Coventry City will face a resurgent Stoke City at the CBS Arena this weekend, hoping to end their miserable five-game winless streak. The Sky Blues will undoubtedly need to improve on their performance against the Potters in April, when the Potters ran out 4-0 winners in the West Midlands.
There have been some encouraging and concerning signs in recent weeks, when Mark Robins’ men arguably deserved more in some games and disappointed in others as they fell to four straight defeats. The manager admitted over the weekend that some of his players are “not in a brilliant place” right now, citing “fear” among them.
He also hinted at changes, saying, “…it might mean that the others who have been watching from the sidelines waiting patiently get their chance.” It’s really up to them how we transition from this week to the Stoke game.”
Several positions have come under scrutiny, including goalkeeper Ben Wilson, who has been chastised for a couple of handling errors, one of which led to West Brom’s first goal last week. Will Robins make a change this weekend and give summer signing Brad Collins a chance?
Then there’s the issue of the defensive line. Not only is the City manager waiting for his strongest combination to emerge from the five available centre-backs, but a significant change in formation has sparked much discussion and debate after Robins switched to a 4-3-3 formation at Deepdale at half-time.
Will he start with a flat four this weekend, or will he rely on his tried-and-true three centre-halves and wing-backs system that has served him so well in recent years? Of course, going with a four begs the question of who drops out and who the strongest central pairing is. Liam Kitching and Bobby Thomas rekindled their partnership that helped League One Barnsley reach the play-off final last season when they played together again this season.
Fadz has been a mainstay of City’s back three for several seasons, but the big question is whether he can still play in a four at the age of 36. Meanwhile, his participation this weekend has been called into question due to the sad news of a close family bereavement.
Kitching is an obvious starter due to his natural leadership, aggression, and armband experience. Other candidates for the central positions include Luis Binks and Joel Latibeaudiere, with the latter also being considered for the right-back position alongside Milan van Ewijk. Jay Dasilva slipped below his impressive early-season form at the weekend, so Jake Bidwell will be looking to reclaim his starting spot.
The midfield is also a mystery, with Ben Sheaf appearing to be one of the first names on the teamsheet. Without Josh Eccles mopping up around him in the first half at Preston, he looked far less effective – the Academy graduate coming on at the break. Callum O’Hare has been an impact sub in the last three games and will be a regular starter once fully recovered. It remains to be seen whether he is ready for that, so does Tatsuhiro Sakamoto get the nod to provide the creative attacking spark behind the strikers until O’Hare’s inevitable inclusion as an impact sub in the second half? Yasin Ayari and Jamie Allen were among those who fell short at Deepdale. However, the latter is incorrect.
At Preston, a front three of strikers Ellis Simms, Matty Godden, and Haji Wright looked the part, but Sakamoto could be an option wide on the right if the manager wants to save one of his goal scorers for later in the game. Whatever happens, it will be interesting to see if Robins sticks with three or four at the back.
Either way, City desperately need a win.
Predicted City team v Stoke: Ben Wilson; Milan van Ewijk, Bobby Thomas, Liam Kitching, Jake Bidwell; Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Josh Eccles, Ben Sheaf; Haji Wright, Matty Godden, Ellis Simms.
