Latest news with #MarkRobins
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Dealing with 'hand grenades' at Stoke tough
Mark Robins has said that his first few months as Stoke City manager have been "really difficult" because of having to deal with "so many hand grenades" from the situation he inherited following the departure of Narcis 55, replaced the Spaniard, who was sacked after just three months in the job, at the start of the year to become the Potters' third manager of the season - and fourth permanent boss in 13 after a prolonged struggle to escape the fringes of the Championship relegation picture, Stoke finally secured their status in the division with a final-day draw with Derby result saw the Potters finish just two points above the bottom three and left Robins reflecting on his four months at the helm."That was a really difficult period," he told BBC Radio Stoke."When I came in on 1 January to now, I don't think I've experienced so many hand grenades thrown in and dealing with them." Stoke is Robins' seventh management role at a sixth different club after his two spells with Coventry City, who he left for the second time in October after more than seven has faced rebuilding Rotherham after a 17-point deduction over the club's exit from administration in 2007-08, relegation battles with Scunthorpe and Huddersfield Town and an eviction notice from their home ground by the stadium owners during his second spell with the Sky Blues."I've had some horrific experiences in management but this has been really challenging to say the least," Robins said."All of it - you're coming into a new club, you're meeting new players and personalities, you're getting to know them, trying to stamp your ideas on things and how you want to move things forward."But this is a really good football club with brilliant ownership."We've got to deal with bits and pieces over the summer." 'I didn't come here for a relegation battle' Key to that will be changing a pattern of perennial underachievement for a club that has failed to muster a serious promotion bid since being relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2017-18 fact, this past campaign has seen Stoke finish in their lowest league position (18th) with their worst points return (51) in the seven seasons since."We're desperate to make this a success," Robins said."The things we're putting in place will take time to come to fruition. We want to build something special. I didn't come here for a relegation battle. "Whether it's me taking them back into the Premier League or someone else, because we've done the work, then I'm not bothered. It's not about me."It's going to be a summer of hard work. It's a really good time to make some decisions and we have to get those decisions right."
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Coventry City vs Sunderland prediction, odds and betting offer
Coventry City secured the play-offs in dramatic style on the final day of the season and will be facing Sunderland who sit bottom of the form table The Championship play-offs are setting the stage for an intriguing semi-final showdown between Coventry City and Sunderland. Coventry's journey to this point is largely credited to Frank Lampard, who stepped in to replace Mark Robins when the team was languishing in 17th place, just two points clear of relegation danger. Despite a late-season scare that threatened to derail their progress, Coventry held their nerve on the final day, securing a crucial victory over Middlesbrough to clinch fifth place. Now, they are eyeing a second play-off final appearance in three years. Their opponents, Sunderland, had already secured their play-off spot with five games to spare. The Black Cats started the season in blistering form under Le Bris, winning nine of their first 12 league matches and leading the Championship table by November. However, their momentum waned significantly, as they managed only 12 wins in their final 34 games, collecting fewer points than six other teams from November onward. Coventry have historically been stronger in the latter half of the season over the past few years. This trend made the decision to part ways with long-standing manager Mark Robins in early November surprising, even though the team was struggling at 17th place and trailing leaders Sunderland by 15 points. Under Frank Lampard's leadership since late November, Coventry have amassed an impressive 52 points from 29 games—only surpassed by promoted sides Burnley and Leeds. As they prepare to face Sunderland, Coventry will be looking to continue their remarkable turnaround and keep their Premier League promotion hopes alive. Coventry City vs Sunderland Odds 18+ | Gamble responsibly | | Odds subject to change Coventry City vs Sunderland Betting Tips Both teams to score - Evens (CopyBet) Ellis Simms to score anytime - 5/2 (CopyBet) 18+ | Gamble responsibly | | Odds subject to change Coventry City vs Sunderland Betting Offer Bookies CopyBet are offering new customers £60 free bets when they place a £20 qualifying bet. Simply register and bet £20 on a single bet on the match on minimum 1.9 odds and CopyBet will give you three free bets worth £20 each to place on football, horse racing and other popular sports too. Full T&Cs apply. New UK customers only. The qualifying bet should be either a Single or Acca (2+ selections) bet, start at £20, have 1.9 or greater odds and must be settled within 7 days of opt-in. 3 Free bets include: 1 x £20 Free bet Racing (Horse Racing or Greyhound Racing); 1 x £20 Free Bet Live Football; 1 x £20 Free Bet Live. Max payout – £500. 7-day expiry. To unlock the offer, complete the first deposit via the banking app (Open banking). 18+. Gamble responsibly Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too. We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Robins reacts to Derby draw that seals survival
Stoke City boss Mark Robins spoke to written media after the Potters had their Championship survival sealed with a goalless draw at Derby County."It was a rubbish game but we both ended up getting what we needed, so that is the most important thing," he said."The game was so lacking in quality it's frightening, but understandable in the circumstances."The players managed themselves really well during the week and managed themselves through the game well today."Since I came in [to Stoke] in January, it has been a really tough period - I think one of the toughest of my career. It has been really difficult because I'm the third permanent manager and fourth voice they have had."It's been a lot of upheaval. This team should never have been anywhere near the bottom, it's a mid-table team at worst. And had everyone been fit and we'd been in earlier, things wouldn't have got down to this day."But thankfully we have managed to come out the other side OK."
Evening Standard
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Evening Standard
Coventry vs Sunderland: Championship play-off prediction, kick-off time, TV, team news, h2h, odds
For Coventry to be in with a chance of promotion to the Premier League, a lot of credit must go to Frank Lampard. When he took over from Mark Robins, the side were 17th in the table and only two points above the relegation zone.
Daily Mirror
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Luton Town's Kenilworth Road on fire as crews tackle blaze at famous old ground
A fire broke out in the laundry room at Luton Town's Kenilworth Road stadium ahead of their Championship clash against Coventry City on Saturday Fire crews tackled a blaze at Luton Town's Kenilworth Road stadium on Friday night. The fire started in the laundry room at the ground ahead of the Hatters' Championship clash against Coventry City on Saturday. Pictures emerged on social media of the fire, leading to speculation the fixture could be in doubt. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue were called to tackle the blaze. But the Hatters moved to allay any fears the match could be cancelled and said the fire had been contained. The club said in a statement: "We would like to advise supporters that following reports of an incident at Kenilworth Road this evening, there is no disruption to tomorrow's fixture with Coventry City taking place. "Smoke was found to be coming from a small appliance that had caught fire in the stadium's laundry room, which was contained within that area and has been dealt with swiftly to prevent any substantial damage. "We would like to offer a huge thank you to Beds Fire & Rescue for their quick intervention, along with club partners and staff who are also on site to help resolve the issue and ensure that everything is now safe." Saturday's match is a crucial one at both ends of the Championship table. Despite back-to-back wins, Luton are still staring down the barrel of a second successive relegation after a nightmare return to the second tier. The Hatters dropped out of the Premier League after a solitary season in the top flight, which came courtesy of victory over Saturday's visitors Coventry in the playoff final at Wembley. Luton sit 22nd, inside the relegation zone by virtue of goal difference, with just two fixtures of the season remaining. They travel to the Hawthorns to face West Brom on the final weekend. Coventry, meanwhile, are eyeing a first return to the Premier League since their relegation in 2001. They have enjoyed a remarkable turnaround under Frank Lampard after the Chelsea icon replaced Mark Robins in the CBS Stadium dugout earlier this season. That run of form has seen them storm their way into playoff contention, and the sit in sixth, three points clear of seventh-placed Middlesbrough, ahead of their trip to Luton. But the Sky Blues do face Boro on the final day of the season, meaning three points could be critical on Saturday.
