Match Preview | Cardiff City vs. Coventry City
Cardiff City welcome Coventry City to Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday evening (19/09), 7.45pm KO!
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OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
Coventry City’s manager is Mark Robins, who was appointed in March 2017 for his second spell in charge of the Sky Blues.
During his playing career, Robins began at Manchester United, where he made 48 league appearances. He went on to represent the likes of Norwich City, Leicester City and Rotherham United.
Switching to management in 2007 with Rotherham United, Robins has also spent time in charge at Barnsley, Huddersfield Town and Scunthorpe United.
At Coventry City, Robins has had success in the EFL Trophy in 2017, as well winning the League Two play-offs in the following year.
Robins also led the Sky Blues back to the Championship as they were crowned League One champions in 2020.
Last season, his side reached the play-off final, narrowly losing out on penalties to Luton Town.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | SUMMER BUSINESS
It’s been a summer of changes for the Sky Blues. Key players Viktor Gyökeres and Gustavo Hamer, who recorded 30 goals and 20 assists between them last term, have moved on to Sporting Lisbon and Sheffield United respectively.
Robins added no less than 11 new players to his squad ahead of this season, including big money moves for strikers Haji Wright and Ellis Simms. Wright arrived from Turkish side Antalyaspor and has seven appearances at international level for the USA. Simms already has Championship experience, having shown promise in a loan spell at Sunderland last term.
Other key arrivals for the Sky Blues include defenders Liam Kitching and Milan van Ewijk from Barnsley and Heerenveen respectively.
The Sky Blues have also added to their squad with the signings of goalkeeper Brad Collins along with defenders Bobby Thomas, Jay Dasilva, Luis Binks and Joel Latibeaudiere.
In midfield, Yasin Ayari has joined on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, while winger Tatsuhiro Sakamoto arrives from Belgian side KV Oostende.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | SEASON SO FAR
The Sky Bet Championship campaign has seen Coventry City record just one victory in their opening six games, having also drawn four and lost one.
Their campaign opened with a 2-1 defeat at Leicester City and while a 3-0 win over Middlesbrough showed promise, the Sky Blues have since struggled to turn draws into victories.
Their last four fixtures have all resulted in draws, including conceding a late equaliser last time out at Hull City.
Robins’ side were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup after a 2-1 defeat to Wimbledon.
CLUB CONNECTION | ARON GUNNARSSON
After representing Þór Akureyri and AZ Alkmaar early in his career, Aron Gunnarsson made the move to the English system in 2008 with Coventry City.
The midfielder quickly made an impression with the Sky Blues, going on to make 122 league appearances during a three-year spell at the club.
Moving to the Welsh capital in 2011, Gunnar became a fans favourite at CCS, achieving promotion to the Premier League twice during his time as a Bluebird.
Aron memorably scored City’s first goal in a Premier League clash against Manchester City in August 2013, with the Bluebirds going on to claim a famous 3-2 win.
