COVENTRY City manager Mark Robins has challenged his fringe players to fight for their Sky Blues shirts.
Robins is set to shake up his squad in the New Year when the loan deals for James Bailey, Jamie Reckord and Conor Henderson expire and he has made it clear that he would like to shed some players so he can make room for new arrivals.
But, in the interim, he is hoping that some of the assets who have slipped out of the first-team picture or are on their way back from injury will ensure that competition remains healthy at the Ricoh Arena.
“It’s not an exact science,” he explained, “but when you bring players into the team you have to be as sure as you possibly can that they are ready and they will make a difference.
“Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t but I need players who are reliable, players who are willing to give their all for the cause.
Robins gave the Telegraph his assessment on the players who could come in from the cold before Christmas...
Adam Barton: “He’s a very good footballer, the sort of player you can build a team around, but at the moment it’s difficult to find a spot for him.
“He’s got a languid style which means that supporters sometimes think he’s not trying as hard as he could, but that’s the way he plays and he did particularly well in the Under-21 game at Leicester last week, finding space in the hole behind the striker.
“There are times when he’s got a touch of the Tommy Hutchison about him, although I wouldn’t want to saddle him with that comparison at Coventry!”
Reece Brown: "He was in the team at the start of the season but when he fell ill Nathan Cameron came in and did very well so he kept the shirt. Now it’s up to Reece to knuckle down, show us what he can do and fight his way back into the team.
“He’s a cultured player and he’s got everything in terms of his athletic frame, his movement and his skill on the ball. But centre-halves also have to learn how to concentrate for 90 minutes and throw their body on the line when required.
“He’s got some work to do, knuckle down and show what he can do.
“I’ve seen him play in front of the back four and that’s a good position for him so it’s something else to think about because with a squad like our’s you have to be able to use people in different positions as and when the need arises.”
Conor Henderson: “Conor’s career has been hampered by injuries but he’s somebody I like as a footballer – he’s athletic and he’s got great ability. He’s had a couple of cameos and it hasn’t really worked out for him yet so, again, it’s a case of trying to fit him into what we’re doing..
“I think the pace of the games surprised him a bit because you tend to think it’s quicker in the Premier League. It is in terms of thought, touch and passing, but it’s a different game – here they’re in your face, stopping you from moving so you need to know where you’re going with the ball.
“Given time he he’ll master that because he’s a really good footballer.
David Bell: “I don’t like putting dates on these things but I imagine it’s going to be several weeks. He’s due to have his protective boot off either at the end of this week or the beginning of next and then he can start stepping up his rehabilitation.
“I saw him play for Norwich and after he came here he played against my Barnsley team and from what I can remember he did well. He’s been in and out of the squad for the past couple of years and he’s very disappointed because he wanted to hit the ground running this season.
"When I came in it was his first game back in training and he obviously wanted to make an impression but he picked up this metatarsal injury which has set him back.”
Conor Thomas: “He’s been really unlucky and he’s going to be out for several weeks as well because he needs to do some physio work before he’s ready to come back with us.
"If we can get him back for the Christmas period then great because we’re obviously set to lose three of the loan players in December.”
I though the bit about Barton was interesting:
Adam Barton: “He’s a very good footballer, the sort of player you can build a team around, but at the moment it’s difficult to find a spot for him.
This is the problem with our squad - too many players like that - Barton, Sheffers, Fleck, Baker, Moussa.
shows that Barton does have that ability though.
Question are, was he the wrong player to sign for the division. Or was he the right player for the manager that signed him and the plans he had. Or should Barton be good enough to adapt his game
One of my clients, is David McGoldrick's Mom in Law. Today she told me he has agreed to give me a match shirt of his, signed when he leaves in January. I asked about him staying as he is head and shoulders above anyone else, she asked him, he said he loves it at city but thinks he will be gone.
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Yes he was the wrong type of player for the division. No he wasn't the right type of player for the manager who signed him, he already had baker and Sheffers, and signed fleck. And if Barton can't adapt his game he should be moved on.
And it doesn't really show that Barton has ability, he's hardly going to say he crap is he?
lol.........GETTING HARDER THAN IT SHOULD BE!
Mechanical & Electrical, sorry keeping clear of the porn industry
He also says that style gives supporters the Impression he's not trying as hard as he could!! I've said in a couple of threads that its too early to write all the summer signings off and still maintain that this guy has been harshly judged for starting the season without a pre-season with us and not completely fit /Match fit,leaving his tank empty on 65-70 mins leading to his errorprone sequences in those early games .AT should have had the nous to get him off at that point in those matches, as his fading out of the game coupled with the poor rightback cover
ulitametely cost us the goals which cost him his job.
I though the bit about Barton was interesting:
Adam Barton: “He’s a very good footballer, the sort of player you can build a team around, but at the moment it’s difficult to find a spot for him.
This is the problem with our squad - too many players like that - Barton, Sheffers, Fleck, Baker, Moussa.
McSheff - no, too shit and old. Baker - no, too old, not that good either. Moussa, jury's out for me, has a bit of class about him with dribbling but passing can be poor (last 3 home games) - potentially. Fleck, yes, Barton yes, Thomas, yes.
lol.........GETTING HARDER THAN IT SHOULD BE!
Mechanical & Electrical, sorry keeping clear of the porn industry
Mechanical & Electrical toys are widely used in the porn industry.
(So I am told).
I like the fact that ROD is so far out of favour that MR doesn't even class him as a fringe player, if this article is anything to go by!!
I though the bit about Barton was interesting:
Adam Barton: “He’s a very good footballer, the sort of player you can build a team around, but at the moment it’s difficult to find a spot for him.
This is the problem with our squad - too many players like that - Barton, Sheffers, Fleck, Baker, Moussa.
If you watch Barton on a football pitch for 10 minutes.
You should be able to see that he has more ability than pretty much anyone else on the pitch.
He has that rare quality of making time ans space for himself.
Howeve I think he will only thrive in a team like Swansea etc....
Unless MR can come up with something.
What a load of horseshit.
If he WAS that good he would at the very least be in the starting 11, but he doesn't so he simply isn't that good!
Its the same sort of smoke he blew up sisu's arse to get the job.
He tells it as it is? He talks utter bollocks!
What a load of horseshit.
If he WAS that good he would at the very least be in the starting 11, but he doesn't so he simply isn't that good!
Its the same sort of smoke he blew up sisu's arse to get the job.
He tells it as it is? He talks utter bollocks!
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