ECHOSPORT chats to Coventry City fan Matty Roper ahead of tonight’s game at the Ricoh Arena.

What have you made of Coventry’s season so far?

“This season has been a living nightmare.

“After last season’s promise, we were all hoping for another play-off push.

“However, losing key players in the summer and subsequently failing to replace them has made us a very poor outfit.

“On the field and away from it, this club is in dire straights and seemingly heading for oblivion.”

Coventry sit bottom of the table and seem to be heading for League Two. What has gone wrong at the club?

“Poor decision making from top to bottom.

“Our owners continue to go about business in the incorrect way in the eyes of many, and that affects the progression (or lack of it) at the club.

“In the summer, Tony Mowbray failed to assemble a group of players capable of achieving at this level and things have spiralled downwards since then.

“Now we’re on to our fourth manager of the season and that highlights the issues we have.”

Echo:

Coventry City fan - Matty Roper

Mark Robins has now been put in charge. How have the fans reacted to his appointment?

“Robins’ return has been largely greeted with optimism from supporters.

“During his first stint at the Ricoh Arena, albeit a short one, he recorded a win percentage of just under 52 per cent.

“That number along with his personality ensures he is respected at the club.

“But things have changed drastically during the last four years.

“Everybody knows that he has a very difficult job in turning things around, but I am much more comfortable with him in charge as opposed to Russell Slade.”

What are your hopes for the rest of the season?

“We haven’t really got any hope.

“Our fate is all but sealed and we will be playing our football in the fourth tier next season.

“It will be interesting to see what Mark Robins implements as we approach the summer, but these last ten games are a ‘free hit’ for him.

“Signs of improvement will need to be shown, but his reputation doesn’t depend on us somehow staving off the drop.

“Our final at Wembley is a game every supporter would love to see us win, so hopefully he can give us the best chance of achieving that.”