As Mark Robins maps out his summer transfer strategy for Coventry City, fans have sent a clear message following the conclusion of another eventful campaign. Despite the exhilarating journey, which saw them narrowly miss out on a Championship playoff spot and contend fiercely against Manchester United in a memorable FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, there’s a collective focus on bolstering the squad for the upcoming season.

A post-season poll of over 1,500 fans revealed overall satisfaction with the 2023/24 campaign, with 68 percent rating it as a seven or an eight out of ten. Among the standout summer signings, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, before his season-ending injury, emerged as the fans’ favorite, closely followed by Milan van Ewijk and Ellis Simms. Ben Sheaf garnered significant support as the player of the season, with van Ewijk trailing behind.

Looking ahead, goalkeeper emerged as the position requiring the most attention during the transfer window, echoing the team’s defensive struggles in conceding 59 goals, 13 more than the previous season. The need for an attacking midfielder, possibly to replace the departing Callum O’Hare, was also highlighted.

Concerns about defensive solidity were prevalent among fans, with 58 percent emphasizing the need to tighten up at the back. Many supporters also stressed the importance of strengthening midfield and increasing goal output.

Regarding summer signings, opinions varied, with the majority suggesting three to five new arrivals would suffice, while a significant portion advocated for six to eight signings to address the squad’s deficiencies.

The future of key player Ben Sheaf remains a focal point, with a majority of respondents eager for him to sign a new deal, although there’s also interest in potentially selling him to fund squad improvements.

Fans expressed clear preferences regarding players entering the final year of their contracts, with support for retaining certain individuals like Kasey Palmer, Jake Bidwell, Fabio Tavares, and Jamie Allen, while others like Matty Godden and Ben Wilson were deemed surplus to requirements.

Reflecting on the season’s highlights, supporters singled out the Wembley clash against Manchester United and the quarter-final victory over Wolves. When analyzing the reasons for falling short in the playoff push, injuries and squad depth emerged as significant factors, with many attributing the challenge to both the demanding cup run and a depleted player roster.