DEAL OR NO DEAL, ROBINS ISN’T WORRIED
Coventry boss won’t put pressure on O’Hare
MARK ROBINS is refusing to put pressure on Callum O’Hare to sign a new Coventry deal after praising the fit-again star’s return to form.
The forward, nicknamed the ‘Solihull Messi,’ has been key in the Sky Blues’ surge up the table to sixth since returning from a long-term injury.
O’Hare scored a late brace to down leaders Leicester last weekend as Robins’ men remained unbeaten in their last nine in all competitions.
He is still mulling over the Sky Blues’ offer of a new deal with his current contract expiring in the summer, and Robins has no issue with him holding all the aces .
The Coventry boss said: “We know where we are. The ball would be in Callum’s court, not the club’s.
“There is no pressure being exerted by us. He’s in a position where he wants to maybe explore things and I think he is well within his rights to do that. Whilst he’s playing like he is and it’s not affecting him, there’s no reason to push.”
Robins reckons the 25-yearold has returned an even more complete player after missing the best part of a season of football with an ACL rupture.
“He’s in a really good headspace and that’s important for us and him,” Robins said.
“He’s spent a lot of time out and he’s had time to reflect.
“In any walk of life if you love what you do and someone takes it away from you it can have an impact. He’s missed a play-off final, which is difficult.
“It’s just over a year since the injury and he’s worked really hard to get back. He deserves everything and appears calmer.
“When you look at the top teams they have calmness at that top end of the pitch and I think that’s been developed.”
Robins (below) admits the Championship is even harder this season than last – when the Sky Blues were a penalty shoot-out away from winning promotion via the play-offs.
He added: “This year the league is stronger and it is every year. It’s always skewed by teams coming down with parachute payments. Other sides are starting to spend again after the Covid years.
“It’s a great achievement to make the top six any season.
“It’s the old adage of you don’t win anything now, it’s May. I’m a lot happier with where we are now than six to eight weeks ago.”