Coventry City got back to winning ways at the weekend with a much-needed first win on the road - a result that was only the second victory of the 2023/24 campaign. Ellis Simms scored a brilliant brace either side of a fine strike from Josh Eccles as both opened their Sky Blues accounts for the season.
Mark Robins' men now turn their attention to a Coventry Building Society Arena double header in the space of four days, starting with Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night before Norwich City are the visitors to the West Midlands on Saturday. Can City build on their 3-1 win at Queens Park Rangers with back-to-back successes to kick-start their season?
Only time will tell but confidence will be high in the camp as the players prepare for their test against two sides who have, like many Championship clubs this term, struggled for consistency. Here we look at what's going o in and around the football club this week.
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Special connection
The good times were back for the magnificent Sky Blue Army at the weekend. A total of 2,750 travelling fans made the trip to West London and, in truth, took over Loftus Road from start to finish.
It was great to see such jubilant scenes at the final whistle, reminiscent of play-off run from the back end of last season with the players going over to the away end to applaud the supporters for their backing and soak up the adulation. Mark Robins and his staff also went over to show their appreciation as that special connection continues between the massed ranks on the terraces and the manager and his charges.
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
Mark Robins hinted on Friday that “one or two” of his three recent injured players (Ben Sheaf, Kasey Palmer and Milan van Ewijk) could be back this week, albeit refusing to reveal exactly who might be available ahead of schedule. All three had been ruled out for six-eight weeks according to their initial prognosis – two with adductor strains and one a tear to a quad muscle.
Pressed further at the weekend on the returns, the City boss remained tight-lipped but did say that Wednesday’s CBS Arena match against Blackburn Rovers was too soon, which means there should be a bit of hope ahead of Saturday’s home game against Norwich.
Team of the Week
There was no surprise that Coventry City striker Ellis Simms made it into this week’s Sky Bet Championship The Team of the Week.
The selection, based on @WhoScored ratings, saw the Sky Blues star in the same side as former loan favourite Adam Armstrong, now at Southampton, and five selected from West Brom - four players (including three of the back four) and manager Carlos Corberan following the Baggies’ 4-0 win at Preston North End.
Get well soon Ronald
City fans have flooded the founder of the Sky Blues’ Uganda supporters club, Cefovid Uganda, with well wishes after he ended up in hospital at the weekend. Ronald, who set up the West African outpost a few years ago, posted on social media that his day had been made a lot brighter by the 3-1 win at QPR, saying: “...been very hard days for me with pulmonary challenges but great to see the lads getting us the 3points. Made my day bright.”
The club itself were among those telling Ronald to “get well soon,” – a sentiment echoed by scores of concerned supporters and, of course, everyone at CoventryLive.
