What needs to change? (3 Viewers)

[Fusilier]

Another poor performance and poor result. The team looks badly organised both in an out of possession and people need to be accountable for this.

What do the members of this forum think needs to change to improve the performances and results?

- Should the team play possession based tactics or a counter attacking tactics?
- What formation should be used? 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2?
- Does Robins need an Assistant Manager?
- Does there need to be a change to the coaching set up?
- Should Dean Austin be replaced as Head of Recruitment?
- Should the Manager be replaced? If so, who should replace him?

I think the team would be most effective in a 4-2-3-1 formation and with possession based tactics and a high press.
A new Assistant Manager could help Robins and the coaches as Rhys Carr is the only coach at the club that has previous experience of coaching at senior level in the Championship. Delaney, Boateng and Dempster were all Academy coaches.
Dean Austin has made several errors with squad planning and recruitment and his position should be reviewed by Robins and King.
It seems that Robins has been badly let down by Austin who has spent circa. £18m on 4 strikers (Simms, Wright, Thomas-Asante and Bassette) during the last 2 summer transfer windows and the squad is unbalanced and lacks strength on depth in several positions such as centre midfield, number 10, right wing and right back.

In my opinion, Robins should be given until the next international break to improve results.
This will be games against QPR (A), Luton (H), Middlesbrough (A), Derby (H) and Sunderland (A).
A minimum of 8 points from these 5 games should be the target.

If there is a change of manager, the following are likely to be decent candidates

Frank Lampard - Unemployed
Liam Rosenior - Strasbourg
Luke Williams - Swansea
John Eustace - Blackburn
Lee Carsley - England U21

 

---

[SeaSeeEffCee]

About 20 members of the squad but unfortunately we can’t do that

 

[bigfatronssba]

Effort needs to change.

MR needs to tell them that anyone not showing 100% effort will be dropped permanently. King needs to back him and tell said player that he will make them see out their contracts on the bench so that the only clubs that will want them are League 2 teams

 

[sixfoursix]

The first thing we need to do is find a settled team and not keep chopping and changing hoping for the best like we do at the start of every season under the current management

 

[blunted]

We are stuck with this squad until January. We need someone in the club to change the midfield dynamic. Unsure if we have anyone but need to experiment in training.

 

[skybluecb]

442 - Dovan MVE Thomas Binks De Silva - Saka Sheaf Eccles Wright - Bassette BTA No place for Rudoni

 

[Macca]

Half the team

 

[Terry Gibson's perm]

Half the team

Which half though we would probably replace the wrong half.

 

[pusbccfc]

We need to go more direct. We still seem to be trying to play the ball around the back despite the fact Thomas and Kitching always moments away from a howling and despite the fact we have 4 strikers who are physically imposing and better in behind.

It seems remarkable that we aren't hitting the ball into the channels for any of the four strikers to run on to. It worked so well for us with Vik and worked well when we did it for Haji and Simms last season. Asante and Bassette will run all day.

With such a poor midfield, there's no point trying to overplay things. We don't have the movement of Palmer and O'Hare in the gaps to play the current style of football.

 

[chickentikkamasala]

We need to go more direct. We still seem to be trying to play the ball around the back despite the fact Thomas and Kitching always moments away from a howling and despite the fact we have 4 strikers who are physically imposing and better in behind.

It seems remarkable that we aren't hitting the ball into the channels for any of the four strikers to run on to. It worked so well for us with Vik and worked well when we did it for Haji and Simms last season. Asante and Bassette will run all day.

With such a poor midfield, there's no point trying to overplay things. We don't have the movement of Palmer and O'Hare in the gaps to play the current style of football.

Exactly the issue!

3 minutes into added time we start playing from the back and passing sideways across the pitch, no forward movement, no urgency.

You would have thought we were winning 0-1and playing for time

Sideways Sammy was ahead of the times!

 

[ptr]

Motivation.

Where’s the Milan from last year? Tats? Wright and Simms? Can write players like that off all you want but they are decent players…end of.

Motivation isn’t there atm.

Oh….and were shit at defending.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Alright let’s give this a shot.

Firstly I would play a 5-3-2 possession based style where we can change it to a 5-2-3 and a 5-2-1-2 depending on the team we are against.

I think playing sheaf as a DM would be my first thought allowing Jack and Josh to play as two 8s.

On the assistant question, I think it’s more Robins needs stronger characters loyal to get his messages out. He’s also come across as quite quiet imo and think he was bolstered by Adi and players like Faz. Tbh I would have loved Doyle to come back as an Assistant mostly for this.

On the coaching, very hard to know without seeing more of it and the dynamics but sure the performance director will keep a close eye on this.

On Dean, I would honestly say no. Think most are decent young players. But young players have the flaw that they don’t have much experience and are still growing and developing maturity. Feel like the recruitment needs to be less rigid and make sure that there is an experienced group of players in and around the first time at all times to act as mentors.

On the last note, think no matter who anyone puts here it’ll be mocked just due to how much Mark is ingrained in the role but if it was me: I would look at Luke Williams, Dave Challinor or Ian Evatt.

All three are young managers with distinct tactical beliefs with time could forge a dynamic attacking team imo and if we move from Robins, it’s vital that the team builds a tactical identity

 

[oscillatewildly]

It's a limp home across the line (with a preferred formation of fingers crossed) for me - and then a big ring of changes in the summer.
Yes - I am an optimist.

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

Still think 4-4-2 should be given a go, but I agree with the original poster that Dean Austin’s position should be looked at. Robins gets a lot of stick and rightly so sometimes but the recruitment has been pretty poor, particularly this season, so I think Austin has a lot of questions to answer for.

 

[TomRad85]

Still think 4-4-2 should be given a go, but I agree with the original poster that Dean Austin’s position should be looked at. Robins gets a lot of stick and rightly so sometimes but the recruitment has been pretty poor, particularly this season, so I think Austin has a lot of questions to answer for.

People were pretty happy with Austin last summer. As for this season it seems Rudoni was a long term target, BTA we'd been looking at for years so that's probably Robins, Bassette most likely an Austin... again seems like excuses to me. The squad is lacking in some areas but its not that bad.

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

The captaincy.

 

[BlueSkiesForever]

People were pretty happy with Austin last summer. As for this season it seems Rudoni was a long term target, BTA we'd been looking at for years so that's probably Robins, Bassette most likely an Austin... again seems like excuses to me. The squad is lacking in some areas but its not that bad.

Yeah I know what you mean but I just don’t think the recruitment has been stunning when you consider we’ve spent £40+ mil.

There’s probably a whole multitude of factors as to why we’ve been playing shit but I can’t help but think some of our recruits haven’t been as good as we expected and that’s either due to coaching or recruitment, I’m not sure we can know which is to blame tbh.

 

[covboy9]

Robins stop groping around for new formations an making 5 changes a game just ridiculous

pick a team play on the front foot and stick with it

also send Ellis simms to reserves hopeless but more sadly gutless, I’d have scored that header fucking criminal miss

 

[Sick Boy]

Robins stop groping around for new formations an making 5 changes a game just ridiculous

pick a team play on the front foot and stick with it

also send Ellis simms to reserves hopeless but more sadly gutless, I’d have scored that header fucking criminal miss

And replace him with who? A 19 year old who missed an even easier chance and who hasn’t scored for us yet?

 

[skyblue_55]

Did any of us think that we would be in this mess & now it’s the blame game .
Recruiting….. is Austin at fault , or is it Robins informing him of his “wants “ ?
The new doctor / sleeping coach , whatever title , seems to be unable to wake them up pre game .
Doug , trying to get us to the prem too quickly & his jealousy of other teams & lack of knowledge about football & interfering into the squad ?
The wasted money , as we now see week in week out , with players as lost as we fans are , as to what pattern of play they are trying .
The sub standard coaches !
The total lack of decent leader(s) within the squad ( midfield especially ) , but we bought another striker !!!
Etc etc

 

[Sick Boy]

The King ‘model’ needs to be much less rigid and the younger players he’s looking to sell on for a profit need to be complemented by experienced players.

 

[Major Tom]

The King ‘model’ needs to be much less rigid and the younger players he’s looking to sell on for a profit need to be complemented by experienced players.

Agree , its a big punt hoping that he can turn so many league one plays around for a profit

 

[Potbellypig]

Another poor performance and poor result. The team looks badly organised both in an out of possession and people need to be accountable for this.

What do the members of this forum think needs to change to improve the performances and results?

- Should the team play possession based tactics or a counter attacking tactics?
- What formation should be used? 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2?
- Does Robins need an Assistant Manager?
- Does there need to be a change to the coaching set up?
- Should Dean Austin be replaced as Head of Recruitment?
- Should the Manager be replaced? If so, who should replace him?

I think the team would be most effective in a 4-2-3-1 formation and with possession based tactics and a high press.
A new Assistant Manager could help Robins and the coaches as Rhys Carr is the only coach at the club that has previous experience of coaching at senior level in the Championship. Delaney, Boateng and Dempster were all Academy coaches.
Dean Austin has made several errors with squad planning and recruitment and his position should be reviewed by Robins and King.
It seems that Robins has been badly let down by Austin who has spent circa. £18m on 4 strikers (Simms, Wright, Thomas-Asante and Bassette) during the last 2 summer transfer windows and the squad is unbalanced and lacks strength on depth in several positions such as centre midfield, number 10, right wing and right back.

In my opinion, Robins should be given until the next international break to improve results.
This will be games against QPR (A), Luton (H), Middlesbrough (A), Derby (H) and Sunderland (A).
A minimum of 8 points from these 5 games should be the target.

If there is a change of manager, the following are likely to be decent candidates

Frank Lampard - Unemployed
Liam Rosenior - Strasbourg
Luke Williams - Swansea
John Eustace - Blackburn
Lee Carsley - England U21

Absolutely no chance that any of those managers coming anywhere near us. How deluded do you need to be to think Eustace would leave Blackburn for us.

 

[standupforcity]

Another poor performance and poor result. The team looks badly organised both in an out of possession and people need to be accountable for this.

What do the members of this forum think needs to change to improve the performances and results?

- Should the team play possession based tactics or a counter attacking tactics?
- What formation should be used? 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2?
- Does Robins need an Assistant Manager?
- Does there need to be a change to the coaching set up?
- Should Dean Austin be replaced as Head of Recruitment?
- Should the Manager be replaced? If so, who should replace him?

I think the team would be most effective in a 4-2-3-1 formation and with possession based tactics and a high press.
A new Assistant Manager could help Robins and the coaches as Rhys Carr is the only coach at the club that has previous experience of coaching at senior level in the Championship. Delaney, Boateng and Dempster were all Academy coaches.
Dean Austin has made several errors with squad planning and recruitment and his position should be reviewed by Robins and King.
It seems that Robins has been badly let down by Austin who has spent circa. £18m on 4 strikers (Simms, Wright, Thomas-Asante and Bassette) during the last 2 summer transfer windows and the squad is unbalanced and lacks strength on depth in several positions such as centre midfield, number 10, right wing and right back.

In my opinion, Robins should be given until the next international break to improve results.
This will be games against QPR (A), Luton (H), Middlesbrough (A), Derby (H) and Sunderland (A).
A minimum of 8 points from these 5 games should be the target.

If there is a change of manager, the following are likely to be decent candidates

Frank Lampard - Unemployed
Liam Rosenior - Strasbourg
Luke Williams - Swansea
John Eustace - Blackburn
Lee Carsley - England U21

God help us on any of those bar Eustace

 

[Matt smith]

People were pretty happy with Austin last summer. As for this season it seems Rudoni was a long term target, BTA we'd been looking at for years so that's probably Robins, Bassette most likely an Austin... again seems like excuses to me. The squad is lacking in some areas but its not that bad.

This squad should be no where near the bottom of this division.

 

[Major Tom]

I feel it’s about what’s happening either with coaching or player management.
Dennis left performances in the league dropped and with Adi going there is a gap in man management.
our throw ins and set pieces are poor, the amount of back passing is becoming painful. We are no Man City so tying to play like them isn’t working. We look slow and lethargic at times with no end result.
With all of the possession in the second half yesterday we did next to nothing. 4 shots on target in 2 games is not acceptable.

if the players are not up for it mentality now, then wait till it’s Feb in the bottom 6 and they will be crying on the pitch.

Finally Robins interview with CWR when he was speaking about the players away day at HAAS he seemed disinterested or maybe that’s his nature he’s tough to read whether we are winning or losing.

 

[Malaka]

I sit behind the technical areas at the CBS, have done since we came back. It was plainly obvious to me that Vivesh, barked the orders from the sidelines, approached Robins when things were going wrong, chatted to players going on the pitch. IMO, Vivesh was the main man behind it all.

We need to look at some of the things that the manager is responsible for.

Tactics
Picking the team
Change to plan B (if necessary)
Psychological condition of the players (are they in the right frame of mind?)
Physical condition
Discipline
Player Management
Attitude/Commitment of players
Clear lines of communication

Now tell me what is going well or has gone well since Vivesh has left, booted, hounded out or whatever?

Players have been shit on by DK and it has an effect.

It seems pretty clear that Robins has lost the dressing room or maybe they don't give a fuck about Coventry City.

If it was down to me, I would beg Vivesh to come back, get Robins the support he needs, cancel Kitching's contract (because he is a trouble making c**t) an example needs to be made if him, and tell DK to mind his own fucking business and leave the football to AV and MR.

 

[shmmeee]

The captaincy.

Yeah well give it to that experienced bloke who always performs and is vocal on the pitch. Oh. Wait.

 

[shmmeee]

People were pretty happy with Austin last summer. As for this season it seems Rudoni was a long term target, BTA we'd been looking at for years so that's probably Robins, Bassette most likely an Austin... again seems like excuses to me. The squad is lacking in some areas but its not that bad.

What SBT were you reading last season where everyone was happy with the recruitment??

 

[TomRad85]

What SBT were you reading last season where everyone was happy with the recruitment??

At the start of the season there was some reactive stuff but as the season went on there was an acceptance that the recruitment was actually decent.

 

[Ashdown]

You look at the diverse opinions on here and instantly see how difficult the fix is. So many have different ideas.
Personally I think Robins needs a tough assistant by his side and this gaggle of coaches should be reduced.
We need a leader or two on the pitch but that has to wait till January.
We have to know and stick with our best 11 where possible now.
Sadly a lot of the damage is difficult to remedy because we have signed some very bang average players for too much money.

 

[SeaSeeEffCee]

At the start of the season there was some reactive stuff but as the season went on there was an acceptance that the recruitment was actually decent.

Feels like we were conned into thinking it was decent by a good 13 game spell at the moment. Most of the players signed last summer are back to looking dreadful.

 

[Ring Of Steel]

I don’t see the players as the issue in terms of their ability.

The fact they’re so fragile is the issue. Anyone can see they’re petrified, bereft of any confidence. It’s absolutely screaming for a dose of experience, nastiness & toughness on the pitch.

It’s impossible to gauge them yet anyway in terms of ability & potential, seeing as not a single one of them has played to their ability the whole season so far.

 

[shmmeee]

There’s very few players I’d sign again given the chance. Virtually none of the big signings aside from MvE basically. And if yesterday was anything to go by not him either.

 

[Ashdown]

I sit behind the technical areas at the CBS, have done since we came back. It was plainly obvious to me that Vivesh, barked the orders from the sidelines, approached Robins when things were going wrong, chatted to players going on the pitch. IMO, Vivesh was the main man behind it all.

We need to look at some of the things that the manager is responsible for.

Tactics
Picking the team
Change to plan B (if necessary)
Psychological condition of the players (are they in the right frame of mind?)
Physical condition
Discipline
Player Management
Attitude/Commitment of players
Clear lines of communication

Now tell me what is going well or has gone well since Vivesh has left, booted, hounded out or whatever?

Players have been shit on by DK and it has an effect.

It seems pretty clear that Robins has lost the dressing room or maybe they don't give a fuck about Coventry City.

If it was down to me, I would beg Vivesh to come back, get Robins the support he needs, cancel Kitching's contract (because he is a trouble making c**t) an example needs to be made if him, and tell DK to mind his own fucking business and leave the football to AV and MR.

I can see and agree with a lot of your reasoning here, especially about Viveash but unfortunately you can’t just cancel a contract unless you can prove serious misdemeanour.