ROSE’S ROAD TO SUCCESS

finished strongly and we have carried it on.

“We have played at St Andrew’s the whole of the season, where Birmingham have shown class and made us welcome.

“It has been a work in progress, but I have enjoyed watching the side, I think they have been outstanding this year.

“The Championship from League One is a big step forward into a very tough league and no question we will have the smallest budget in the division.

“But money is not the be all and end all and challenges are there to be met head on.

“We have done that so far. We won’t change and will continue to build on what we have done.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for some of our young players.”

Coventry are now itching to get stuck into the second tier, but do not yet know when the season will restart, where they will be playing or if fans will be let in.

A philosophical Robins said: “It has been a tough 12 weeks against the backdrop of coronavirus which kills people.

“It has been fairly surreal since things shut down.

“But next season is something to look forward to and get stuck into – whenever it starts.”

MICHAEL ROSE has revealed how Coventry turned playing away every week to their advantage.

Mark Robins’ side won the League One title, despite being forced from their Ricoh Arena home in a row with rugby club landlords Wasps.

They played all season at Birmingham’s St Andrew’s, but Rose believes they made it work in their favour.

The Scottish defender (top, right) 24, said: “With the stadium situation, the manager turned a negative into a positive.

“He said the positives are we are playing on a football pitch not a rugby one. We would have loved to have played in Coventry in front of our own city and fans.

“But from a selfish point of view for the players, playing on a better surface gives us a better chance of playing better football. It is a proper football stadium.”

Coventry are in talks to return to the Ricoh, but also have an option to stay at Birmingham (above).