I think if you told Coventry fans that after 34 games of this League one season they’d be sitting seven points clear of third place with a game in hand, then they would probably laugh at you.
Their off-pitch ownership troubles have been well-documented in recent times leading to the Sky Blues being forced to play their home games at Birmingham City’s St.
Andrews Stadium, 22.2 miles away from their usual home, the Ricoh Arena.
Nevertheless, manager Mark Robins – in his second spell here – has guided them to lofty heights and has allowed the Sky Blues’ fans to dream once more.
This tactical analysis will focus on Robins’ tactical philosophy and conduct analysis on why Coventry has been so successful this campaign.
Overview
We typically associate the lower leagues of England as being a place where direct football is common and, due to the state of some the pitches, the obvious choice for a game-style whereby neat possession play is seen as impractical.
Robins has subverted this perceived norm, having his team top of the league and playing some lovely, fluid football with some interesting tactical concepts.
Coventry’s tactics have allowed a few players in particular to flourish.
Striker Matt Godden is currently standing at 14 goals for the season.
Liam Walsh was brought in on loan from Bristol City in the summer to restart a stagnating career and has gone above and beyond expectations in a vital central-midfield role putting a number of man-of-the-match performances.
Left-wing-back Sam McCallum may be the most interesting though, being recruited from Jamie Vardy’s V9 Academy, the young Englishman will be playing at Norwich City next season after the Canaries signed him in January them immediately loaned him back.
The deal to sign McCallum could eventually get up £3.5m according to media reports.
Mark Robins Formation
Robins’ opts for a 3-4-2-1 formation in possession with a heavy emphasis on possession play.
This formation morphs into a 5-2-2-1 out-of-possession.
As with many possession-based systems that play three-at-the-back, the centre-backs split wide to provide width to the build-up.
This causes issues for an opposition press as there is now greater distance to cover.
Furthermore, the wing-backs, as the only natural source of width, take up positions on the touchline to offer the pass down-the-line.
Higher up the pitch, Robins elects for a more unconventional approach by essentially playing two 10s.
This duo have a freer role to operate between-the-lines and in the half-spaces.
Striker Godden’s main tactical responsibility is to offer depth.
It is fair to classify Godden as a poacher and his instinct is to make penetrating runs beyond the last man, subsequently vertically stretching the opposition defence.
The role of the double pivot
When wanting to play out from the back having central-midfielders that are technically proficient and comfortable under pressure is imperative.
They need to have adequate spatial awareness to create passing lanes and angles to nullify an opposition press and force the opponent’s pressing structure to be excellent in order to regain possession.
The regular midfield pair consists of Walsh and Scotsman Liam Kelly.
Walsh, in particular, has been a standout performer, being able to routinely dictate games and generally acting as the lynchpin for play to flow through.
The Bristol City loanee’s superb passing range lends itself very well for Coventry’s tactics.
Walsh can switch the play well to a wing-back, whilst also being able to play the ball in-behind for Godden to attack.
In the example above we see two instances of Walsh’s influence on Coventry’s attacking play.
