Football Season Guide

Coventry City have had more than their fair share of turbulent seasons in recent years and the last one was another rollercoaster ride. It didn’t quite rival being kicked out of their own purpose-built stadium but there was outrage when owner Doug King sacked long-serving manager Mark Robins in November. Robins was appointed in March 2017 for his second spell in charge and took the Sky Blues to promotion from League Two in 2018 and from League One in 2020. Yet his standing at the club counted for little when becoming embroiled in a power struggle with King over a new management structure. The decision was further lambasted by fans and critics alike when King announced Frank Lampard as Robins successor. It was a brave appointment with Lampard essentially in the last-chance saloon as a manager following a disappointing spell at Everton. Following Robins was hardly going to be easy either and yet the former England and Chelsea midfielder surprised everyone as his side picked up some impressive results. They finished in the play-off places and were only narrowly beaten by Sunderland over two legs in the semi-final. There is plenty of cause for optimism this summer then and Lampard has already started to fix one or two issues in the hope they can go one better this time around. Goalkeeper Oliver Dovin continues his rehabilitation after rupturing his ACL and there were question marks over understudies Ben Wilson and Brad Collins. Carl Rushworth has therefore been brought in on a season-long loan from Brighton & Hove Albion. A reliable goalscorer is close to the top of the wish list. Haji Wright was the only one to make it into double figures last season, with Ephron Mason-Clark the most likely candidate to start the season alongside him in attack. The return of midfield playmaker Victor Torp from injury is another positive heading into the new campaign.