In an effort to address the midfield problem, Coventry City’s manager is thinking about changing positions.
Coventry City news via CoventryLive as Sky Blues manager Mark Robins considers temporarily moving Joel Latibeaudiere to a different position.
In an effort to address his midfield issues, Mark Robins appears to have changed his mind on the idea of moving Coventry City center-half Joel Latibeaudiere up the field. The Sky Blues’ summer acquisition from Swansea has participated in each Championship game thus far this year while playing in his natural position in the back three.
However, the 23-year-old represents his native Jamaica as a holding midfielder. When questioned a few weeks ago about the potential of using the defender in midfield, Robins rejected the notion, adamant that he wanted the player to establish himself at the back. Liam Kelly was given a shot in the side in the previous two games when City lacked penetration to the strikers due to Ben Sheaf’s subsequent six-week minimum absence due to an adductor strain.
With the news that right wing-back Milan van Ewijk has a “significant” quad tear and will be out injured for an unkown amount of time, Robins now has a new issue. If the manager isn’t confident in Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s defensive responsibility, Josh Eccles may need to switch over to cover, which would leave a gap in the midfield that needs to be addressed.
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CoventryLive questioned the manager about the possibility of using Latibeaudiere in midfield given the altered situation.
“It might… In time, it might be,” he acknowledged. “I’m not sure. I’m not yet certain. I’m trying to find a balance and a calm state of affairs, you know. However, as someone who plays in midfield (Latibeaudiere), you know that’s something that’s obviously on my mind because it’s happened elsewhere.
“But soccer in other countries is different than soccer in the Championship. There isn’t much of a question about it, but I’ll tell you what, in the Gold Cup they moved the ball rapidly. There are some incredibly talented players in that league, so something is undoubtedly going through my mind. But as I said, we’ll sort things out and see where it leads.
CoventryLive says: It surely makes perfect sense to at least give Latibeaudiere a try in midfield. He’s mobile, energetic, physical and good on the ball, and is no stranger to the role given that’s where he plays for his country. City also have plenty of central defensive options with the Jamaican one of five players currently competing for three available slots across the back three, so moving him further forward isn’t going to leave the team short at the back by any means. It may not work but, then again, it might be a masterstroke to help the team get through a sticky period without Sheaf.
