Coventry City suffered a further dent in their Championship campaign after conceding a late goal to lose against Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, but how should the Sky Blues line up in their latest attempt to return to form?
After ending Blackburn Rovers’ unbeaten league start, Mark Robins side were full of a newly found confidence heading into their fixture against Danny Rohl’s side, but supporters were left with anger and disappointment when Shea Charles grabbed a 93rd-minute winner.
The Championship is currently on hold due to the international break, with the likes of Haji Wright (USA), Joel Latibeaudiere (Jamaica) and Brandon Thomas-Asante (Ghana) away with their respective nations.
Mark Robins’ current system is a 4-3-3 setup, but this has experienced mixed reviews and results thus far.
With that said, here is how I believe Coventry City should line up in their next match…
Goalkeeper: Oliver Dovin
In recent Championship outings, Mark Robins has opted to hand a start to second-choice goalkeeper Ben Wilson over summer signing Oliver Dovin, but for me, this is a decision that needs to be reversed.
Dovin has yet to keep a clean sheet for Coventry so far this season but it is difficult to recall a goal that he was at fault for. Though Ben Wilson has produced a handful of good saves during his short-stint back in goal, he has also made errors which have resulted in goals.
During the international break, Dovin will be away with Sweden’s U21s which could allow him to recapture any lost confidence and prove himself to the Sky Blue Army and the team’s management.
Defenders: Milan Van Ewijk, Bobby Thomas, Liam Kitching, Jay Dasilva
Due to factors such as injuries and the international break, the back four almost picks themselves heading into next week’s clash against Preston North End.
Regular left-back Jake Bidwell is out with an injury, leaving Jay Dasilva as Coventry’s only left-back meaning he takes a place in the side.
Milan Van Ewijk and Bobby Thomas have both done enough to keep their shirts, leaving a key battle between Liam Kitching and Luis Binks, with Joel Latibeaudiere likely to be placed on the bench due to him being away with Jamaica.
For me, Binks didn’t do too much wrong to be dropped, but Kitching is a former captain at Barnsley and is likely to be the closest thing the club has to a leader in that area. Therefore, with Coventry City currently having a lack of leaders, I think Liam Kitching will be retained in the XI by Mark Robins.
Midfielders: Ben Sheaf, Josh Eccles, Jack Rudoni
Fortunately, Coventry City are in a position to name an unchanged midfield which is crucial given the amount of constant changes Mark Robins has been forced into at various points already this season.
Sheaf has experienced an injury-hit season thus far but appears to be firmly on the mend now and the international break is likely to act as the final push for him to be 100% fit. Josh Eccles has arguably been Coventry’s Player of the Season so far and for that reason is one of the first names on the team sheet.
Jack Rudoni grabbed a crucial strike for the Sky Blues against Sheffield Wednesday and is starting to contribute in the final third which gives him the edge over Victor Torp.
Torp is Coventry’s only other available midfielder due to Jamie Allen’s injury and whilst he’s a “steady” player, he hasn’t done enough to make his way into the starting line-up at this time.
Another option Coventry supporters have seen is the versatility of Joel Latibeaudiere, but as previously mentioned he is away with Jamaica and is likely to be benched.
Forwards: Brandon Thomas-Asante, Ellis Simms, Norman Bassette
During the match against Sheffield Wednesday, one issue that stood out was a lack of effectiveness from Coventry’s front three, leaving the midfield and wide players stuck on who to distribute the ball to.
Brandon Thomas-Asante has proven to be a strong presence who can lead the line well, but with Preston being a noticeably physical side and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto being injured, I would like to see the Ghanaian out wide. This would result in Ephron Mason-Clark being dropped and although Thomas-Asante is away with Ghana, I feel he is still a stronger option in that role at this current moment.
With Thomas-Asante moving onto the right-hand side, the number nine role needs filling and that should be handed to Ellis Simms. Simms can use his physicality and showed glimpses of promise after appearing off the bench last weekend.
On the left, however, I would like to see Mark Robins make arguably a huge change and go with youngster Norman Bassette over United States international Haji Wright.
Wright is away with the USA during the international break and looked a shadow of his usual self last weekend, leaving some supporters annoyed. Bassette hasn’t featured much since his summer move but proved against Tottenham Hotspur that he is a very quick forward who likes to get in behind.
Following Kasey Palmer’s summer exit, Coventry have lacked a player to cut open defences and get in behind, and that is something that Bassette can certainly bring to the side.
Could a change in formation work?
Mark Robins has previously enjoyed plenty of success with a 5-3-2 system, which saw the club reach the Championship Play-Off final two seasons ago.
Dropping a forward in favour of an extra centre-back would allow Coventry to play on the counter-attack which would suit their attacking options but with their defensive woes, this may not be the best of options at this moment in time.
What are your thoughts on this XI? Would you make a formation change?