Meet the opposition | Coventry City
As Swansea City prepare to take on Coventry City, we take a closer look at the form and history over the Sky Blues.
What's their story?
Once a top-flight mainstay with a 34-year stint in the First Division and Premier League, Coventry are back in the Championship after securing the League One title last season.
Formed in 1883, Coventry joined the Football League in 1919 and steadily rose to reach the First Division in 1967 under the management of Jimmy Hill.
They claimed their only major honour when they won the FA Cup with a 3-2 win over Tottenham in 1987, with Keith Houchen scoring one of the great Wembley goals.
They have fallen on hard times on and off the field since losing Premier League status in 2001, but there are signs that the famous old club are on their way back.
How’s their form?
The Sky Blues have had a handy habit of picking up important wins to keep them clear of the relegation zone for much of the season, and they showed that trait again by beating promotion hopefuls Brentford at the weekend.
Prior to that they were winless in their last five leagues games, although they did pick up a creditable draw against promotion hopefuls Watford within that sequence.
They have proved to be obdurate opponents, but wins have proved hard to come by on their travels with victories at Millwall and Wycombe the only ones picked up in the league this term.
Who's the boss?
Mark Robins. The former Manchester United, Norwich, Leicester and Manchester City forward took charge of the Sky Blues for a second time when he succeeded Russell Slade in March 2017.
After hanging up his boots after a 17-year professional career, Robins started his managerial career in 2007 with Rotherham, turning the Millers from relegation battlers to promotion contenders.
He subsequently managed Barnsley and Coventry, with his promising first spell ending when he joined Huddersfield in 2013, and twice kept them safe from relegation before departing.
A stint at Scunthorpe followed before he returned to Coventry to kick-start a revival of their fortunes. EFL Trophy success at Wembley in 2017 was followed by promotion from League Two via the play-offs in 2018. Now, he has them back in the second tier.
Who’s the captain?
Liam Kelly. The 31-year-old Scotland international was one of Robins’ first signings after taking over and has been an integral part of their climb back through divisions when fit.
The midfielder started his career at MK Dons, but made his first big impact at Kilmarnock, where he made over 100 league appearances in a four-year stay at Rugby Park.
After a spell at Bristol City, stints with Oldham Athletic and Leyton Orient followed, before making the switch to Coventry on a free transfer in 2017.
He recently returned after a couple of months out with a groin injury.
Who are the key men?
Defensive midfielder Gustavo Hamer has chipped in with five goals since joining from PEC Zwolle last summer, while Matt Godden - recently back from injury - has netted four and led the line well.
Midfielder Callum O’Hare has signed permanently from Aston Villa after an impressive loan spell last term, picking up two goals and three assists, while that area if the field has also been bolstered by the loan acquisition of Ben Sheaf from Arsenal.
McFadzean provides plenty of experience at the back, while former Bradford keeper Ben Wilson has been trusted with the gloves after taking over from Marko Marosi between the sticks in November.
