Mark Robins has told how he has food for thought ahead of this weekend’s trip to the Kassam Stadium to face Oxford United.
City head into the game looking to pick up their first three points on the road this season, following two draws and a defeat in recent outings.
Earlier this week, several first team players made an appearance for the Under-23s at the Alan Higgs Centre against Sheffield Wednesday Under-23s, which gives the Gaffer options.
He said: “There’s always food for thought because we have as strong squad and it gives me plenty of options.
“You need that throughout the season. If you look at last season, we lost one or two at key parts in the season and the young players made the step up
“Tom Bayliss was one of those and he has had a phenomenal year and I think we have a good blend and the players have to fight for a shirt and a starting berth.
“When they play they have to be ready to take their chance, it’s as simple as that and it’s a case of having the strongest squad possible because of those who will be missing out through injuries and suspensions throughout the season, because we have to compete at this level and the level has gone up since we last played int his division.
“Teams are spending money and having a real good go in many ways that their club allows and we do it in a way where we give younger players opportunities.
“If they are consistent then they will stay in the team and hopefully we grow together and move on up the leagues together.”
The Sky Blues will look to this weekend’s televised game as way to get back to winning ways in front of the Sky cameras.
Robins is looking to start to turn his sides performances into points, but also continue to develop a philosophy at the club.
“The overall aim is points, but at this point in our development it’s about instiling a philosophy and a way of playing and trying to get the confidence in players and keep going.
“I know they’re enjoying their football and that has to be the key to why we all play it and if the players are enjoying it then the supporters will be enjoying it, but they’ll just be frustrated that we aren’t converting more of our chances, but that will come.”