ECHOSPORT talks to Coventry Telegraph reporter Andy Turner ahead of tomorrow’s game at Roots Hall.

What have you made of the season so far?

“It’s been a bit of a slow start for the Sky Blues, who have played reasonably well apart from two games - a 2-0 defeat at Blackpool when they were awful and 3-1 defeat at Bristol Rovers when they were 3-0 down inside the first 23 minutes - but not always got the results they’ve perhaps deserved for their efforts.

"They’ve just come through a really tough run reasonably well, having beaten Barnsley, held Sunderland to a draw, lost narrowly to Portsmouth and beaten Charlton away.

"They followed up the Charlton victory with three points at home to Wycombe so travel to Southend looking for a third win on the spin for the first time this term.

“Having brought in nine new senior players in the summer it has taken time for the team to gel and goals have been hard to come by despite creating plenty of chances at times.”

What were the hopes for Coventry at the start of the season?

“The same as they are now really.

"Although there is no remit from the board/owners, Mark Robins wants his side to be pushing for the play-offs again this season.

"They have certainly got enough strength in depth in the squad to be pushing in the top half of the table but it’s just a question of getting a bit of consistency and the goals to start flowing.”

Who is seen as the dangerman?

“Luke Thomas is a threat with his pace and skill on the wing and should really be close to double figures in terms of goals given the amount of chances he has created for himself, but he is yet to get off the mark!

“Conor Chaplin scored his first goal from open play last weekend and has also enjoyed good chances to score, so the hope is that the floodgates will open now that particular monkey is off his back.

"He’s a hard working striker with terrific movement and works well with the big and muscular Jonson Clarke-Harris, who is a presence in both boxes.”

What’s the team news for the weekend?

“Mark Robins is hoping to have 22 fit players from which to choose for possibly the first time this season.

"He has competition in every single position and could almost field two sides!

"Full-backs Brandon Mason and Jack Grimmer could come back into contention following spells out with injury, while left midfielder Jordan Shipley is back from international duty with Ireland U21s.

"The only outstanding injury is to centre-forward Max Biamou.”

What’s the predicted starting line-up for Saturday’s game?

Burge, Sterling, Willis, Davies, Brown, Bayliss, Kelly, Doyle, Thomas, Clarke-Harris, Chaplin