Coventry City returned to winning ways at the weekend with a much-needed first road win – only the second triumph of the 2023/24 season. Ellis Simms scored a wonderful brace either side of a superb strike from Josh Eccles as both Sky Blues players got their season started.
Mark Robins’ men now prepare for a Coventry Building Society Arena double header in four days, beginning with Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night and ending with Norwich City in the West Midlands on Saturday. Can City follow up their 3-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers with back-to-back victories to kickstart their season?
Only time will tell, but confidence will be strong in the camp as the players prepare for their test against two sides that have struggled for consistency this season, like many Championship clubs. This week, we take a peek at what’s going on at the football club.
A unique link
The wonderful Sky Blue Army’s good times returned at the weekend. A total of 2,750 fans traveled to West London and effectively took over Loftus Road from start to finish.
It was amazing to see such happy scenes at the final whistle, reminiscent of last season’s play-off run, with the players coming over to the away end to thank the fans for their support and drink up the adoration. Mark Robins and his staff also came over to express their gratitude, as the extraordinary bond between the throngs on the terraces and the manager and his troops continues.
Meanwhile, City’s attendance was the sixth highest by an EFL team, after only Sunderland (3,886) at Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester City (3,270) at Blackburn, Leeds United (2,825) at Southampton, and Bolton (2,784) at Port Vale.
Mark Robins intimated on Friday that “one or two” of his three recently injured players (Ben Sheaf, Kasey Palmer, and Milan van Ewijk) could return this week, though he refused to say who. According to their initial prognosis, all three had been ruled out for six to eight weeks – two with adductor strains and one with a quad muscle injury.
When pressed more on the returns over the weekend, the City manager remained tight-lipped but did suggest that Wednesday’s CBS Arena game against Blackburn Rovers was too soon, so there should be some optimism ahead of Saturday’s home game against Norwich.
The Weekly Team
Ellis Simms of Coventry City earned this week’s Sky Bet Championship The Team of the Week, which came as no surprise.
Based on @WhoScored ratings, the Sky Blues were selected alongside former loan favourite Adam Armstrong, who is now at Southampton, and five West Brom players (including three of the back four) and manager Carlos Corberan following the Baggies’ 4-0 win at Preston North End.
Ronald, get well soon.
After ending up in hospital over the weekend, City fans bombarded the creator of the Sky Blues’ Uganda supporters club, Cefovid Uganda, with well wishes. Ronald, who established the West African outpost a few years ago, said on social media that the 3-1 success at QPR had brightened his day, saying: “…been very hard days for me with pulmonary challenges but great to see the lads getting us the 3points.” “You made my day.”
The club was among those urging Ronald to “get well soon,” a sentiment shared by thousands of worried fans and, of course, everyone at CoventryLive.
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