The Sky Blues have the potential to do the double over Millwall when the Lions visit the Ricoh Arena for the first time since 2012 on Saturday...
Tony Mowbray prepares his team to face South London’s Lions in League One on Saturday, with the visiting side unbeaten in their previous three games.
Mowbray’s men arguably gave their best away performance of the season in the 4-0 win over Millwall back in August, as Adam Armstrong claimed his second brace in as many games.
The Sky Blues have the potential to jump four league places with a win on Saturday, while Millwall have the chance to solidify their play-off prospects.
The City boss has identified that league standings will act as incentive for the visitors, but the Sky Blues will be equally encouraged by the opportunity to re-climb the table and the four goal rout at the Den on day two of the 15/16 season.
Mowbray said: “They were a relegated team with a big budget, we went in to it a bit unknown really. We had a very young and vibrant team with a lot of players trying to make their way in the game.
“Armstrong on his first loan away from Newcastle, scored two on the opening day of the season and another two against Millwall. They were good days, but they seem a long way away at the moment.
“Teams have got stronger, got deeper squads. I was watching the Millwall game back yesterday and three of the back four who played are unavailable to us. It’s a changed team, but we know know we are up against a Millwall team in good form. It’s a test for us.”
With five games left of the League One season, Mowbray has insisted his squad are focussed on finishing as high up the table as possible. The Sky Blues currently lie in 13th place, but have the chance to jump to ninth despite slipping nine places since the turn of the year.
“We’ve been trying to, over recent weeks, to find performances that show our supporters and people who care about the football club that the season isn’t finished and we’ll be fighting for every point,” Mowbray added.
“A victory can potentially jump us four places up the table because of how tight it is. We want to give a good account of ourselves against a team who are pushing hard for a play-off place.
“It’s a competitive world that we are in, there are days where you have to dig deep. Millwall will be coming with a point to prove.
“Nobody is switching off, we have a lot of loan players at this club and it’s important they concentrate on the job at hand. If they begin to slip off the intensity they won’t be involved.”