Coventry City: John Fleck a key man for Sky Blues, says Mark Robins
MARK Robins is looking forward to giving summer signing John Fleck a starting role for Coventry City.
Andy Turner
Get the Sky Blues transfer latest, team news, match updates and analysis delivered straight to your inbox
The Sky Blues boss has been impressed with the former Rangers wonder-kid and can't wait to get him fully fit to fire the team up the League One table.
Fleck helped turn the game in City's favour with his quality on the ball when he went on as a substitute at Oldham on Saturday, and although tonight's Ricoh Arena clash with third placed MK Dons might be too early for a place in the starting line-up, Robins said: "Flecky is going to be a really good player for us.
"I think he's got something special, certainly at this level, and we've got to develop that. He would be in the starting line-up had he not had the injury lay-off but we've got to be careful, give him minutes on the pitch before we look to start him.
"Against Carlisle we couldn't get him on the ball and it was difficult to ask him to play against Arsenal straight after that. But he makes a difference when he goes on. I can see that, the supporters can see that, so I'm looking forward to seeing a fully-fit John Fleck."
The 21-year-old Scot was involved in the build-up for Cody McDonald's late winner at Boundary Park, and the striker is another player Robins is looking forward to getting going and back to the form that bagged him 25 goals for League Two Gillingham two seasons ago.
"Cody is a good player," said the manager who had the squad training at the Ricoh yesterday to get them more familiar with the stadium. I saw the goals he scored for Gillingham and some of them are outstanding.
"He just ends up in a position where he scores goals but he needs to be fitter, for me, and once we get these games out of the way and get a free week, we can start to do that.
"At the minute we have to use the games as a fitness base because the other days are recovery so with two days a week it is more difficult. But we have to make sure he is in the right physical state and he'll score goals because he gets in the right areas. So I have watched him and his runs are sensible and good.
"Also Callum Ball, he's 19 and he can score a goal. He's big, he's powerful, he's strong and he's got to realise he will grow into his body with his strength and use that properly.
"I think Flecky can wade in with a goal, Carl Baker can score a goal and Gary McSheffrey is under-performing in terms of his goal output. He needs to play in better goal scoring areas and be ready for any drop downs that come his way but, in all fairness, we're capable of scoring from all over the pitch and they have got to realise that."
The one thing that has changed since Saturday's ugly win on the road is the mood among the players.
"Heads are high; you can see a change in them," said Robins who revealed City have "one or two injury niggles" from the weekend.
"Hopefully we can carry that on in two home games against two good sides in MK Dons and Bournemouth.
"Saturday has given us three points and it's given us some confidence. The atmosphere around the place has changed – we've got people talking to each other for a change.
"The supporters were happy and certainly showed their emotions and it gives us a platform."
As for tonight's opposition, Robins said: "It's going to be a good test. I saw them against Sunderland and they're a decent side. They played some great football but Sunderland had the superior striking power and managed to get two good goals.
"I expect them to move and pass and probe, have a real go, and the ball will be on the floor. We need to be on our toes, switched on at all times, and pass the ball like we know we can do and try to out-play them."