Mark Robins wants more desire from his players as he prepares to take charge against Carlisle
Coventry City manager Mark Robins is looking for his players to have a ‘hunger and a desire’ ahead of the weekend’s game against Carlisle United.
The former Barnsley boss and Manchester United player signed a three-year deal with the club on Wednesday as the club looks to improve on its disappointing start to life in League One.
Robins took his first training session yesterday in front of the Sky Blues Player cameras and he wants the players to show that initial desire to impress.
The new City boss said: “It was an interesting first training session. We did a bit to look at the relationships between the players and it started a bit slowly, but they got brighter towards the end.
“There is plenty of work to do as we need to improve communication on the pitch and foster those relationships between the players.
“There needs to be more cohesion and I think this is very similar to the situation I found at Barnsley when I first arrived there.
“They have to show that hunger and desire to play for the club. There is a squad of about 32 players here and they have to be willing to put a really big shift in for the club.
“It’s still not there yet but we will get there. Like I said before when we talked about incremental improvement, and that is something we are looking for throughout the squad.
“I think they enjoyed the training session. They understand what I want from them and what I’m asking of them. It’s really early days but they will get a shot in the arm.”
Carlisle United travel to the Ricoh Arena for their first league game with Coventry City in 37 years; when Gordon Milne was the City manager and Tommy Hutchinson was starring in his midfield role.
Click here for Match Preview
Greg Abbott’s side have had a steady start to the season but Robins knows that there is ‘nothing easy’ in what will be difficult first test for the new City boss.
He added: “Well, there is nothing easy in this league. They are well organised and they will put us under pressure and really go for us.
“There is no doubt that Coventry is a big scalp in this league and for them to come to the Ricoh is always something other sides will enjoy.
“Teams will come with that mentality and we have got to be ready for that. We have to expect how they are going to play and make sure we can overcome that.
“We have to make sure we change our mentality. The players have to be ready for the game and make sure everyone is at their best on Saturday.”