Meet the opposition | Coventry City
As Swansea City prepare to take on Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Tuesday, we take a closer look at 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 enjoying their second season 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?
Very good. Coventry have lost just two league games since the end of August and enter the midweek round of fixtures sitting fourth in the table.
They are unbeaten in the league at the CBS Arena, having finally returned to their home after a period playing at Birmingham's St Andrew's Stadium, and there is a real confidence and feelgood factor around the club.
That confidence was underlined by their recent 4-1 walloping of promotion hopefuls Fulham.
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 spell out with a knee injury.
Who are the key men?
Viktor Gyokeres, who had a spell on loan with the Swans last term, has made an outstanding start to the new campaign after turning a loan stint with the Sky Blues into a permanent move.
The Sweden international has nine goals to his name from 15 appearances this term, while Matt Godden has chipped in with four of his own and they also have the experience of Martyn Waghorn on their books.
Coventry can call on the energy of Callum O'Hare in midfield, while Dom Hyam and Kyle McFadzean are important figures at the back.
