ROBINS AIMS TO FLY HIGH AT COV
TRANMERE staged the ultimate smash-and-grab to spoil Mark Robins’ new contract unveiling last Sunday.
Robins spurned the advances of Sunderland, and Coventry quickly came to an agreement with their manager on a new contract.
Robins must have been tempted. Sunderland are a huge club after all with a wonderful stadium and passionate fans. Despite current league positions, you would expect them to have a greater chance of promotion.
Robins flew the nest previously when he left Coventry for Huddersfield in 2013 and there may have been a greater sense of loyalty this time around. Either way, his commitment to stay is great for the football club.
Despite this news, Tranmere stole the three points with a fantastic late winner from the lively Corey Blackett-Taylor after Coventry absolutely bossed the ball but just couldn’t find that killer touch in front of goal.
I had to remember to input St Andrew’s on the sat-nav on the drive up rather than the Ricoh Arena and it was a surreal experience to see a side so esteemed and historic playing as tenants 22 miles from their home.
I have to say, though, it hasn’t seemed to faze them. Before this game, they had taken 16 points from a possible 18 and despite the crowds being around half that of the Ricoh, the average is around 5-6,000 as opposed to last season’s 12,000, the atmosphere was fantastic and the fans are doing their best.
It can’t help, however, to play in a stadium where you aren’t going to even fill one stand and the sooner the club can get back to Coventry, the better.
Robins believes in his philosophy and it has come under fire at times, most notably when they were thumped 4-0 at Rotherham. The Sky Blues were picked off playing out where they took one pass too many.
However, Robins isn’t going to change any time soon and cites the likes of Swansea, who passed their way out of the division, as a source of inspiration.
Robins has said he feels the fans will flood back once they are back in the city and more fans deserve to see what he is doing as the football they play is fantastic.