TRADITIONAL POOR END TO THE SEASON CONTINUES
So the Sky Blues current poor form continues, with the club recording just one win in the last nine games which has included three successive defeats, but in a way, shouldn't we be expecting this?
Many factors come into play towards the end of the season particularly for clubs like us that don't really have anything to play for (although mathematically we are in a relegation fight), the main one is that the opposition are scrapping for points and well enter games needing to win rather than wanting.
When manager Chris Coleman took over from Ian Dowie, one of his first tasks was to steer the club away from relegation and although initial results were positive, a poor run of form towards the end of the campaign pushed the Sky Blues to the brink of relegation and we were only saved by local rivals Leicester who were relegated at our expense.
This time last season the club were never in with a play-off shout, however they had managed to keep their distance from the relegation zone and found themselves with nothing to play for and it seemed to show. Disappointing final performances at home to Watford and most notably away at Ipswich didn't really give fans anything to smile about as the club picked up just four points from a possible 24 in the final games of the 2008/09 season.
With just four games to go and yet again nothing to play for, what Chris Coleman must emphasise is that people are still paying to watch the Sky Blues play, both at home and away. Supporters with season tickets will want justification before they renew for next season. Paying fans on the gate will want a reason to watch their team or stay at home or in the pub and keep updated on Soccer Saturday.
The clubs lack of form has understandably angered supporters. Fantastic performances away at Leicester and West Brom have somewhat been overshadowed by disappointing displays at Reading and at home to Derby. Cheers have been replaced with boos and the players must respond to win back their supporters.
Sky Blues midfielder David Bell is not only disappointed by his personal form, he is also concerned with the team performance which is something they need to change in order to get the fans back on their side starting at the Ricoh Arena this Saturday, he told the Coventry Telegraph.
"We have got Preston at home this week and it is a game we think we can win and if we apply ourselves the way we did on Saturday then, being in front of our home fans, I am sure we can get a result against Preston this weekend.
We have been on a bad run and it would be nice to get a result for the supporters and maybe win them back a bit. They have to remember that we are just as gutted as they are on this bad run,"
It's clear the players are doing all they can to turn things around once more and salvage their season by finishing in the top-half of the Championship, but performances must improve because although the club narrowly missed out on the promotion pack a few weeks ago, they could get wrongly labelled relegation candidates should their dismal form continue.
PUSB