Under the direction of the team’s “excellent” management and coaching tandem of Mark Robins and Adi Viveash, Radio Five analyst Sam Parkin is supporting Ellis Simms and Haji Wright to guarantee a play-off position for Coventry City. At Huddersfield Town on Friday, the dynamic twin spearhead once again proved to be the difference. Simms scored twice in the first half to extend his goal tally to 12 goals in his previous nine games, and Wright’s extra-time winner ended the Terriers’ comeback.
And as the Sky Blues battle for a top-six berth in the final weeks of the season, Parkin, a hugely successful forward man throughout his lengthy League career, anticipates more of the same.
“They may have the best attacking players in the division right now, along with Leeds,” he remarked. “This is an amazing turnaround for Ellis Simms, who was receiving criticism from a significant percentage of the fanbase previously.” He is a genuine physical outlet for any club, as I recall watching him for Everton in the Premier League.
Of course, he may still become better technically, but I’m really happy to watch him make progress. And based on his current form, I believe he and Haji Wright have the potential to have a significant impact in this close contest between Hull, Norwich, and Coventry for the final play-off spot.
Simms’s season-long improvement has also impressed Michael Appleton, who is currently unemployed following Charlton’s January dismissal.
“It takes time, and as Sam points out, not so long ago, he was receiving a lot of flak, but he overcame it and had the perseverance to see it through, and now he’s reaping the benefits.
He made his playing debut at Blackpool when he was a young player, and his outstanding loan stay helped spark their bid for promotion. He had another strong run at Hearts, so he went out there, put in the effort, and gave himself the chance to come to Coventry.
Additionally, Parkin and Appleton praised City’s managerial duo.
“I was chatting to a friend of mine about Coventry and the work Mark (Robins) had done three or four days before,” Appleton recalled.
“I believe it was just his third or fourth game as the football team’s manager. We played in the EFL Trophy final while I was at Oxford, and they defeated us 2-1.
“Mark’s success throughout that season simply serves to highlight his excellent work.” The season after, he managed to get them promoted, and the previous year, they came dangerously close to joining the Premier League through a penalty kick. It’s difficult not to give him more credit because, in my opinion, not many managers in the Football League have performed as well as he has.
Adi Viveash, Mark Robins’ No. 2, received some attention in the local Coventry newspaper this week, which thrilled Parkin.He works hard on the training field, and I think the two of them work really well together.
“It goes without saying that Mark has dealt with a ton of issues off the field and that he shines on match day. After moving up from League One, settling in, and performing what they did last season, I believe their tactical structure has been revolutionary for a number of seasons.
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