FAN FARE | Sky High Sky Blues

The Sky Blues are flying in League One and currently find themselves perched prettily at the top of the tree. Unbeaten in the league since December, Coventry have fired their way to the summit of the third tier with a game in hand. But how will this season finish for Mark Robins' men?

Playmaker spoke to Sky Blue Hub (@SkyCcfc) to chart form and gauge expectation with the League One finishing line coming into view...

'We’re top of the league' and 'City’s going up' echoed round the ground at full time on Sunday after the six pointer v Sunderland ended in a hard fought 1-0 win for Coventry.

Sky Blue fans are daring to dream of going up automatically, even possibly as champions, after their unbeaten league run was stretched to 13 games with the team unbeaten at their 'home' ground since Tranmere triumphed at St Andrew's last October.

Eleven games remain for Coventry - five home and six away with promotion contenders Oxford Utd, Wycombe and Peterborough all in line to travel to St Andrews and tricky away trips to Ipswich, Blackpool and Gillingham still in store.

The last five league games have seen Mark Robins' side take six points from away games against bogey sides Rochdale and Southend, along with seven points from three massive promotion six pointers versus Portsmouth, Rotherham and Sunderland.

These results have taken the Sky Blues back to the top of the table again, and with a game in hand the gap on the chasing pack can be extended to eight points.

©Getty / Nick Potts

Building from the back

The foundation upon which this run has been built has been a solid defence, which has kept three clean sheets across those five games.

Goalkeeper Marko Marosi has been in superb form with several key saves during games which have ensured the opposition have been kept at bay. After an uncharacteristic error versus Rotherham that led to a goal he responded with a world class save to keep City in the game. This shows resilience and admirable powers of concentration.

The back three of Rose, McFazdean and Hyam have provided a solid and dependable base for the team to attack from and Coventry are unbeaten this season when these three have played together.

©Getty / Nigel French - EMPICS

Wing-back Fankaty Dabo has further enhanced his growing reputation with solid defensive displays and he has also become a key attacking outlet for the Sky Blues down their right hand side.

His defensive work has notably improved since two own goals versus Oxford away and his sending off at Portsmouth.

Left wing back Sam McCallum’s form has slightly dipped since his high profile move to Premiership side Norwich City and subsequent loan move back to the Sky Blues for the remainder of the season. However, there are rumours of a call-up to England’s Under 20 squad for McCallum, who does look a good prospect.

The likes of Brendan Mason and Wolves loanee Ryan Giles are waiting in the wings for a chance to step in. Giles has been particularly unlucky to have only played a few minutes as a substitute so far, but he is a player who looks capable of forcing his way into the team.

📈 Most league points won in 2020 (top 4 tiers):

2⃣7⃣: 👉Coventry, Sunderland👈
2⃣6⃣: Cheltenham
2⃣5⃣: Portsmouth
2⃣4⃣: Liverpool, Rotherham, Crewe, Plymouth#PUSB @Coventry_City pic.twitter.com/NOyhNX7T7f

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) March 3, 2020

Midfield Maestros

Bristol City loanee Liam Walsh has became a focal point in midfield for Coventry: adding goals and assists to his game now that his confidence is flowing after a sustained run of games, which he’s not had during his career previously. He will certainly be playing Championship football next season, the only question is for who?

Callum O’Hare and Jamie Allen have taken over the attacking midfielder roles, in the box midfield formation adopted by Mark Robins in November due to a shortage of strikers, from Zain Westbrooke and Jordan Shipley whose form has dropped off, but who remain useful options from the bench.

O’Hare has replicated the early form of his loan spell and this has given the team an added attacking threat: his driving runs and ability to find space between opposing defences and midfield proving valuable.

©Getty / Nick Potts

Attacking threat

Up front is where Mark Robins has most juggled his resources.

Matty Godden has been favoured as a lone striker popping up with match-winning goals against Portsmouth, Rochdale and Sunderland.

He is occasionally partnered by Maxime Biamou or Amadou Bakayoko for an additional attacking threat. Both have scored important goals for the team in recent weeks in the absence of last season’s top scorer Jordy Hiwula.

The versatility of his personnel has allowed Robins to play various formations and rotate players depending on the opposition - this has helped keep players fresh and avoided burning out our younger talent.

Coventry have basically flown under the radar up until the last few weeks with the media focus trained heavily on the likes of Sunderland and Portsmouth, who have also enjoyed long unbeaten runs.

The end is near

Potentially the biggest threat to Coventry may well be the pressure to succeed with the finishing line so close.

The last two home games have seen the biggest league attendances this season at St Andrews - so how the team handles the bigger crowds and the weight of expectation will be key for a team that is relatively inexperienced.

The knowledge and know-how of Kyle McFazdean, Liam Kelly and Matty Godden will be key if Coventry are to avoid any nervous stumbles in the remaining games.

The general lack of goals is a concern - with Coventry only winning four games this season by two or more goals. However, the consistent habit of scoring goals in the last 10 minutes of games, and sometimes in injury time, shows a never-say-die attitude has been embedded in the team by Mark Robins and Adie Viveash.

Only finishing in the play-off places now would feel a disappointment and with the prospect of having to play two from Portsmouth, Sunderland and Peterborough, fans are anxious to avoid the play-off lottery experience again if at all possible.

Heart or head?

The heart says that we will win the title on the last day of the season pipping Sunderland and Rotherham with a late goal away at AFC Wimbledon.

However, the head says that we will finish second - the week in which we play Lincoln and Accrington away along with Wycombe at home looks particularly troublesome.

Ultimately, as long as promotion is achieved, where we finish is immaterial.

Thanks to Sky Blue Hub (@SkyCcfc) for a fantastic article; give them a follow on Twitter for more great Coventry-focused content!

📢POWER RANKINGS ARRIVAL📢

It was a week of upsets as all three podium spots opened up in our top 10.

🥇🥈🥉@Coventry_City, @LaticsOfficial & @CTFCofficial make it in, but who can claim top spot?

👉https://t.co/JZJcMNXIYA👈 pic.twitter.com/4hH1xL1BHw

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) March 2, 2020