Change in Sky Blues pecking order

Mark Robins has changed his Coventry City striking pecking order, admtting he cant ignore the form of fan favourite Max Biamou.

The Sky Blues boss moved the popular Frenchman up the matchday rankings on Saturday when he named him on the bench at Burton Albion ahead of Amadou Bakayoko.

Bakayoko travelled to the game and was fit to play but missed out of the 18-man squad to Biamou whose recent hot form of four goals in four games in the Under-23s has seen him promoted to second choice striker behind Matty Godden.

Robins could have named both among the subs but needed to cover all bases in terms of back-up for key positions in the team, explaining after the goalless draw with the Brewers: I needed a midfield player on the bench and I wanted Max because I cant ignore him.

I have spoken about Max. Hes scored four goals in the Under-23s and he warrants a place on the bench and people have got to fight for their place.

City face AFC Wimbledon at St Andrews tonight, looking to strengthen their grip on the top spot in League One against a side that is currently third from bottom and yet to achieve their first win of the season.

The Sky Blues, meanwhile, have been victorious in all four of their opening games at their groundshare venue but have not been able to beat the Dons in their last four league meetings, home and away, since their return to the Football League, having drawn all of them.

There are battles for the shirt throughout the squad, none more so than at centre-half where Kyle McFadzean, Dom Hyam and Michael Rose have been competing for the two available berths.

Roses groin injury late on against Blackpool last week opened the door for Hyam who was outstanding at Burton where he played a key role alongside McFadzean to help keep the teams fifth clean sheet from eight games in the division.

Yes thats good that is, it really is, said Robins , reflecting on the impressive defensive record.

And particularly so against a team that put you under an inordinate amount of pressure. I thought we defended pretty well and some of the defending in the wider areas was outstanding.

Its brilliant and they are going to have to bide their time from time to time because they are three really good centre-halves who are all performing really well at the level.

So its a great problem for me to have and they have got to fight to keep the jersey.

Asked about Roses availability, the player having travelled to the Pirelli but not involved in the matchday squad, he said: He is pain free so available again.

Left-back Brandon Mason is another who comes back into contention for the midweek fixture, albeit young understudy Sam McCallum having done a fine job in his absence with a hamstring strain over the last four games.

Brandon Mason was here as well and its good to have them available again.

He got through 90 minutes in the Under-23s on Friday and will be ready for Tuesday night.

Coventry Citys Academy Manager Richard Stevens is leaving the club to take charge of Championship West Bromwich Albions own youth set-up.

Stevens, who has been at the Sky Blues for the last 12 years, six in charge of the Academy, leaves the club with its huge thanks and gratitude after it says he has played a huge role in the development of individual players and the Academy as a whole.

The club say he has, shown incredible dedication to the club, spending countless hours going above and beyond to ensure the continued success of the clubs Category 2 Academy at the Alan Higgs Centre.

Stevens said: The decision to leave my role has without any question been the toughest Ive had to make, having been here for 12 years.

The Academy and people within it have given me some of the best times Ive had in football and also some of the toughest challenges.

The securing of the Academy training ground and Category 2 status leaves the Club and Academy in a strong position to push forward. The step to Category 1 in the Academy system is a challenge I could not turn down for my own personal development and career progression.

Although I will be around for a period of time yet, I would like to thank the Owners for full support throughout the journey and also all of the staff, players and parents who have played a part in providing experiences for all levels of development.

Its been a privilege to have been a part of this Academy.

Manager Mark Robins said: While we are of course disappointed to see him leave, his work at the Club has earned him the opportunity at a Category One Academy, and we wish Richard all of the best for the future and thank him for his hard work and achievements at Coventry City over the years.

Dave Boddy, Coventry City Chief Executive, said: We are sorry to see Richard leaving the Club. He has shown incredible dedication to the Club over many years, and his role in the success of the Academy and the impact that has had on the Football Club as a whole cannot be underestimated.

For Richard, I know this has been a difficult decision, but moving to a Category 1 Academy at West Bromwich Albion is a terrific opportunity for him and he goes with the thanks of everyone at the Football Club, past and present Academy players & parents, and no doubt our supporters too.

Russell Slade has turned to his former club Coventry City to strengthen his backroom staff at Hereford.

The ex- Sky Blues boss, who had a disastrous spell three month spell in charge of the club in 2016/17 the season City were relegated to League Two has appointed Academy coach and former player Andy Whing as his first team coach.

The 34-year-old, who holds his A License, has coaching experience with Oxford United, Kidderminster Harriers and more latterly with the Sky Blues, whom he re-joined in February 2018, helping to coach the Under-18s.

Whing hadnt officially left City as of this morning despite Hereford announcing his appointment at the weekend.

Its unclear at this stage whether he hopes to continue working for the Sky Blues alongside his new responsibilities for the non-league club in National League North.

Speaking about the appointment, Bulls manager Slade said: Im really pleased to bring in Andy, hes played for me at Brighton and Leyton Orient so I know him well, hes a really good type.

Hopefully the balance between an older manager and a younger coach will work. Im sure hell do well for this football club and Im delighted that hes with us.

Whing made close to 400 Football League appearances, including 106 at Coventry for whom he scored two goals.

After retiring through injury at the age of 31, Whing immediately joined the Oxford United Academy set-up, and has also had spells coaching with Kidderminster Harriers first team and U23s.

Most recently Whing has been a part of the Coventry City Academy, with whom he graduated himself earlier in his career.

He's most fondly remembered by fans for scoring the last ever goal for City at Highfield Road in the 62 win over Derby County in the 200405 season.

Speaking about his appointment, Whing said: Im really looking forward to the challenge I enjoy being out on the grass in the week working with the players and then seeing the results on a Saturday.

Ive played at Edgar Street a few times in my career and I know that the atmosphere can be really rocking. This is a really big club and Im looking forward to getting going.

Coventry City Supporters Club have explained their decision to revoke the membership of a life-long fan because of his association with the Sky Blue Trust.

The recently formed club, which is based at Freehold Street and has around 140 members, have kicked out Moz Baker, former chair of the Trust, sparking a backlash from fellow supporters on social media.

Rob Foster, a spokesman for Coventry City Supporters Club, says the fan group took the action after hearing he was organising a protest at Ricoh Arena owners Wasps first game of the season on Saturday an allegation denied by the Trust and Mr Baker, who stepped down from the Trust board in July.

Mr Foster also claims that the resulting Twitter storm of outraged fans has been created by fake account holders.

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Championship club come calling as Coventry City players fight to keep the jersey - Coventry Telegraph