Coventry Telegraph

Applause for U’s fan Steve

- By MANTEJ MANN Footballer Reporter mantej.mann@trinitymir­oor.com Mark Robins

WEMBLEY is expected to break out into a minute’s applause during the Checkatrad­e Trophy final between Coventry City and Oxford United.

According to the Oxford Mail, The Yellow Army supporters’ group are organising a minute’s applause in the 12th minute after the death of U’s fan, Steve Dyer. Mr Dyer, who had been diagnosed with bladder cancer, made the 3,200-mile round trip from his home in New Hampshire, USA, for last season’s Johnstone Paint Trophy final at Wembley.

The club’s statement said: “Thoughts are with the family of Steve Dyer who passed away overnight. He fought bravely and his positivity is an inspiratio­n to all.” COVENTRY City manager Mark Robins has urged his Sky Blues players to start ‘enjoying their football again’ after a disappoint­ing start to his second stint in charge.

City have suffered back-to-back home defeats against Bradford and Southend under Robins’ guidance, and the new boss is hoping to kick start a revival at MK Dons today.

Robins said: “We’ve got to try and remember how we got to the stage we’re currently at, and work to change that.

“For us, we’re not having enough shots, not having enough of the ball and are not troubling the opposition in the final third.

“We have to try and lighten things and remember why it was we all started playing football and enjoying it again. We can’t overload them with instructio­ns and informatio­n.

“There is certainly a fragile mental- ity and we know that there are some shortcomin­gs, but they know how to play and there is some talent in this squad.”

The manager has fond memories of previous visits to MK Dons, and will be hoping to draw on past experience­s when he takes his Sky Blues to Stadium MK. Referring to the 3-2 triumph in 2012, he added: “It was a good day, I particular­ly remember us bringing over 5,000 fans that day and the atmosphere was electric. “We need to harness those memories. “Robbie Neilson (MK Dons manager) has only had a little time to

I’ve watched quite a bit of their footage over the last few days and they’ve still got some potent attacking threats.

 ??  ?? Michael Folivi, right, is back in training with Sky Blues and Jordan Willis is expected to be named in the squad for the clash with MK Dons
Michael Folivi, right, is back in training with Sky Blues and Jordan Willis is expected to be named in the squad for the clash with MK Dons

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