Places up for grabs as Mark Robins gives early insight into Coventry City squad depth

Although Coventry City fans are still clamoring for more new signings, Mark Robins is already happy with the way his side are shaping up.

So far, the Sky Blues boss has brought in four outfield players with two insides in Ephron Mason-Clark and Raphael Borges Rodrigues, defender Luis Binks and attacking midfielder Jack Rudoni, while goalkeeper Oliver Dovin is understood to be on the way with the need a replacement striker following Matty Godden’s move to Charlton Athletic.

Simon Moore, Liam Kelly and Callum O’Hare complete the senior exits so far, but the manager has welcomed back Jack Burroughs and Ryan Howley from season-long loans, meaning that as it stands, City are down to two players higher in number at this stage of the proceedings given that Binks was at the club last season.

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Certainly, in terms of positions, the two wide players provided much-needed competition and support for the likes of Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, who almost made his own last term until injury curtailed his impressive influence in the side. .

“There’s a strength in depth that we didn’t have last season,” Robins told CoventryLive. “Tatsu is back and the return of the three international boys has also increased the number. But they all have to work hard to get into the starting line and play. They have to stick to it.”

The likes of Mason-Clark and Rodrigues may need a settling-in period, while Binks will once again battle it out with Liam Kitching for the left centre-back spot. The 22-year-old defender, however, could claim his place in the back four early as Kitching was suspended for Stoke’s opening Championship game following his sending off at Blackburn at the end of last season.

One thing is for sure, as with every new beginning, places seem to be up for grabs.

“There are a lot of games and some could find themselves in a position where they are trying to get into the team, but it depends on how they go in pre-season,” said the City manager.

“I want to see a very strong build-up this season and for us to start from the ground up, which we haven’t been able to do in the last two years when it was difficult. But we have a better chance of doing it this time. It’s a tough league again and it’s always difficult, but we’re looking forward to it, that’s for sure.”

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