The supporters can start to feel confident about their team following a slow start to the season.
- With the loss of key players and their sad play-off final defeat, Coventry City’s poor start to the season was to be expected.The squad has improved and demonstrated mental toughness in recent games, despite their present 15th-place standing, so fans have cause for optimism.Coventry City still has a chance to catch up and qualify for the play-offs with half of the season left, especially if important players like Callum O’Hare continue to play well.
There were three main reasons why Coventry City’s poor start to the season wasn’t shocking.
First of all, they entered the season having lost to Luton Town in the play-off final on penalties.
Even though it had been more than two months since the Sky Blues’ defeat at Wembley and their opening day match against Leicester City, it was devastating for them to fall short at the last hurdle in that way.
Their first match at the King Power Stadium didn’t help lift spirits either, as the visitors lost 2-1 after leading through Kyle McFadzean’s late brace of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall goals.
It was also a setback when Viktor Gyokeres and Gus Hamer left. Together, they not only scored Coventry’s game-winning goal in the play-offs, but they also played key roles in the seasons 2022–2023 and 2021–2022.
To be fair to owner Doug King, he put a good chunk of cash back into the first team to make sure Mark Robins had adequate depth and quality in his squad. Their departures left a big hole that needed to be filled.
| Coventry City – 2023/24 Signings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player Name | Signed From | Loan/Permanent |
| Haji Wright | Antalyaspor | Permanent |
| Ellis Simms | Everton | Permanent |
| Liam Kitching | Barnsley | Permanent |
| Milan van Ewijk | Heerenveen | Permanent |
| Bobby Thomas | Burnley | Permanent |
| Tatsuhiro Sakamoto | KV Oostende | Permanent |
| Brad Collins | Barnsley | Permanent |
| Jay Dasilva | Bristol City | Permanent |
| Joel Latibeaudiere | Swansea City | Permanent |
| Yasin Ayari | Brighton | Loan |
| Luis Binks | Bologna | Loan |
But it was always going to take him for these additions to settle in – and a slow start to the campaign can be forgiven because of that.
Coventry City’s 2023/24 struggles
The Sky Blues will be disappointed with their current position of 15th place given their recent success.
However, not too long ago, they were in an even worse situation.
By early November, they had only won three league games all season and were on the losing end of their fourth straight Championship game.
They were only two spots above the relegation zone after that away loss to Preston North End.
At that moment, the Sky Blues had legitimate concerns even though they were five points above the bottom three.
Why Coventry City supporters should feel hopeful now
Fortunately, after that losing streak, they have won just one of their previous five league games, and they are now in a stronger position.
It takes amazing mental toughness to overcome it, which is one reason why supporters ought to have a little more hope now.
This streak is made even more remarkable by the fact that the defeat occurred away at Suffolk Town, since most teams that visit Portman Road between now and the end of the season will most likely leave empty-handed given how brilliantly they are performing.
Callum O’Hare’s contract comes up in the summer, therefore Coventry City has to lock him down to a new agreement at all costs.
With half the season remaining, Robins’ team has more than enough time to recover and lock up a spot in the top six, even if they are currently in 15th place and nine points out of the play-offs.
Their recent performance—which included draws against two teams with potent rosters and promotion hopes, Southampton and Leeds United—will have instilled confidence in them in addition to their victories.
They need to be consistent to succeed, but with Callum O’Hare playing and a strike force that can be deadly at this level, they have a good chance of making the playoffs at the end of the current campaign.
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