MY ROYALS ARE WEARY AND WARY
Robins: There is potential to be a huge club but we must return home to Coventry.. and quickly PEP’S UP FOR CUP
MARK ROBINS hopes Coventry’s FA Cup run will increase the clamour to get them back to their home city.
The League One Sky Blues face landlords Birmingham tonight in a fourth-round replay with a trip to Premier League Leicester up for grabs for the winners.
Coventry are groundsharing at St Andrew’s this term after failing to agree a new lease at the Ricoh Arena.
There is a clause in the arrangement to extend the deal for a further two seasons if both clubs wish.
But City manager Robins believes it is costing his club supporters and insists they must get back to playing in Coventry if the former topflight outfit really wants to flourish.
He said: “We need to grow the club again. There are a number of supporters who have stayed away for a number of reasons. But we have the potential to be a huge club.
“That is the ambition. We have to get back to Coventry, playing our football in Coventry as quickly as we can.
“That is an aim and a goal and an imperative.”
Robins’ fifth-placed side are unbeaten in 10 games and have been lauded for their attractive football this term. And he believes playing Championship opposition is vital for his young squad’s development.
He added: “We are doing well in our league allied to having a decent FA Cup run, which is something that is important to us both financially, but also from a football development view.
We have to develop players and sell them.
“Almost every summer there is a big churn of players so you are almost rebuilding and restarting from scratch each summer.
“But we try and do that to a point where we can also get back into the Championship at a minimum.”
PEP CLOTET is desperate for his Birmingham side to keep up momentum by seeing off Coventry in the FA Cup tonight.
The Blues have not lost a match since New Year’s Day and Clotet wants to keep that run going, even if victory tonight will mean fixture congestion.
“We got through a bad run and now we are facing a new challenge,” Clotet said. “February is congested with fixtures.
“But we certainly want to be competitive in the FA Cup. It has helped already, giving us a boost in the Blackburn tie in the third round, and now we have the opportunity to get into the fifth round, which would mean a lot to the club and supporters.”
v7.45pm
BOSS Mark Bowen admits Reading will have to play a weakened team this evening – as Cardiff have worn them out.
The Royals take on the Welsh side for a third time in 10 days after drawing 1-1 in the previous meetings at home in the cup and away in the league last Friday. And Bowen (above) said: “There are some tired lads in the dressing room because of the pressure that they put you under.
“We will look to see what we can do to combat Cardiff. We know how they’ll play and we’ll try to stamp our authority on the game.
“Whoever gets through has a home tie against Sheffield United to look forward to, which adds that little extra credence to the match.”
Cardiff manager Neil Harris is backing Callum Paterson force his way back into contention for Scotland – if he can keep on scoring.
Paterson has netted in his last three games and will be aiming to extend his streak tonight. Harris said: “I am really pleased with Callum – he plays with his heart on his sleeve.
“He has been important to us and he looks a goal threat and a nuisance.
“He has got the bit between his teeth and he has fought his way back into the team. If he continues to perform, why shouldn’t he get an international recall?
“He has got the ability and certainly has the drive and passion to do that as a proud Scotsman.”