SPY IN THE CAMP: Off-the-field struggles continue to hold Coventry City back

Ricoh Arena regular HARRY SIMMONS gives the Scunthorpe Telegraph the lowdown on why finances continue to be the biggest talking point where Coventry City are concerned, even after the appointment of a new manager.

Much of the talk surrounding Coventry City this season seems to have centred on matters off the field. How much of a worry is their financial crisis, which saw them hit with another transfer embargo last week?

I don’t think many people know what will sort our club out, our financial health is not good at all.

It’s a constant worry; hearing words like ‘administration’ and ‘liquidation’ being thrown about increasingly often.

It’s been a downward spiral since we were relegated from the Premier League, further relegation to League One has hurt us both financially and has, from a playing-side, lowered the status of the club.

For the past 10 years or so it has felt as though the board are hoping for a miracle promotion that isn’t going to happen unless they risk more of their money on signing new players and keeping existing talent.

With respect, if a club like Huddersfield are able to offer our manager a reported 400 per cent increase on his salary, we are in trouble.

Even more so when he leaves claiming there were ‘broken promises’ from the owners on the club’s future.

Mark Robins seemed to have turned things around after being appointed in September. What was the fans’ reaction when he left for Huddersfield last month?

We were terrific under Robins. Most of what he did here was brilliant.

The football we were playing was the most exciting I’ve seen at the Ricoh and he brought in the likes of Frank Moussa and James Bailey, who have been excellent.

However, looking back on all of the good work is very bittersweet now we will never know how he would have done in terms of promotion.

It’s a strange situation for us to lose a manager in such circumstances. In recent years, most have been not good enough and were sacked.

Steven Pressley will take charge of the club for the first time this afternoon following his arrival as boss yesterday. What have fans made of the appointment?

Many City fans will be sceptical, much like they were with Robins, because we just don't know what effect he will have.

Pressley is a former Sky Blue, which must have had some influence on his decision.

I don't believe many managers would come to a financially-stricken club under a transfer embargo unless they believed the club had the potential and fan base to survive and progress.

He's coming from Scottish Division One, which is arguably a similar standard to League One so it shouldn't be too hard for him to fit in.

Hopefully the transition is simple and he motivates and inspires his team to finish the job and gain promotion.

The Sky Blues were tipped as one of the favourites for promotion in the summer. Why haven’t they lived up to expectations?

Being on our fourth manager this season has certainly made our promotion chances smaller and smaller.

If Mark Robins had been in charge from the first game and was still here now, we’d definitely be in and around the play-offs, if not the automatic promotion positions.

Having said that, none of the four managers played the same way and our form definitely took a bit of a dive when we lost David McGoldrick, which again goes back to our financial problems.

No manager has managed to sort out our poor home form either.

Leon Clarke appears to have carried on his form from where he left off at Scunthorpe since signing for City.

Very much so. He seems to do absolutely nothing all game then pops up with a goal out of nowhere.

I remember his two goals at the Ricoh earlier in the season and I think many Coventry fans were pleased with him as a replacement for David McGoldrick.

He has certainly provided a decent amount of goals since his move from Charlton, though Carsley has said he wants him to be more mobile and put himself about a bit more, which would improve his game.

What about Joe Murphy, another ex-Iron player. How’s he got on this season?

Replacing someone like Keiren Westwood was always going to be hard – he was definitely the best keeper in England outside the Premier League at one point.

Murphy does have his critics but this season seems to have gained a new-found confidence and has enjoyed some terrific performances and made some unbelievable saves.

It must be hard for him having the four in front of him being chopped and changed but he has had a very good season in my opinion.

Where will Saturday’s game be won or lost?

Before last week’s game against Swindon I would have said in Coventry’s ability to put chances away.

However, now it’s a case of whether Nathan Cameron has another horror show – I’m still so confused as to why we have the brilliant William Edjenguele on the bench.

If Moussa, Clarke and Carl Baker perform we should see some goals and as Scunthorpe are struggling it’s a good chance for us to add another win to our impressive away form.

As long as the defence sorts itself out we should be comfortable.