Three To Watch: If Coventry are going to stop Sunderland, here’s how they’ll do it...

Jordan Willis

Still only 24 years old, home-grown talent Willis has already amassed over 200 appearances for the Sky Blues, captaining them to Checkatrade Trophy glory in 2017 and play-off glory last year.

Breaking into the team at just 17, the defender has become a permanent fixture at the heart of City’s defence since his debut in 2012, and he has comfortably been their stand out player this term, with his team enjoying a successful return to League One following last season’s promotion from the fourth tier.

He’s not the tallest centre-back, standing only at 5’11, but he’s as strong as an ox and possess great pace and technical ability. He’s also a real leader for Mark Robin’s side, with the local lad holding the armband since 2016.

He’s represented England at Under-18 and 19 levels and was named in the EFL League Two team of the year last season. Willis has continued his great form into this season, forming an excellent defensive partnership with Dom Hyam in the Coventry defence.

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Dom Hyam

Another of the Sky Blues key men is Willis’ defensive partner.

Signed last summer from Championship club Reading as a player who “could develop and progress”, Hyam has since cemented his place as one of Coventry’s key men, with his blossoming defensive partnership alongside Jordan Willis going from strength to strength.

The Sky Blues have managed take ten points from their last twelve on the road and, they sit just outside of the play-off spots. Many Coventry fans lay their impressive form down to the solid, organised back four that is centered by Hyam and Willis.

Whilst they may not be too potent up top, Sunderland will face a sterner test than they have done recently if they are to break the Midlands team down.

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Luke Thomas

The exciting midfielder joined Coventry City on loan from Derby County in the summer and has enjoyed a successful spell for Mark Robin’s side, netting five goals from the wing.

Thomas is another teenager, alongside highly rated Tom Bayliss, who has played beyond his years this season as Coventry have enjoyed a successful return to League One. Although his loan was originally only till January, it was no surprise when Mark Robins extended his stay until the end of the season, such was his importance to a side still hoping to sneak into the final play-off spot.

Although he was offered a return to his parent club by Frank Lampard in January, Thomas opted to say as he felt his regular game time was the key to his impressive performances this season.

The Derby County player will go down as one of a handful of successful season-long loans in Coventry’s modern era and is a contender for their Player of the Season come the end of the campaign.

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