Coventry City wrap up their season at the CBS Arena on Saturday when several players will be saying farewell to the Sky Blues
Mark Robins is demanding his Coventry City players go out on a high this weekend when they host Queens Park Rangers at the CBS Arena in the last match of the 2023/24 campaign. As well as being the club’s annual Legends Day celebration, honouring players from the past, it will also be a day when Sky Blues fans could be saying farewell to up to eight current performers, both out of contract and some with deals that are not due to expire for another 12 months.
First things first, Mark Robins’ men need to get a final three points on the board to round off another memorable season in which clear progress has been made in certain departments, and setbacks experienced in others. But as the club prepares for another busy summer transfer window there is expected to be plenty of comings and goings as the manager strives to strengthen and do even better next time around.
Here we take a look at the players who the fans might just be seeing for the last time, whether that be on the pitch or during the lap of honour at the end.
The goalkeepers
One man who is definitely leaving the club for pastures new is Simon Moore. The 33-year-old had one cracking season with the Sky Blues when he first joined from Sheffield United but was replaced by Ben Wilson last year and slipped to third choice and pretty much out of the playing picture this term. Out of contract, the consummate professional will be moving on.
Although under contract for another 12 months, Wilson appears to be at a crossroads in his City career. Having earned No.1 status last season when he racked up an incredible 22 clean sheets and was named in the EFL Team of the Season after helping the Sky Blues to the Championship play-off final, the 31-year-old has lost his place to last summer arrival Brad Collins this season.
Although Collins has made a number of mistakes in recent weeks, Wilson has not been recalled to the side and that might just suggest the manager is thinking that it’s time for a change come the summer. Wilson, meanwhile, having enjoyed a season of first team football in 2022/23, may well be eager for more rather than be content to continue as an understudy. But the bottom line is that Robins will almost certainly be looking to strengthen the position this summer after City have leaked too many goals this time around.
The defenders
This is an area that might, perhaps, throw up one of the biggest shocks of the summer. Jake Bidwell has established himself as a firm fans’ favourite over the last two campaigns when consistency and solidity have become words synonymous with his performances. And the 31-year-old has arguably got better, clearly benefiting from the change in formation to a back four where he operates more efficiently as a left-back rather than wing-back.
Fans may recall the defender was all set for a move to Birmingham some 16 months ago when City attempted to sign Jay Dasilva from Bristol City in January 2023. Dasilva eventually came in last summer and immediately kept Bidders on the bench until the former Swansea man regained the shirt on merit. It’s been an indifferent first season for former Chelsea prospect Dasilva, who worked under Adi Viveash at the London club, but hopes are high for much more to come from the player. But it’s a position that has lacked something since the departure of Ian Maatsen and, that being the case, don’t be surprised if City actively look to strengthen this summer, and Bidwell could well be the player to make way for any incoming talent.
The other defender whose future is uncertain is Luis Binks. The 22-year-old wants away from his parent club Bologna, where he is still under contract, but will have been frustrated with his lack of game time during his season-long loan with the Sky Blues when he’s been limited to 22 appearances. He did, however, catch the eye at Wembley against Manchester United and would have been handed a run in the side had it not been for picking up an Achilles injury against Hull in the following match. He’s a good age and fits City’s development model, so it will be interesting to see if the club make a move to sign him on a permanent basis. Whatever happens, the centre-half has expressed a desire to return to England on a permanent basis to further his career.
The midfielders
Top of the list is Callum O’Hare whose name and brilliant song will, no doubt, be sung louder than ever in what many expect to be his farewell appearance at the weekend. Out of contract and declining the offer of fresh terms with clear ambitions for the Premier League, the 26-year-old is expected to bring an end to an outstanding five years at the club by leaving on a free transfer.
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