THE MAX FACTOR
BHIAMOU FORM TOO GOOD TO IGNORE, SAYS ROBINS
MARK Robins has changed his Coventry City striking pecking order, admitting he “can’t ignore” the form of fan favourite Max Biamou.
The Sky Blues boss moved the popular Frenchman up the matchday rankings on Saturday when he named him on the bench at Burton Albion ahead of Amadou Bakayoko.
Bakayoko travelled to the game and was fit to play but missed out on the 18-man squad to Biamou whose recent hot form of four goals in four games in the Under23s has seen him promoted to second choice striker behind Matty Godden.
Robins could have named both among the subs but needed to cover all bases in terms of back-up for key positions in the team, explaining after the goalless draw with the Brewers: “I needed a midfield player on the bench and I wanted Max because I can’t ignore him. I have spoken about Max. He’s scored four goals in the Under-23s and he warrants a place on the bench and people have got to fight for their place.”
City face AFC Wimbledon at St Andrew’s tonight looking to strengthen their grip on the top spot in League One against a side third from bottom.
The Sky Blues, meanwhile, have been victorious in all four of their opening games at their groundshare venue but have not been able to beat the Dons in their last four league meetings, home and away, since their return to the Football League, having drawn all of them.
There are battles for the shirt throughout the squad, none more so than at centre-half where Kyle McFadzean, Dom Hyam and Michael Rose have been competing for the two available berths. Rose’s groin injury late on against Blackpool last week opened the door for Hyam who was outstanding at Burton where he played a key role alongside McFadzean.
“It’s brilliant and they are going to have to bide their time from time to time because they are three really good centre-halves who are all performing really well at the level,” the boss said. “So it’s a great problem for me to have and they have got to fight to keep the jersey.”
Left-back Brandon Mason is another who comes back into contention for tonight, albeit young understudy Sam McCallum having done a fine job in his absence with a hamstring strain over the last four games.
“Brandon Mason was here as well and it’s good to have them available again.
“He got through 90 minutes in the Under-23s on Friday and will be ready for tonight.”