Match Preview | Cardiff City vs. Coventry City
Cardiff City welcome Coventry City to Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon (15/10), 3pm KO.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
The Sky Blues’ manager is the experienced Mark Robins, who has been in the position since March 2017, after being appointed by the club for a second time.
During his playing career, the former striker came through the ranks at Manchester United, where he made 48 league appearances, before also representing the likes of Norwich City, Leicester City and Rotherham United.
Making the switch to management in 2007 with the Millers, Robins has also had spells at Barnsley, Huddersfield Town and Scunthorpe United.
His success in management has come at the Coventry Building Society Arena however, beginning by winning the EFL Trophy in 2017, as well as the League Two play-offs the following year.
Having established themselves in League One, Robins guided the Sky Blues in taking the step back to the second-tier, as they were crowned champions in 2020.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYER
One of Saturday’s opponents’ most dangerous players is attacker Viktor Gyökeres, who signed for the club permanently in 2021, following a spell on loan.
Since then, the Swedish forward has netted 20 league goals in 55 appearances, with three to his tally so far this campaign.
Gyökeres has also impressed at international level, with nine caps under his belt for Sweden, including two goals, coming against Iceland and Norway.
IN THE PRESS | WHAT’S BEEN SAID
City head into this weekend’s contest on the back of three games unbeaten, but interim boss Mark Hudson highlighted the importance of not underestimating the Sky Blues.
He said: “Seven points in three games was an excellent week, but it is only one week in a season, and you can’t rest on that. If you look at Coventry, they are a few games behind everyone so you can’t take into account that position and we know it’s going to be tough.
"We know they’re a good side and you have to respect everyone in this division. At our place we know it’s something we can look forward to, though.”
With an upturn in form since the international break, defender Perry Ng added: “It’s very positive at the moment and exciting times.
“I feel this Club is going in the right direction. We just need to keep working hard and keep believing in ourselves and we’ll see where we end up."
Click here to watch Perry’s press conference on Cardiff City TV!
CLUB CONNECTION | WILLIE BOLAND
A tenacious midfielder to represent both clubs is Willie Boland, who started his professional career with Coventry City.
The Irishman spent seven years with the Sky Blues, making 63 league appearances, before his switch to the Welsh capital in 1999.
Boland made a dream start to his City career, scoring on his debut against Millwall and going on to establish himself as a key player during his seven years at the club.
The midfielder’s notable success with the Bluebirds came in the 2002/03 season, as a fantastic campaign resulted in City winning the Division Two play-off final against Queens Park Rangers.
Boland amassed an impressive total of 209 league appearances for the Bluebirds, before departing for Hartlepool United in 2006.
