PREVIEW: Sky Blues entertain Oxford United in Emirates FA Cup

Coventry City predicted team v Oxford United as the Sky Blues prepare to take on League One side in the third round of the FA Cup

If there’s one FA Cup round that’s probably the hardest to anticipate, it’s Mark Robins’ choices for the Coventry City team. With differing degrees of success, the Sky Blues manager has tried to prudently manage his team in recent years. However, the lineup from the previous season against Wrexham, a non-league team, backfired very dramatically, allowing the Hollywood-funded team to win 4-3 at CBS Arena and fully capitalize.

Since then, a few things have changed. First, the manager was told by the aspirational owner Doug King that he wants to make a decent cup run this time, which seems to put pressure on Robins to select his best team from the outside. But in actuality, King and Robins have a robust working  relationship and the City chief will, no doubt, be sympathetic to any injury concerns.

The most important selection seems to be whether to start Haji Wright in the starting lineup or give him a break. The USA international had to limp off at Middlesbrough on Monday due to sore adductor muscles, so he missed all of training this week to rest and recuperate.

It would be prudent to avoid endangering the striker and take precautions to avoid inflaming the area, as was the case with Ben Sheaf and Kasey Palmer earlier in the season, who both had to miss many weeks due to adductor issues. Additionally, Palmer’s return to fitness might make the Cup game a perfect chance to get him more playing time, and he could immediately replace Wright on the left of a front three.

Here Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner predicts Robins’ starting line-up.

Ben Wilson

Most clubs usually make one change, and that is in goal. Many managers use cup events to give their backup goalkeepers a chance to play and possibly earn a spot in the starting lineup. The team’s primary pick at the beginning of the season, Ben Wilson, has subsequently lost his spot to Brad Collins. The standout goalie from the previous campaign is anticipated to be given a chance to play and should offer a steady pair of hands.

Milan van Ewijk

The rapid right-back is in impressive form and a key part of City’s attacking thrust down the right flank where he has formed an excellent partnership with Tatsuhiro Sakamoto. He’s a fit lad and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be able to cope with another fixture.

Joel Latibeaudiere

In recent weeks, the adaptable defender has been used at right back and central midfield instead of his usual place in the center of defense. With Bobby Thomas practically always available, Robins can use this game to give him a well-earned rest as right-sided center-back without jeopardizing the strength of the back four.

Luis Binks

The Bologna loan defender has had to wait patiently for his opportunity, but it has now come in the last two games when Liam Kitching received a red card that included a three-match suspension. This weekend, Kitching will serve his final ban, and Binks will be anxious to maintain a solid hold on the shirt in his preferred left-sided slot.

Jay Dasilva

The summer signing from Bristol City has missed a fair bit of football since losing his place to Jake Bidwell at left-back and, although Robins rotated his squad over the festive period, Dasilva would probably benefit from a full 90 minutes and, equally, Bidwell a rest.

Ben Sheaf

One of the first names on the teamsheet and now wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of Kyle McFadzean and Liam Kelly, Sheaf is expected to keep his place to ensure City are strong and organised in midfield. He’s had time out injured over the last few months so shouldn’t be in need of a rest.

Josh Eccles

The home-grown talent has played well of late and arguably desrves to keep his place in the side, although Jamie Allen is a more than able option in a clear either/or selection for the second holding midfield role.

Jamie Allen

This would be an opportunity to offer the exuberant midfielder, who hasn’t had as much playing time as he would have wanted lately, some minutes in addition to a break for Callum O’Hare, who has played extensively after returning to full fitness after nearly a year off due to injury. Oxford is expected to play box midfield, thus City will need to exert all of their energy and legs in the middle of the pitch. If needed, O’Hare may be a really good impact substitute.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto

After taking some time to get used to the side, he’s in excellent form and will want to maintain that. He’s a major threat for the Sky Blues on the right of the front three, and an additional hour won’t hurt him in the slightest. In that time, he should be able to hurt some of City’s League One opponents. In the second half, Fabio Tavares would be a perfect substitute and provide the striker his first senior outing since he tore his Achilles 12 months prior on the Cup day.

Ellis Simms

The large center striker has been playing well lately, but he still needs some playing time to gain confidence. Despite the fact that they are a strong team and won’t be taken lightly, he will fancy himself to score against a team from the lower tier. For the young player who has been trying to find his best form since joining the club in the summer, getting on the scoreboard could do wonders.

Kasey Palmer

The playmaker would obviously benefit from an additional ninety minutes of leg work in terms of fitness as he has been in excellent form since returning from injury. Palmer can play on the left of the front three, where he can pose a serious threat both artistically and in terms of reaching the back of the net, after Haji Wright hobbled off against Middlesbrough on Monday due to a sore adductor.