Coventry City notebook from Coventry Live as we take a look at what’s going on in and around the football club this week
Only the second victory of the 2023–24 season, Coventry City returned to winning ways at the weekend with a much-needed first victory away from home. Both Josh Eccles and Ellis Simms started their Sky Blues accounts for the season with outstanding goals, each coming either side of a fantastic strike from Josh Eccles.
The focus of Mark Robins’ team will now be on a doubleheader at the Coventry Building Society Arena over the course of four days, beginning on Wednesday night with Blackburn Rovers and ending on Saturday with Norwich City in the West Midlands. Can City build on their 3-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers by winning two straight to open the season?
Only time will tell, but the players’ confidence will be strong as they get ready for their test against two teams that, like many Championship clubs this season, have had trouble maintaining consistency. This week’s events surrounding the football team are examined. READ MORE: QPR v Coventry City winners and losers as Mark Robins vindicated and pressure mounts
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Special connection
At the weekend, the amazing Sky Blue Army was having a great time again. 2,750 traveling supporters made the trek to West London and really occupied Loftus Road the entire time.
The players heading over to the away end to thank the fans for their support and soak in the adoration was reminiscent of the play-off run from the tail end of last season, and it was wonderful to see such joyous scenes at the final whistle. As that unique bond between the throngs on the terraces and the manager and his charges persists, Mark Robins and his team also walked over to express their gratitude
The number of City fans there, meanwhile, was the fifth highest turnout by an EFL club behind Sunderland (3,886) at Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester City (3,270) at Blackburn, Leeds United (2,825) at Southampton and Bolton (2,784) at Port Vale.
Injury boost hint
Ben Sheaf, Kasey Palmer, and Milan van Ewijk were his three most recent injured players. Mark Robins suggested on Friday that “one or two” of them would return this week, but he would not specify which players. According to their initial prognosis, all three of them — one with a torn quad muscle and two with adductor strains — would be out for six to eight weeks.
The City manager refused to comment when pressed more about the returns over the weekend, but he did suggest that Wednesday’s CBS Arena meeting against Blackburn Rovers was too soon, so there should be some optimism heading into Saturday’s home game against Norwich.