With a deadline day surprise, Coventry City manager Mark Robins tried to pull another enigma out of Doug King’s hat. Following his insistence on Tuesday night that the team would not be making any acquisitions, the Sky Blues manager wasted King’s money on exciting winger Ephron Mason-Clark of Peterborough United.
The 24-year-old forward, who signs a four and a half-year contract with the Posh for an undisclosed fee, has an impressive resume, having scored 15 goals and dishing out seven assists in 30 games across all competitions this season. Fans of the Sky Blues won’t get to see the player until the following season, though, as City has reluctantly agreed to loan him back to the promotion-chasing selling club for the remainder of the campaign.
Along with Victor Torp, he is the only new player the team has signed in January. Kyle McFadzean, Yasin Ayari, and Tom Costello have all left the CBS Arena, and young striker Justin Obikwu has gone to Grimsby Town on loan. What state will Mark Robins’ team be in going into the last few months of the 2023–24 season, given that they have 17 games left to win in order to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive year? Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner evaluates the circumstances here.
Stronger or weaker after the window?
After acquiring ready-made talent in Victor Torp, who has made two memorable appearances and scored a breathtaking goal on his debut, the team is definitely stronger. Although he still needs to gain strength after missing six weeks due to the Norwegian winter break, the 24-year-old Dane has stepped right into the starting lineup and looks the part. He looks after the ball, is self-assured, and has an eye for goal. In addition, he is a great set-piece performer and is a great age—not a raw, fresh-faced teenager, but still young enough to continue growing.
Ephron Mason-Clark is another example of proven quality added by City, albeit with an eye towards the long run because the player can’t help the team push for the playoffs. The forward, who is also 24 years old, has shown his mettle in League One and will give City’s attack a thrilling new facet next year. His primary role is that of a left winger, which should give Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, on the right, the ideal counterbalance.
Haji Wright has been used in that capacity thus far, but Mason-Clark’s summer arrival will give Robins more options and competition on that side of the pitch, possibly opening the door for Wright to be used down the middle. When considering the bigger picture, it’s a win/win situation because one of Peterborough’s best players is a former Barnet lad who can also play on the right or as a striker. Not so much for the present, though, which is what most fans will be worried about, and rightfully so.
Mason-Clark would have been the ideal solution to help give City that extra bit of magic to help them reach their goals this season. Robins had targeted a left winger in the window. Therefore, even though City has improved in the middle of the park, they are not any better in the wide position that may determine whether they cross the queue or not.
Sheaf injury the only concern
The full extent of Ben Sheaf’s injury is still unknown, but any extended absence for City is a blow because of how important he is to the team. The good news is that Jamie Allen is a tried and reliable option, Torp has added genuine quality, and Josh Eccles has stepped up nicely this season. In addition to using the adaptable Joel Latibeaudiere in the holding role, City has also retained Liam Kelly, who offers seasoned backup should the need arise.
Fadz farewell
Even though Kyle McFadzean’s departure, which ended an incredible four and a half years of service, saddened both the player and the supporters, City now have more than enough cover after moving to a back four. Robins only requires two centre backs at a time; his preferred combination is Bobby Thomas and Liam Kitching, with Joel Latibeiudiere and Luis Binks providing cover. Therefore, the move made sense for all involved, and aside from not having such a great character in the dressing room, City are not inherently weaker as a result. Though Fadz would still have been the epitome of professionalism, let’s face it, it would not have been good to have a frustrated and unhappy player in the camp.
Continuing to evolve and bigger picture
It is evident that Mark Robins’ team is still developing, as the team is willing to invest in high-caliber players instead of enhancing the roster with a few select loan signings. Instead of depending solely on one talented striker, City signed 11 new players in the summer, and they have since established themselves and contributed to the formation of a stronger and more well-rounded squad with goals from multiple players.
The two new players the team signed in January come during a notoriously tough window and should strengthen the squad even more going forward. Mason-Clark’s injury should have prevented him from playing until the following season, as he would have given City’s promotion push much-needed strength.
More work will need to be done in the summer, not the least of which will be finding a replacement for Callum O’Hare, should he decide to leave the club as appears likely. But since he’s going to be there for the duration of the season, City should be well-positioned to challenge for the play-offs, provided everyone stays healthy.
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