Does anyone else feel that we’ve been sold short ? (8 Viewers)

[rob9872]

In my 60 years of life, working a lot in academia, it always surprises me that idioms, phrases and sayings from time gone by have more written in them than all books and papers can produce. Simple expressions like 'sleep on it' or 'time is the great healer' can be great advisors, and with that in mind, if I had read and responded yesterday in the heat of meltdown I would have been seathing, however, after sleeping on it, my calm demure can chuckle at the contributions and retort that of course we have had a great window.
What is the point of having a squad of 23 or so if you don't use them? Of course not everyone is a Rudoni with flair and vision, we need an Allen or an Eccles to come on and do the dirty work.
I watched the Middlesbro vs Sheff Utd match on TV the other day (more to gloat than anything else) and man did the Sheff Utd new signing from Millwall play well. He was the backline. He threw himself at everything, but by the end of the game he was shaking his head thinking 'Am I the only one defending'. I'm hoping our new signing from Ipswich has the same drive and passion. Eccles has that passion, sometimes in the world of Div 1 and 2 it is more apparent than in the cut-throat world of the championship, but Eccles does have that passion and I hope he improves on that. we don't need him to be another Rudoni or Torp, we already have them but they can't be another Eccles.
So, in hindsight, we had a good window. We kept our core and the nucleus of our squad and, if, we are pushing for the top come Christmas we can then invest where it is needed.

Did academia not teach you about paragraphs?

Whilst you might be a huge fan of Eccles and believe we don't need another Rudoni, bookmark your post for the games when Rudoni is injured, suspended or loses form or is substituted. We have no direct replacement for him and the side will clearly be weaker without. Let us all hope that there arent too many of those games.

 

---

[Macca1987]

bunch of entitled pricks

if you’d have offered me this, yes including stadium, at the start of the summer i’d have been happy

people annoyed because they let themselves get too caught up in hype and think the club somehow owed them a niche communication flow

hope we get promoted and you hang your heads in shame

I Don’t think it was the hype
Doug said looking to put the icing on the cake
I think he shot himself in the foot with that and should have kept quiet
We are where we are though and it’s time to move forward and support our super Sky Blues

 

[harvey098]

I feel the fans should of had better communication from the club today.
They are quick to take our money, but treat us with ignorance on a pivotal day in the football calendar.

If there's nothing happening then say so, if its going to the wire then say so.

Just inviting more uproar. If they say we’re trying to bring in 3 more and we only get one, the reactionaries will be even more aggrieved.

Far better to just see how it plays out. Did it really bother you that you had to wait a day to see the results rather than be given a prediction from the club halfway through yesterday.

 

[covboy9]

Loan market shut same time as transfer market.

Oh shit

 

[itsabuzzard]

In my 60 years of life, working a lot in academia, it always surprises me that idioms, phrases and sayings from time gone by have more written in them than all books and papers can produce. Simple expressions like 'sleep on it' or 'time is the great healer' can be great advisors, and with that in mind, if I had read and responded yesterday in the heat of meltdown I would have been seathing, however, after sleeping on it, my calm demure can chuckle at the contributions and retort that of course we have had a great window.
What is the point of having a squad of 23 or so if you don't use them? Of course not everyone is a Rudoni with flair and vision, we need an Allen or an Eccles to come on and do the dirty work.
I watched the Middlesbro vs Sheff Utd match on TV the other day (more to gloat than anything else) and man did the Sheff Utd new signing from Millwall play well. He was the backline. He threw himself at everything, but by the end of the game he was shaking his head thinking 'Am I the only one defending'. I'm hoping our new signing from Ipswich has the same drive and passion. Eccles has that passion, sometimes in the world of Div 1 and 2 it is more apparent than in the cut-throat world of the championship, but Eccles does have that passion and I hope he improves on that. we don't need him to be another Rudoni or Torp, we already have them but they can't be another Eccles.
So, in hindsight, we had a good window. We kept our core and the nucleus of our squad and, if, we are pushing for the top come Christmas we can then invest where it is needed.

Seething.

 

[Cally Fedora]

I feel pretty pissed off ive paid nigh on a grand to inevitably watch Jamie Allen and Josh Eccles as our midfield pairing at some point in the next 12 weeks

But arent you relieved you’ll still be watching Wright, Saka, Rudoni, MVE, Grimes ??

 

[Speedies_Chips]

think some of our fanbase are getting way too entitled

Agreed. We pay our money to watch the team play football matches. That doesn’t entitle us to instant news about what’s going on behind the scenes.

 

[skyblue_55]

Forget about behind the scenes, just go off Saturday , when our mainly “ first team “ were off the boil 2nd half & nobody stepped up to lift the team …….just an experienced head in there to help ….. a new player of quality …… too much to ask ?

 

[commissioner_gordon]

I feel pretty pissed off ive paid nigh on a grand to inevitably watch Jamie Allen and Josh Eccles as our midfield pairing at some point in the next 12 weeks

I do agree with regard to Josh Eccles, but Jamie Allen put in some sterling performances last year.

Who can forget the Sunderland (H) game in March when we were calling him Andreas Iniesta Allen with this wonderful passing display - where he was man of the match!

You have short memories.

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

We're maybe a couple of players off ideally, but when you remind yourself we've kept Rudoni, Wright, and MvE, it doesn't feel so bad at all.

Eccles is consistently mocked on this forum but he's a very good player. I think he will step up under Lampard.

Still think we're in for an exciting season.

 

[DT-R]

Lampard will get two loanees

How exactly will he do that then? Bribe the league officials to turn a blind eye? Or are we waiting till January and hoping we get no injuries between now and then?

And im sure, if any free agents are still free now, then there's got to be a reason behind that. If they were that good, somebody should've picked them up by now. And if they are of a decent quality (Chritian Eriksen) it'll take 2-3 months to get them up to speed and match fitness (see Jamie Patterson) and by which time the window is open again anyway.

Sent from my SM-S711B using Tapatalk

 

[prufrock]

Whilst we all wanted a couple more I am happy with the type of players we are getting in. KKH was Preston player of the year last year, Wolfie well regarded at at Ipswich with some Prem experience, Rushworth did well at Swansea the year before last. Even if KKH and Rushworth haven't estabished yet there are players in there that have already proven they can play at Championship level and perhaps beyond.

That doesn't guarantee success of course. Simms (so far) being a prime example. His stint at Sunderland showed he can score in the Champ and realistically it looked like he would be even better when he came to us- bit older- bit more experience. He has done OK in patches but it is as if we are still waiting to see the umplayable Simms, who pushes defenders up against the wall and steals their dinner money.

Of the players that left not one was a regular starter for us. The young players need regular game time. I do not mind Rafael going to Wigan to get minutes under his belt. If he does well, is there a recall option if we do get some serious injuries? Binks had a few chances last season which didn't work out, to replace him with Wolfie will almost certainly be an upgrade.

Hopefully Lampard has seen enough of Kai Andrews to decide he can help make him into a top midfielder with us rather than ship him out on loan again. Would be great to see another from the academy doing well in the team. Eccles coming back will also be massive. We really could have done with him replacing Torp on 60 against Oxford. I don't know if it's because he is one of or own but given the choice of Sheaf or Eccles leaving, for me, it would be Sheaf everytime.

My big concern is that we do not have anyone who can cover for Grimes. He has a skillset that not one other player has, namely to ability to set and dictate the tempo of matches. Sheaf was proabaly closest because he could receive the ball from CB's and turn, but Grimes so so so much better at this. Both Smallbone and Browne can play a similar style so was hoping one of them would have come in y/day. (Browne went to Middlesborough, Smallbone to Millwall). If Grimes does get injured we will likely sit much deeper, conceed 20% more posession and have to play more on the counter.

Up front whilst we look light on numbers we do have the luxury of having a couple of versatile forwards. Wright has shown he can play on the left if needed. Rudoni could play on both flanks. Assante looks like he can cover at right wing and really was impressive there against QPR. Perhaps there is even a shout for MVE to play on the right with KKH behind should injuries dictate. If Sakamoto starts on the right after the international break having Assante come on with 20 to go anywhere across the top will be a handful.

So I think as long as Grimes stays fit this squad is versatile enough to keep us in and around the playoffs until January. It is clear to me that whilst we are not bringing in the volume of players the ones we do bring in, on paper, look to have the potential to be upgrades on what we had.

We played some sensational football against QPR. And some of the attacking footwork first half against Oxford was the best I've seen coventry play. They could not get near us. So yeah really wanted a couple more in but also really excited about what we already have.

 

[Nick]

Lampard will get two loanees

Either January, they are signed but not announced or free agents.

 

[JSL]

Rumour on FB is that Bamford is coming as a free agent

 

[GC1976]

Nope. Sold Short ? “You are living in cuckoo land” to quote somebody who knows his potatoes

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Rumour on FB is that Bamford is coming as a free agent

Twitter are suggesting Ziyech

 

[Captain Dart]

Tbh I wish we'd held it back. If that was announced today, even if we hadn't even signed Wolfenden, I think I'd have been made up with the news. That gap in the middle, seeing players leave and the depth looking missing, makes it all feel a bit flat.

My understanding was that the tadium cost was covered by new investors and a loan, so in terms of finances, we had the play-off money, record season ticket and shirt sales, money from Binks, Sheaf and Gyokeres. We were led to believe that we were bidding upwards to 10m for Hughes, 8m Doyle, 5.5m Rushworth. No idea if any of that's accurate but I assume we do have money to spend and wonder which targets we didn't get over the line. I don't proclaim to know enough about Wolfenden to say if he's better or worse than the other two or if we simply settled for him, and can’t also help thinking that not hitting the fee required for MVE has been in part to blame too.

Hopefully no key injuries and when we reflect in a few weeks, I'll think better of it.

New investors? Is that a rumour with no evidence to back it up. The accounts that will be published in Feb 2027 might shed some light on it, the accounts published in Feb 2026 will not cover the stadium purchase they'll only cover the year ending May 31st 2025.

 

[David O'Day]

No, we've kept all of our best players

 

[CCFCSteve]

Whilst we all wanted a couple more I am happy with the type of players we are getting in. KKH was Preston player of the year last year, Wolfie well regarded at at Ipswich with some Prem experience, Rushworth did well at Swansea the year before last. Even if KKH and Rushworth haven't estabished yet there are players in there that have already proven they can play at Championship level and perhaps beyond.

That doesn't guarantee success of course. Simms (so far) being a prime example. His stint at Sunderland showed he can score in the Champ and realistically it looked like he would be even better when he came to us- bit older- bit more experience. He has done OK in patches but it is as if we are still waiting to see the umplayable Simms, who pushes defenders up against the wall and steals their dinner money.

Of the players that left not one was a regular starter for us. The young players need regular game time. I do not mind Rafael going to Wigan to get minutes under his belt. If he does well, is there a recall option if we do get some serious injuries? Binks had a few chances last season which didn't work out, to replace him with Wolfie will almost certainly be an upgrade.

Hopefully Lampard has seen enough of Kai Andrews to decide he can help make him into a top midfielder with us rather than ship him out on loan again. Would be great to see another from the academy doing well in the team. Eccles coming back will also be massive. We really could have done with him replacing Torp on 60 against Oxford. I don't know if it's because he is one of or own but given the choice of Sheaf or Eccles leaving, for me, it would be Sheaf everytime.

My big concern is that we do not have anyone who can cover for Grimes. He has a skillset that not one other player has, namely to ability to set and dictate the tempo of matches. Sheaf was proabaly closest because he could receive the ball from CB's and turn, but Grimes so so so much better at this. Both Smallbone and Browne can play a similar style so was hoping one of them would have come in y/day. (Browne went to Middlesborough, Smallbone to Millwall). If Grimes does get injured we will likely sit much deeper, conceed 20% more posession and have to play more on the counter.

Up front whilst we look light on numbers we do have the luxury of having a couple of versatile forwards. Wright has shown he can play on the left if needed. Rudoni could play on both flanks. Assante looks like he can cover at right wing and really was impressive there against QPR. Perhaps there is even a shout for MVE to play on the right with KKH behind should injuries dictate. If Sakamoto starts on the right after the international break having Assante come on with 20 to go anywhere across the top will be a handful.

So I think as long as Grimes stays fit this squad is versatile enough to keep us in and around the playoffs until January. It is clear to me that whilst we are not bringing in the volume of players the ones we do bring in, on paper, look to have the potential to be upgrades on what we had.

We played some sensational football against QPR. And some of the attacking footwork first half against Oxford was the best I've seen coventry play. They could not get near us. So yeah really wanted a couple more in but also really excited about what we already have.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we go 5 at the back if grimes got injured

 

[rob9872]

New investors? Is that a rumour with no evidence to back it up. The accounts that will be published in Feb 2027 might shed some light on it, the accounts published in Feb 2026 will not cover the stadium purchase they'll only cover the year ending May 31st 2025.

I was assuming the £15m injection hadn't come from King but a third party. No confirmation on that, but you're right the accounts should hopefully show.

 

[CCFCSteve]

I was assuming the £15m injection hadn't come from King but a third party. No confirmation on that, but you're right the accounts should hopefully show.

I reckon it’s come from king. Whether it was partly to prepare for the stadium purchase (which I guess would also involve external borrowings) or to cover losses, unsure

 

[Speedie's Head]

Expectations were unrealistically high. It became accepted that we'd bid £10m+ here another £5+ there and people believed that we had money to throw around on pretty mediocre players. If we've bid that we must have money etc. etc and without selling anyone!

We lost £8m in the year of last accounts and we didn't have any major sales in the current financial year. I think King will be looking at that very carefully, especially if he's looking to sell up at some point. Obviously the club is worth less while it's shouldering large debts! Another £10m on top of the last two seasons and the debt is suddenly over £20m and that becomes problematic quickly.

Perhaps it's a sudden and unwelcome reality check after the stadium news (which will be a different source of capital/investment i.e. you don't borrow to buy players or to pay wages but you do borrow to buy infrastructure.) It'll calm down with results on the pitch, otherwise it won't!

 

[Saddlebrains]

I wouldn’t be surprised if we go 5 at the back if grimes got injured

Same. Same for Rudoni

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Same. Same for Rudoni

Rushworth
MVE Thomas Woolf Kitching Brau
Grimes
Allen Torp
Simms Wright

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

Same. Same for Rudoni

Always painful to lose Rudoni or Grimes but is it the worst line up?

Would be interesting to see if Lampard changes to the 5-3-2 now we have Woolf in games where we are under a lot of pressure or away at the top sides.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

Always painful to lose Rudoni or Grimes but is it the worst line up?

Would be interesting to see if Lampard changes to the 5-3-2 now we have Woolf in games where we are under a lot of pressure or away at the top sides.

View attachment 45774

I think a Simms and Wright front 2 brings the best out of Simms.

 

[Sky Blue Goblin]

I think a Simms and Wright front 2 brings the best out of Simms.

I agree, think his best performances for the last two seasons have been in a front two, Luton Home for example or Wednesday away

 

[Deity]

Another hour to go …… if paperwork is in place , but a couple of quality signings , would go a long way to make me believe that we are genuine promotion contenders

No. It was an excellent summer.

Only the stupid or entitled see it differently …

 

[rob9872]

Always painful to lose Rudoni or Grimes but is it the worst line up?

Would be interesting to see if Lampard changes to the 5-3-2 now we have Woolf in games where we are under a lot of pressure or away at the top sides.

View attachment 45774

So because Rudi gets injured, we bring in Eccles, Simms and a CB and drop Ephron and Tats? No thanks.

 

[Evo1883]

We're maybe a couple of players off ideally, but when you remind yourself we've kept Rudoni, Wright, and MvE, it doesn't feel so bad at all.

Eccles is consistently mocked on this forum but he's a very good player. I think he will step up under Lampard.

Still think we're in for an exciting season.

I agree

 

[David O'Day]

So because Rudi gets injured, we bring in Eccles, Simms and a CB and drop Ephron and Tats? No thanks.

if Rudi get's injured we are more likely to push torp forward and bring in eccles as the 8 where he looked really good at the the end of last season

 

[rob9872]

Lots suggesting Eccles might be the answer. I'm not his biggest fan, but we'll likely need him, however the rhetoric constantly aimed at Sheaf on here was that he's injury prone. Eccles 2 years younger has missed a chunk of every season in the last 3 through injury and isn't yet fit this season:

Season	Injury Period
2021–22	July 21 to Nov 21
	Feb 22 to Apr 22
2022–23	Dec 22 to Jan 23
2024–25	Oct-24
	March 25 to April 25
	May 25 to ongoing

 

[TomRad85]

if Rudi get's injured we are more likely to push torp forward and bring in eccles as the 8 where he looked really good at the the end of last season

Yeh bang on with this i think.

 

[Deity]

I feel pretty pissed off ive paid nigh on a grand to inevitably watch Jamie Allen and Josh Eccles as our midfield pairing at some point in the next 12 weeks

Cmon @Saddlebrains you’ve been a City fan for long enough to know that these are the good times. In fact no better time over the last 20+ years …. What ever your beef with King let it go so you can enjoy it rather than looking for the downsides in every scenario.

 

[quinn1971]

We coped with injuries last season, we’ll manage again, and we probably made our best recent signing in January, if we need some help then we’ll get it