Coventry City manager Mark Robins will have little choice but to change much of his team in January when many of the players currently in the squad end their loan deal and return to their parent clubs.
Top goal scorer David McGoldrick’s loan deal ends on January 2nd, other players whose deal expire in January include James Bailey, Jamie Reckord and Conor Henderson and Robins is known to want to offload some of the players to release fund to allow for the signing of new faces.
Robins has issued the challenge to the players on the fringes of the squad and to those who are returning from long term injuries to prove to him they are worthy of selection.
Speaking to the Coventry Telegraph's Alan Poole, Robins explained, “It’s not an exact science, but when you bring players into the team you have to be as sure as you possibly can that they are ready and they will make a difference. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t but I need players who are reliable, players who are willing to give their all for the cause.
Robins publicly assessed the players who he has challenged to improve when he spoke to the Coventry telegraph.
Adam Barton: “He’s a very good footballer, the sort of player you can build a team around, but at the moment it’s difficult to find a spot for him. He’s got a languid style which means that supporters sometimes think he’s not trying as hard as he could, but that’s the way he plays and he did particularly well in the Under-21 game at Leicester last week, finding space in the hole behind the striker.
“There are times when he’s got a touch of the Tommy Hutchison about him, although I wouldn’t want to saddle him with that comparison at Coventry!”
Reece Brown: "He was in the team at the start of the season but when he fell ill Nathan Cameron came in and did very well so he kept the shirt. Now it’s up to Reece to knuckle down, show us what he can do and fight his way back into the team.
“He’s a cultured player and he’s got everything in terms of his athletic frame, his movement and his skill on the ball. But centre-halves also have to learn how to concentrate for 90 minutes and throw their body on the line when required. He’s got some work to do, knuckle down and show what he can do.
“I’ve seen him play in front of the back four and that’s a good position for him so it’s something else to think about because with a squad like ours you have to be able to use people in different positions as and when the need arises.”
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