Robins trying to 'free up' Coventry players' minds

Mark Robins has managed Rotherham, Barnsley, Huddersfield and Scunthorpe in addition to his two spells at Coventry

Coventry City manager Mark Robins says he and his staff have been working on getting the players to "free up their heads and brains" as they try to end their poor start to the season.

The Sky Blues, one point clear of the bottom three in the Championship, visit Preston on Saturday (12:30 BST) where they have never won in the league in 22 visits, dating back to 1949.

They travel to Deepdale having won just once in their past six games and without an away win since 29 March.

"We've started the season in the Championship before not particularly well," Robins told BBC CWR.

"Apart from one season [2021-22], where we won the first seven games at home but then couldn't win away.

"But we worked our way into it [that season] and it feels like that's what's got to happen again."

After winning only one of their first seven games for the third season in a row, City have added one victory since - an impressive 3-0 success over Blackburn.

But a late defensive lapse cost them a point against Sheffield Wednesday in their next match, and last one, before the international break.

Robins knows their slow start to the campaign contrasts with last term, when they recovered from a poor start to finish ninth and came agonisingly close to reaching the FA Cup final after a stunning run.

"At the start of the season, I said I was bit concerned about the level of expectation," Robins said.

"You've got to manage that expectation and we're trying to do that.

"You're going to make mistakes and there's going to be ups and downs but you've got to have an understanding of why things happen.

"We've conceded too many goals that we've contributed to ourselves - we've shot ourselves in the foot."

Poor record at Preston 'got to change'

Coventry's only successes at Preston have come in cups, winning 2-1 in the League Cup in September 2000 and in the FA Cup 114 years ago.

Robins is aware that record needs updating.

"We're always looking for something we can do that we haven't done before - is there anything we can do differently?" the 54-year-old said.

"But sometimes I think you can look too deep into things - I think players are the same.

"They have to be free. We have to try to free them up in their heads and brains to allow them to flourish - but that takes a little bit of time.

"There are always opportunities but, for whatever reason, we've not won a [league] game there."

Preston have had a similar start to the season as Coventry and are one point and one place above them in 19th.

North End named Paul Heckingbottom as their new boss following the shock departure of Ryan Lowe after the first game of the campaign, and Robins says he is expecting a "slight change" in the way their hosts will play.

"They're a good side and it's always been a challenge going there and obstacles get put in your way, articles and conversations," he said.

"But there's no point shying away from that - it's got to change."