Strachan gives Robins ringing endorsement
MARK Robins has received a ringing endorsement from one of his many managerial predecessors at Coventry City, Gordon Strachan.
The former Sky Blues boss, who was in charge of the club for five years between 1996-2001, believes the current man in the hot seat is doing a “fantastic” job and hopes he can repeat last season’s promotion feat via the play-offs
“They have got momentum going and that’s great to see,” said 62-year-old.
“They had it last year when they got to the play-offs and they were flying with some incredible performances at Notts County and then got into the play-off final and scored some wonderful goals, so we’re hoping they can do the same again. Something needs doing in the town, that’s for sure, because there’s a big animal out there waiting to be woken up. If you are talking about teams that can make the Championship, a good Coventry team with a stadium would definitely add to the Championship.”
He added: “What Mark is doing just now with the players and the staff is fantastic considering the backdrop of uncertainty, and being able to continue shows the mental strength of the coaching staff and the players.
“They have to be congratulated because sometimes what’s going on off the field can become an easy excuse but they have dealt with it really well. As a manager, all you want to be talking about is the football rather than the turmoil that’s going on because at Coventry the football seems to be the second part of the club and everything else is in front of that.”
Strachan, who still lives locally, gets to the odd game at the Ricoh Arena and keeps a close eye on the fortunes of the Sky Blues, not least because his grandson is a season ticket holder.
“I took my grandson to a game recently but he’s got a season ticket and goes with his other granddad,” he said. “He was seven last year and he takes credit for Marc McNulty’s rise to stardom because he walked out with him on the pitch, holding his hand, and Marc scored a hat-trick that day and he’s never looked back, so my grandson is taking credit!”
As for the on-going stadium issue, the former Scotland boss said: “I think the whole of the football world can’t believe it’s still not resolved.
“It’s very hard to comment on something you don’t know much about. But what I do know is there’s a catchment area of fans there, of 20,000 at least, that are desperate to come back and have a real home.
n Gordon Strachan is a Paddy Power ambassador, read his columns at news. paddypower.com