Mark Robins reached seven years in his current spell at charge at Coventry City and he reflected on his time at the helm.
The City boss marked his anniversary with a 5-0 win against Rotherham United, as City bounced back from defeat against West Bromwich Albion
That game against the Baggies also brought up his 750th game in management for Robins, something he looked back on.
This was all ahead of this weekend’s clash with Watford at Vicarage Road, which Robins previewed, as his side look to build on Tuesday’s win against Rotherham.
Seven years in his second stint at Coventry City…
“It feels longer. There has been a lot happen between then and now. It’s been mostly up times.
From coming through the door to now, the atmosphere and everything has changed beyond recognition to be fair.
Some tough times, but some really good times on the back of it and that’s assisted by the support I’ve had from everybody; staff, players, owners and supporters and that’s been the secret to that period of time and I’m grateful to everyone that has played their part.”
Reaching over 750 games in management…
“I found out the other day I’ve managed over 750 games, which is a long time and over 17 years in management at different clubs, each one is different, but you have to go in with the idea that you’re going to be there for a long time, to put things in place.
Even if it doesn’t last that long you’re hopeful that you can leave something at each club that makes a positive difference and leaves it in a better position then when you found it.
That’s something you don’t get all the time, the time. You have to get results along the way but if you can put things in place to make things better for the future for everybody then that’s the only way I know how to do it.
I’ve experience administration at clubs, moving stadiums on more than one occasion at different clubs, so there’s different feels and different ways to go about things and the experience e you glean from each role should make you better in the long run and hopefully that’s been the case.”
Coming up against Watford this weekend…
“Watford are a side that came down a few years ago and were expected to go back up at first attempt but didn’t and things change over time and people move on.
They have brought top quality players in, and they have quality all over the pitch and everywhere you look.
They’ve got a few injuries like everyone else, but not too many, but they are expected to be higher on more points for sure, but thankfully that isn’t my job.
Going to Watford is always a difficult challenge and we expect that again tomorrow, we know it’s a tough place to go.”
Ellis Simms and his recent form…
“Ellis is very calm and his demeaner is calm. You wouldn’t be able to tell he’d scored another hat-trick, he is very much feet on the floor.
He will be focused on the games upcoming and for me he is normal and for a striker it’s important, because you can see the way he carries himself that he’s confident and his confidence is growing.
He is coming out of himself. He was quiet, but he’s coming out of himself more and you want to see that personality in everybody not just Ellis.
He expects to score goals and sees that as his job and when he does it, he just sees it as that. He enjoys it a lot more than he demonstrates but it’s great to see him growing but he has a long way to go because he isn’t the finished article.”
Ben Sheaf fitness update…
“He’s trained this week so he will be available to play some part tomorrow. We said he would be six to eight weeks and we’re at about six weeks, so he’s at the front end of that, but you always expect him to be back as quickly as he possibly can because he works so hard at getting fit.
“Now we just have to make sure he’s ok, and I have got to be careful with him but, ultimately, he’s going to be around it tomorrow, I think. We have got to get through training, I need to add that, and then I will know for sure, but it’s a real positive.”
