‘This is not an academy’ – Coventry City boss issues squad reminder on earning the right to play
Coventry City news from CoventryLive as manager Mark Robins addresses the issue of keeping his wider squad happy, ready and motivated
Mark Robins has reminded his players that they have to earn the right to play and that he is ‘not running an academy’ at Coventry City.
Man management can be one of the toughest balancing acts for a manager, particularly trying to keep everyone happy in a relatively big squad. Although the Sky Blues boss doesn’t have a huge group, it’s a little larger than recent years in terms of strength in depth with plenty of senior options on the bench when everyone is fit.
The likes of Brandon Thomas-Asante and Luis Binks are two that have had to be patient, with the summer signing striker finally getting his first Championship start against Swansea, and then leading the line magnificently in place of Ellis Simms against Blackburn Rovers before struggling to hit the same heights against Sheffield Wednesday.
Binks, meanwhile, started the season in the left central defensive position but has lost out to Liam Kitching in recent weeks, albeit the latter struggling to find his form, resulting in many fans calling for Binks to be restored to the back four alongside Bobby Thomas.
Asked if it’s difficult trying to keep the likes of Binks and everyone else happy and motivated when they’re not in the team, Robins said: “If you saw Man Utd recently, Ten Hag changed two central defenders and Harry Maguire ended up scoring. They have to be ready to go, whether it’s Luis, Joel, Bobby Thomas or Kitch… Whether it’s Jay Dasilva or Bidders, I think we have cover in most positions and those players have to be at a level to be considered or when they get an opportunity because of an injury or it’s their turn or it’s a game they need to play in.”
