Coventry City notebook: An explanation of O’Hare’s celebration, a display of solidarity by Robins, and a humorous outburst from Leicester

Coventry City notebook from CoventryLive as Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner takes a look at some of the stories behind a brilliant weekend

The Coventry City supporters are still in awe of their stunning victory over their local rivals, Leicester, over the weekend. The Sky Blue Army will surely be chowing down on that one for some time to come because the bragging rights don’t get much larger or sweeter than that.

For the first time this season, Mark Robins’ team moved up to sixth place in the Championship after an incredible performance and 3-1 victory in front of nearly 30,000 fans at the CBS Arena. This is quite an accomplishment, given that only 11 games prior, the Sky Blues were in 20th place with just 19 points. However, after seven victories, three draws, and only one loss, the team shot up into the play-off spots and beyonddouble their tally to 40.

Here, we examine events occurring within and outside the club and explore the more peculiar aspects of the M69 derby.

O’Hare’s celebration was clarified.

Fans of the Sky Blues are debating the meaning of Callum O’Hare’s most recent goal celebration. The ever-popular attacker was thrilled to pose for the cameras following his outstanding brace that helped Leicester City lose at the weekend.

He wheeled away to the fans in his exuberant celebrations and then ran straight for the cameramen, putting his two little fingers up to his cheeks, just beneath his eyes, and making a serious look.

Some believed that Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the Foxes star who gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot and later complained that Coventry had celebrated their triumph like they had been promoted to the Premier League, was playing pantomime villain for the day. However, it was actually a tribute to one of his favorite musicians—Puerto Rican rapper, singer, and professional wrestler Bad Bunny—after Tom Grennan, without a doubt.

The 29-year-old international sensation, who topped Spotify’s most streamed artist list from 2020 to 2022, is the first performer not speaking in English to hold this title. He has the second-highest streaming year ever recorded by a musician on Spotify.

Robins shows unity in the camp

One of Mark Robins’ many achievements over his seven year tenure has been to create a special bond between the players and fans, as well as a really strong team spirit despite an ever changing and improving dressing room – surely one of the hallmarks of good man management. It’s rare to see the 54-year-old get too animated during games but on Saturday he joined in the celebrations when Milan van Ewijk scored what we all thought was the 88th minute winner against Leicester and ran to the touchline for a group hug with teammates, including unused substitute Fabio Tavares. It was a nice touch from the manager and real show of unity amid a performance and result that lifted City up into the play-off places for the first time this season.

Great throw sparks hilarious strop

One of the funniest moments of the M69 derby match came when Stephy Mavididi was subjected to fierce boos and heckles from the Coventry fans as he went to take a flag kick at Singers’ Corner. The Foxes’ forward had kicked the matchball into the stands and then picked up a replacement and placed it down, before taking a few steps back as he prepared to put his delivery into the box. But he then took exception to a City fan who threw the spare back onto the pitch, landing on the new ball and knocking it away from its position. It was a great shot and resulted in Mavididi throwing his arms out in a strop.

Regards, Dave

The club’s decision to publicly recognize departing CEO Dave Boddy in front of such a large audience was a class act. A hearty round of applause was given to the CEO, who is leaving at the end of the month, in recognition of all his hard work and dedication over the previous seven years.

“The last seven years have been an amazing journey – from the depths of League Two to a penalty kick away from the Premier League,” he added in his program notes. There have been some terrible periods along the way, none more so than being forced out of the Arena and having a two-year groundshare with Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.

“Our accomplishments over the years, sometimes against all odds, have become even more remarkable as a result of the difficult times. It is a major credit to all of the wonderful people in the club that we have accomplished what we have, as a true team effort. I want to express my gratitude to each and every one of them for their unwavering support.

“I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all of the Sky Blues supporters; their support has been invaluable to me along the journey, especially during those challenging and dark moments. Your unwavering support of myself, the team, and the club has been absolutely incredible and has been a major factor in our shared success.

“The atmosphere that we have created at the Arena is up there with the best in the Championship and I urge you all to continue to help make the Arena our fortress. Thank you once again – wherever my future takes me, I will always remain Sky Blue.”

Recalling Panzo, who was prepared to be diverte

Jonathan Panzo, a former loan defender for the Sky Blues, has ended his season-long loan from Nottingham Forest to Cardiff City this week. The center-half, who played 32 games and scored one goal at the CBS Arena last season, has been called back to the City Ground following only four substitute appearances in the Championship and one start in the League Cup for the Bluebirds. The 23-year-old Panzo is anticipated to be moved during the transfer window.

Wes relocates to Australia
Wesley Jobello, a former attacker for the Sky Blues, relocated to Australia and signed with Preston Lions of the Victoria Premier League 1. In the summer of 2019, the 29-year-old signed a three-year contract with League One City. However, he sustained an ACL injury early in the season, and by the time he had recovered, the team had advanced to the Championship, making it difficult for him to return to the starting lineup. He returned to his home country of France, where he played in the fourth division, when his contract was terminated a year early. He then relocated to Romania, where he played for two clubs, UTA Arad in Liga 1, before beginning the current year with Arges Pitesti in the division below.