I think there is a lot of truth in what those of you who remark about the economic situation in Coventry say. Yes, the city has been through a lot of strife in recent times however I think there is a lack of positivity and "get up and go" about Coventry at the moment and I largely blame the Council (and both Labour and Conservative administrations) for this. For example, one only has to look at the demise of Courtaulds, a once iconic factory employing thousands, which is now boarded up and with grass four feet high, to see that something new is needed to revive things. Alas, the Peugeot factory at Ryton was demolished and I haven't seen any sign of development there since, it has just been abandoned. Then there was the recent saga over the airport, the recent closure a number of city centre restaurants, the travails of the Rugby club etc. What Coventry really needs is someone with leadership and vision to promote the city to the international world, to attract the necessary inward investment and to show some aspiration and optimism. Sadly with the rejection of an elected mayor an opportunity was missed but I don't want to get too political.
Back to football it is sadly clear that an area's economic demographic has some bearing on its performance on the field. For example, I don't think it is a coincidence that clubs like Reading, Southampton, Brighton and Norwich are performing so well at present. They are all located in wealthy areas where professional footballers (particularly those from overseas) would be happy to live. It is much easier to sell these sort of clubs to investors than the likes of Middlesbrough or Barnsley. I think we are going to see a more Southern-centric Premier League in the future. I don't welcome it but I feel it is inevitable. The best way for small northern clubs to compete is by having a Jack Walker or Dave Whelan figure - a very rich benefactor who is passionate about championing their local club. So in the long term we either need to find a Walker or a Whelan or we need to demand that Coventry is a much more ambitious, aspirational and optimistic place as the culture of failure in the city is pervading the football club at present.