After missing out on play-off contention in the previous season, the Sky Blues had entered the current one with a widespread expectation to compete for promotion following years of steady progress under Mark Robins.
Despite losing creative midfielder Callum O’Hare on a free transfer, Coventry fundamentally bolstered their squad by bringing in Brandon Thomas-Asante, Oliver Dovin and Jack Rudoni.
However, Coventry did not elect to acquire further fresh faces during the final stages of the summer window barring 19-year-old Belgian forward Norman Bassette, who likely represents a long-term investment.
Robins’ side fell to a slender 1-0 defeat away to Stoke City on the opening day of the season before edging out newly-promoted Oxford United in a thrilling 3-2 encounter at the CBS Arena. But they claimed just one point from their final two outings prior to September’s international break, drawing 1-1 at Bristol City and then losing 1-0 for the second time this term against Norwich City on home soil.
At the time of writing, Coventry find themselves in 17th-place, which is very much at odds with the expectation that had surrounded the club heading into this season.
Don Goodman offers encouraging Coventry City verdict
Despite enduring a difficult opening period, Goodman has cited slow starts in recent years as a reason to suggest that the Sky Blues will pick up form before long.
“Historically, Coventry City have been poor starters recently,” Goodman exclusively explained to Football League World.
“Previously, they had to play lots of games away from home to begin the season due to pitch issues and then last year there were lots of new players gelling, which is similar to this season.
“Having seen their solitary win of the campaign against Oxford, which was a great game, I thought they’d kick-on after that, which they haven’t managed to do.
