Contract renewals, Preston’s ‘no idea’ and summer transfers – your questions answered

It’s that time of year when Coventry City fans can look back and reflect on the season just gone and look forward to a busy and hopefully exciting summer in the transfer window.

Mark Robins fully intends to strengthen his squad to ensure they are much better equipped to face the rigors of Championship and Cup football next time around, after falling woefully short on both fronts in the campaign just gone.

Supporters are eager for news on the pre-season schedule and where the Sky Blues are most likely to add and how many new players can be expected through the door. Here, Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner answers some of the big questions on fans’ lips in CoventryLive’s weekly Q&A.

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Does the club have any plans to replace Dennis Lawrence as I feel he was a big loss?

AT: Yes, there was an official announcement last week, in fact, and the club are actively inviting candidates to fill the job after U-21 coach John Dempster took over the role for the remainder of the season following Dennis’ departure.

Will the pitch be torn up or is it good for another season because it is of better quality than previous seasons?

AT: Given that it looked almost as good as the season opener on Saturday, I’d be very surprised if they had to go ahead and do it again. It is of a much better quality than previous seasons and the same as the two training pitches at Ryton.

Have there been discussions about the stadium lease plan or will that be a case of talking to Mike Ashley closer to the time of the renewal?

AT: I think there is a constructive working relationship going on between the club and the stadium owners and I’m sure the longer term situation with the five year lease (there are four years left) will be addressed well before the five years are up .

Do you agree that last season’s slow start was our biggest downfall, especially as MR couldn’t settle on a line-up? There were too many changes to the first team early on in my opinion, so it’s no wonder the players struggled to gel with each other.

AT: I think the slow start was a major factor in City not making the play-offs and just a couple of wins and a draw would have made all the difference. However, City’s form at the end of the season has been appalling in the league and the reason why has been a lack of strength in depth in the squad after such a low-energy Cup run, coupled with mounting injuries. In terms of team selection, it’s no surprise that he chopped and changed because most of the players were new and finding their feet.

Any news where O Hare is going? Any news on Luis Binks – back at parent club?

AT: I don’t know about Callum, but if he didn’t already have something lined up, I imagine he’ll sit and wait to see what offers he gets. The Premier League season continues, so things will be back to normal in another week. Re Binks, he has expressed his desire to leave Bologna and Mark Robins said on Saturday: “He is someone we want to keep in touch with and see how things go. But that will come over time and it depends on a number of factors.” With 2 years left on the contract, it would cost.

Basically, you can’t give the rest of the championship what amounted to a 16 game lead. Hopefully any deal is done sooner rather than later so that MR and AV can get along and make new players fully in tune with the rest of the team.

AT: That’s certainly the plan, but it’s never that simple when agents and stubborn sales clubs are involved. Unfortunately, if the players are not free, these things can take time. But fingers crossed, eh, and the core of the team being in place should bode well.

With contracts, does Cov have a policy on when renewal discussions begin? Bidders & KP expire next summer, Sheaf & Tats the following summer. Ideally we don’t want to be in a position like Vik & Gus where we have to sell “cheap” for a year left or worse a free like Cal.

AT: I don’t think there is a hard and fast policy because every case is different. Obviously the priority is their best selling assets like Sheaf and I’m sure they will be on top of that. Other players may not be such a priority, for example Fadz, who had a verbal agreement with MR and then signed at the end of last season when he was up. They probably missed a trick by not getting Cal to sign while injured, but maybe they were aware of an element of risk. But I’m sure they will be on top of the contracts going forward.

Without Fadz and now Kells, the team seems to lack a bit of vital championship experience. It would probably go against our usual pattern, but for someone like Alan Browne, who looks like he could leave Preston, to be on the club’s radar? It would seem crazy.

AT: It’s interesting and Mark Robins recently said that they lack and need to replace Fadz’s character, and that generally comes with experience. That said, City tend to sign 20-year-olds with potential to grow in quality rather than experienced heads. But with Fadz, Kels, Moore and possibly Matty Godden, they will have light experience, so someone like Browne, 29, might fit the bill.

How many exits do you expect?

AT: In addition to losing the contract of O’Hare, Kelly and Moore, maybe two or three more seniors. It wouldn’t surprise me if Matty Godden and Ben Wilson want more game time and ask to go elsewhere, and there’s always the danger of a club coming in for someone like Ben Sheaf, although I hope not. Ideally, they keep the best players and build.

Any chance a friendly played on CBS before the season someone like Celtic or Rangers would be good?

AT: I would have thought there was a very good chance of a home game this pre-season, and probably a high-profile one, but I have no idea if it will be any of those.

Any news on a pre-season trip abroad?

AT: Nothing yet, although I’m pretty sure they’ll do the same as last summer.

Has Robins dropped any hints as to what areas/positions they want to focus on? Or the number of players he wants?

AT: No numbers, but certainly a replacement for O’Hare, a wide man to rival Tatsu on the right, central defense and probably left back, just for starters.

How many players do you think the Robins need to sign this summer? Tell us what you think in the comments section HERE.