Coventry City have a “big chance” to qualify for the Championship play-offs this season after beating Sunderland at CBS Arena on Saturday.
Goals from Jamie Allen and Viktor Gyokeres secured a third straight victory for Mark Robins’ men. That leaves them just five points out of the top six after 33 games played.
City were in the top six in the conversation last season but fell just short after going winless in their last four games. But former Nottingham Forest and QPR attacker Jamie Mackie envisions the chances of him coming into the middle of an open race, praising Mark Robins and his team setup.
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“After seeing them today, I really rate them,” Mackie told Sky Sports. “I think they are very organized. I think they are happy with the way they play.
“I think coach Mark Robins deserves a big round of applause. I know he’s going to be secretly looking for a play-off spot.
“It seems like the team has a very good balance and harmony about it, the way they set up they’re happy to give up a little bit of possession, but they know they have a big threat in a striker full of confidence.”
“Any of the other sides should be very careful with them. It’s a great opportunity this year; apart from the top three, if you ask me who’s going to go in (in the play-offs) I’m not going to tell you, I wouldn’t have no idea”.
Fellow pundit Robbie Earnshaw agreed with Mackie’s assessment and suggested they compete for a place in the top six. “Looking at the other teams, there is nothing more to fear here,” said the former Cardiff City and West Brom striker.
“They deservedly beat Sunderland and they will think ‘you know what? We have a chance here.’ And that must be the feeling.
“This is a very good Coventry team that could end up surprising a lot of people. I could see them make the play-offs because I feel like they have momentum. They are a good team.”
Can City make a play-off effort? Comment below!
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