Coventry need more 'grit' to end tough start - Sheaf

Ben Sheaf joined Coventry City from Arsenal in July 2021

Coventry City captain Ben Sheaf says the Sky Blues need to find a "bit more grit" in their bid to turn a poor start to the Championship season around.

Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Leeds was Coventry's fourth loss in seven games and leaves them above the relegation zone only on goal difference.

"We didn't start too well, didn't put enough pressure on them - maybe gave them a bit too much respect and didn't get after them in the right areas," Sheaf, 26, told BBC CWR.

"First half, we didn't really lay a glove on them. Second half, the second goal kills it a little bit and we're chasing it."

'We just need it to click'

The match at Elland Road was Sheaf's first start since the final game of last season following an ankle injury and, after playing just over an hour, the midfielder said he "felt good physically" but knows match-fitness "is going to take a little bit of time".

"I'm happy to be out there, it's been a frustrating time for me personally," he said.

Sheaf also knows now he is back in the fold, his role as skipper - along with that of the other senior players in the squad - is key to City finding their form to ease pressure on boss Mark Robins.

"We had a good chat after the game - some positive bits came out of it," Sheaf said.

"We need to remember we do this because we love it. The gaffer said 'it's a Saturday afternoon, what do you want to be doing?'

"The games are going to get tough - that's when you want to dig deep and relish those moments.

"We need to fit a bit more grit and more quality on the ball. There's lots of things we can do better."

The Sky Blues are back in action on Tuesday against in-form Blackburn, with Robins' side hoping to improve on another sluggish start to a campaign.

This is the fourth time in the past five seasons - and third in a row - that Coventry have won only one of their opening seven games.

Sheaf, however, is "sure" better results are imminent.

"We've not had too many 90-minute performances, when we've played well for the whole game," he said. "We've had some good halves but not strung it together.

"I'm confident it'll come - we just need it to click. We've not started very well over the last two or three seasons but when we find that togetherness and that bit of momentum then I'm sure we'll be fine.

"The quality in the dressing room is evident, we just haven't put it together."