Everyone is just grasping on to anything to fulfil their need to have an explanation for something they have an emotional need to have an answer for.

“It’s Adi going!”
“It’s Claire Marie!”
“No, it’s changing too many things at once!”

Fuck me, we’ve had an indifferent start in a very competitive league. There’s no mystery requiring an explanation here.

We are not entitled to win every game and play sensational football because we have spent a bit of money! It doesn’t work like that, certainly not over the short term!

I didn’t make that suggestion in a negative spirit, to be clear. The club needs to be able to move on as and when he does go, because it would be dangerous to be so dependent on just the manager for success.

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

Robins is notoriously a stubborn man and won’t change his mind on tactics unless forced. We clearly can’t carry on like this because our league form has been awful in 2024 in general.

You Beat Me to It.

 

[djr8369]

I didn’t make that suggestion in a negative spirit, to be clear. The club needs to be able to move on as and when he does go, because it would be dangerous to be so dependent on just the manager for success.

That’s fine and absolutely agree. I could just see a potential of a narrative forming in line with all the anti King stuff which has parallels to some of the other muddled thinking present on the forum since the weekend.

 

[Perennial Lurker]

That’s fine and absolutely agree. I could just see a potential of a narrative forming in line with all the anti King stuff which has parallels to some of the other muddled thinking present on the forum since the weekend.

Most of the anti-King stuff comes from someone's box price being raised and certain privileges being taken away.
He's got one of his young boys he likes to be seen with at games to start an agenda

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

That’s fine and absolutely agree. I could just see a potential of a narrative forming in line with all the anti King stuff which has parallels to some of the other muddled thinking present on the forum since the weekend.

I mean it still confuses me that Viveash was given a 4 year deal and then let go after just one, but that’s my main issue with King so far.

The thought did cross my mind that he’s giving MR zero excuses not to succeed, but again that isn’t a negative. It’s actually what any club should want from the chairman. I can’t believe for a moment that people pine for the days of selling first team players just to have a playable pitch.

 

[Perennial Lurker]

I mean it still confuses me that Viveash was given a 4 year deal and then let go after just one, but that’s my main issue with King so far.

The thought did cross my mind that he’s giving MR zero excuses not to succeed, but again that isn’t a negative. It’s actually what any club should want from the chairman. I can’t believe for a moment that people pine for the days of selling first team players just to have a playable pitch.

Used to be fantastic going to home games and seeing wasps everywhere too.
Doug's made a few mistakes but ,for me ,.he's given the club back an identity

 

[djr8369]

I mean it still confuses me that Viveash was given a 4 year deal and then let go after just one, but that’s my main issue with King so far.

The thought did cross my mind that he’s giving MR zero excuses not to succeed, but again that isn’t a negative. It’s actually what any club should want from the chairman. I can’t believe for a moment that people pine for the days of selling first team players just to have a playable pitch.

At face value that would be an odd decision but just implies something happened that made his position untenable.

 

[wingy]

I see where you're coming from with those assessments. Thomas and Kitching have had their moments of inconsistency, so as you can understand why i think the jury is still out on them with the fees we paid. Lati and Da Silva im unsure on. I agree that Wright has been solid, and I’m hopeful he continues that form.

For Rudoni and Emc, it’s still early days, so they deserve some time before we make any firm judgments. As for Simms, I get the doubts, I don’t think he’ll fit in with the way we play as the service is poor, maybe that’ll change once we have Sheaf back. Saka is undeniably talented; hopefully, he regains his confidence soon. BTA is still in the early stages too, good energy but I’m unsure again, and it’s hard to say much about Rodrigues since he hasn’t had a chance to show us what he can do yet. Collins, 3rd choice keeper now. Binks, solid so far.

It’ll be interesting to see how they all develop over the season

But the players can’t be all bad, sometimes, it’s just about finding the right setup or leadership. Remember when Nottingham Forest sacked their manager early in the 2021-2022 season? They were struggling, but once Steve Cooper came in, they turned things around and ended up getting promoted. Maybe we just need the right adjustments to get the best out of this squad. I’m not saying the manager should be replaced, but these things do happen. Then again, Birmingham City changed their manager and look what happened to them. I don’t think that would happen to us with the ability our team have, but it’s something to think about when raising these conversations.

The longevity of the manager hopefully has a bearing here, virtually a whole new squad last year and this, what effect on squad would a change at the top have, can be detrimental, can be a positive!

 

[biggymania]

Not recieving any thing for Sheaf will have played a part, after all he marketed this summer?

For Sheaf? Maybe - I had a suspicion mid-way through the summer that perhaps nothing else was going to happen until a big player moved and I felt Sheaf was at the apex of his valuation with us. The model we have would be to presumably aim to sell at that apex, for any/all players.

That said, that was proven wrong because we went out and signed BTA and Norman, so it's clear we had cash / found it. I think this is just a balls up between recruiting and Doug - it's fairly clear from multiple sources that we had considered multiple midfielders that didn't fit the type of player Doug seems to want to pay for. I am certain, with the benefit of hindsight looking at the performances so far, Sheaf's injury and prior record - that compromising on these ideals was the right trade off. We didn't make that trade off. I imagine those involved are feeling that and I imagine we'll move to rectify it in the next window if not before.

EDIT: I should add that actually we don't know they didn't make the trade off - we just know for sure that we weren't successful in signing anyone. These are not the same. Again - multiple sources suggest we were in for multiple players and some just perhaps didn't come off despite best intentions. That we didn't loosen up more budget or compromise on the profile earlier I think might just be the mistake we don't want to repeat.

 

[shmmeee]

Exactly, it’s stupid and meaningless. The implication is we should play players in order of cost to us, not current ability.

26 years ago Ben Sheaf was a baby, yet here we are relying on him after spending 40 m!

No the implication is after £45m spend your squad should be resistant to the injury of one player.

 

[COVKIDSNEVERQUIT]

This was the team against Wolves last season: -

Collins
Latibeaudiere - Thomas - Kitching - Bidwell
Sheaf - Eccles
MVE - Palmer - Wright
Simms

That was probably one of the best performances I've ever seen from a City side. The side we put out yesterday is startlingly similar, apart from the fact both Thomas and Kitching have been dropped, Sakamoto was available, MVE could play at RB, Rudoni has replaced Palmer/O'hare, and Sheaf is unavailable. Clearly no issues with personnel at the moment, except for Sheaf's absence. More quality depth in the squad as well to bring on. This must be tactical, or the players are just slow to get up to speed with the pace of the Championship each season. Haji made an interesting comment in a recent interview, where he said it takes a few games to get going in the Championship, and form comes with the quick turn around and shear amount of games.

Replace Dovin for Collins.

Rudoni for Eccles.

Torp for Palmer.

I think we Could be on a Winner.

 

[pusbccfc]

No the implication is after £45m spend your squad should be resistant to the injury of one player.

We've played 6 games, won 3, drawn 1 and lost 2.

It's not like we've not won in 6 games.

 

[shmmeee]

We've played 6 games, won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1.

It's not like we've not won in 6 games.

But we’ve been shit and the general response had been “no worries cos Sheaf coming back will change that”

 

[HuckerbyDublinWhelan]

I keep saying how entitled we have become . Some of the stuff posted since the weekend has been absolute nonsense to be honest .
Ask me where I'd rather be - standing on a hill in Northampton watching a side slipping towards football obscurity or now ?
Sometimes a bit more appreciation and patience is needed to fulfil the dream of the promised land

Problem is that this feels like a bit of a watershed - next year for instance if we sell Van Ewijk, Wright and Sheaf and spend the money.

when we inevitably start slow again - are we going back to use the excuse “the team needs time to gel”

We appreciate where we were - it doesn’t mean we have to sit here and act like we’re still on a. Northampton hill. Expectations rightfully go up with fan backing and investment in the team

 

[djr8369]

No the implication is after £45m spend your squad should be resistant to the injury of one player.

That’s not the implication as the OP highlighted that he “only cost x 4 years ago” as if that rescues his current impact.

Regardless, why should it? He’s one of our most important players. It’s not like all the money was spent to cover his position. Funnily enough it was spent improving other parts of the pitch.

 

[pusbccfc]

But we’ve been shit and the general response had been “no worries cos Sheaf coming back will change that”

We've not been as bad as people are making out.

Not even remotely close to how bad it was a giant Cardiff and Rotherham during the early parts of last season.

 

[Cally Fedora]

No the implication is after £45m spend your squad should be resistant to the injury of one player.

It’s a ridiculous point. Firstly, it’s patently obvious we tried to sign a midfielder in the Sheaf mode. We couldn’t get one. I’m not sure why that’s quite so difficult to comprehend. And secondly we’ve had to invest elsewhere and have done. Thirdly, we’re not dependent on Sheaf, we’re just better with him.

 

[CCFCSteve]

No the implication is after £45m spend your squad should be resistant to the injury of one player.

He’s an important player though and the 45m has been spent trying to rebuild a whole squad. The best players will still always be missed. We were very lucky Gyokeres was hardly out during our run to the play offs in the second half of 22/23 season, same with Hamer. Either probably would’ve derailed it

I’m with you though, Sheafs return alone probably wouldn’t solve all the issues. Getting the/a system to click is the main thing. We’ve got some good players and better depth across the squad as whole. Now for management/coaches to make it work

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

This is in no way a thing btw but just wanted to throw a tinfoil hat conspiracy into the ring

Dougs giving Robins all the rope he needs to hang himself as he wants a younger more progressive manager in place to complete his club overhaul

With all the backroom staff, coaches etc, do we know if Robins actually wants it? Yes he's said openly it brings the club up to scratch off field, but all his success here has been built on backs to the wall and small, close knit staff and players

Again, not saying it is just throwing a chemtrailer into the mix

Doug has given Robins the resources to do the job and it’s up to him to get the results and if he doesn’t, we may need to find a new manager. The aforementioned sentence means exactly the same as ‘giving Robins the rope to hang himself’. DK’s first action was to give MR & AV extended contracts when there was no real need to. So there’s definitely an element of tinfoil hat-ism. It’s not like the Ten Haag situation where Ineos actively courted potential successors.

MR has so much credit in the bank, it would take a disaster for us to contemplate sacking him. If we missed playoffs this season, it would be very disappointing and certainly pressures MR to deliver in 2025/26.

The imbalances in the squad need to be addressed asap, it’s inconceivable to me that we went this transfer window without signing a CM. I understand we missed on (at least) 3 CM but even a Ayari-esque loan would have at least demonstrated we were looking. In a few months, we will be saying the recruitment has been good but failed to identify targets for positions of need.

 

[Cov4life]

We've not been as bad as people are making out.

Not even remotely close to how bad it was a giant Cardiff and Rotherham during the early parts of last season.

I don’t remember the last time we played well? I think it’s really important to getting back to playing good football, not only for the players, but if this type of football continues then the attendances drop, and the poor atmosphere we currently have continues, and it just keeps spiralling. I’m sure robins said on the weekend it’s important to play good football to entertain the crowds. There was a buzz around the club before the season started, I can’t say that buzz is there anymore for myself and a lot of other people I speak to.

Im hoping things start to turn imminently.

 

[quinn1971]

But we’ve been shit and the general response had been “no worries cos Sheaf coming back will change that”

He did when he came on for those 20 mins, got us up the pitch quicker and we were playing a bit higher, just a bit worrying when he is coming back ?

 

[wingy]

Smells like a play for an enhanced contract if you were a conspicist !

 

[robbiethemole]

We've played 6 games, won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1.

It's not like we've not won in 6 games.

Lost 2

 

[Ring Of Steel]

I don’t remember the last time we played well?

don’t you remember the Oxford match?

we’ve played well in patches, excellent at some points, but really badly in big chunks, during which time the opposition have scored.

It’s not all black or white you know, it’s not that we’re either garbage or amazing.

for all the whining and posturing about midfielders, one issue has been that when we’re not playing well we concede, when we’re playing well we don’t score. If Sims had scored v Norwich the whole game changes.

it’s not just about the midfield, and we haven’t been crap all season, we just haven’t been able to maintain any kind of momentum in matches, and have failed to take chances.

 

[djr8369]

It’s a ridiculous point. Firstly, it’s patently obvious we tried to sign a midfielder in the Sheaf mode. We couldn’t get one. I’m not sure why that’s quite so difficult to comprehend. And secondly we’ve had to invest elsewhere and have done. Thirdly, we’re not dependent on Sheaf, we’re just better with him.

Worth bearing in mind, as someone reminded me, Torp was injured in preseason. He was visibly exhausted last 60 mins on Saturday, which didn’t help.

 

[quinn1971]

I don’t remember the last time we played well? I think it’s really important to getting back to playing good football, not only for the players, but if this type of football continues then the attendances drop, and the poor atmosphere we currently have continues, and it just keeps spiralling. I’m sure robins said on the weekend it’s important to play good football to entertain the crowds. There was a buzz around the club before the season started, I can’t say that buzz is there anymore for myself and a lot of other people I speak to.

Im hoping things start to turn imminently.

Thought the Oxford atmosphere was brilliant, sat was a bit flat which was prob down to the early kick off and the level of alcohol consumed,