Coventry City FC (The Bantams, Sky Blues)

I sort of found it funny - 'at risk' of a downward spiral? So I assume this is a stagnation period, or is he really deluded and thinks it's setting the foundations for growth! However, I wouldn't be too concerned long term. http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-city-owners-sisu-file-12432457 While the initial figures don't look promising for getting rid of them as they're making a profit a bit of business and accounting savvy shows some massive holes. As I'm sure our resident retired accountant will confirm, the answer to the question "how much profit did the business make?" from a client is "how much do you want it to make?" Although there IS a profit, it's not uncommon that businesses succeeding will try and reduce their profits for tax reasons while failing ones try and increase it to try and get someone to buy it and allow you to inflate the price a bit. Always difficult to say which, but there are other indications this is a business not doing well. Firstly, the directors having increased the amount of money they've taken out of the business by over 600% on the previous year. Way more than the actual profit and practically half of the turnover. If you think the business has growth potential you keep it in the business. Taking loads out suggests getting as much cash out of the business before it goes under as possible. Secondly they've moved office twice in the last few years, both times to smaller offices with lower rent. This a massive upheaval and creates inefficiency and confusion. All that to save 16k? You wouldn't do it unless it was necessary. Thirdly they've reduced their employee numbers and wage costs by nearly a third. Again this suggests a company cost-saving rather than looking to grow. I may be barking up the wrong tree and it's wishful thinking but my initial thought on those numbers is - it's not looking good.

Congratulations to Sky Blues on reaching Wembley

Mixed emotions there for me Cliff. Yes I'm pleased for all the fans and the young ones that don't recall Division One and 1987 but still want SISU OUT! That said I've not been in the new Wembley yet - the Charity Shield game was the last time I was in there and my lads will love it so I'll be hopefully going. Up the City!

I was talking to a 19 year old about this. He was really excited, whilst I was being more grumpy. As we talked I realised that for him all he has seen is Coventry in decline, so of course he is excited by this. The truth is that the future is the young lads like him, not tired old has-beens like me. So I hope he has a great day out.

A souvenir here from "COVENTRY CITY FC"s past, as it's their old away kit from the early 1980's. I've still got the socks here as well somewhere to go with it, which I'm sure will turn up eventually (amazing what you can find by accident, when looking for something else completely different !!! lol).

A "JUNIOR SKY BLUES" scarf here from the early 1980's!

Slade has been sacked. Not surprising really - his record is far worse than even Mowbray's and Venus' - and he was only employed until the summer anyway. I can only find one permanent manager with a worse record, and that was in WWI! Given the baffling player selection for Bury (4 centre backs, 4 centre forwards/strikers, 1 centre midfielder and a right back (playing in centre midfield)) it had become clear Slade had no idea what to do. Against Shrewsbury we got a midfield that ran the game, but that only happened because of two injuries forcing him into changes. I have no idea who could or should take over, but whoever they may be I suggest it be someone looking at how to deal with L2 next year - with the best will in the world getting out of this predicament is just too much IMO.

It's hard to imagine that anyone would want the job - the off-field problems are so universally known, and have been for years, that it's difficult to believe that any self-respecting coach could possibly make a success out of the position, given the hand that they would be dealt by the current owners One feels for all the long-suffering supporters, particularly like those on this forum who can recall the days when the club took its rightful place at the top table of English football, and for long-serving staff like Steve Ogrizovic, for whom any job satisfaction must have long disappeared

Suggestions are that Mark Robins is returning as manager

Confirmed. I welcome him back (he did a decent job last time) but he won't get the honeymoon period most managers get given his departure last time. At best he can hope that the fans will accept relegation provided performances and results improve between now and end of the season and they actually make a decent fist of it. But come next year they'll be expecting the club to be winning week in week out and I don't know if he can do that, esp as the budget will be slashed again and we'll once again be relying on kids. Of course the other option is he does well, in which case if a better offer comes along he'll jump since just like last time. It seems odd that he's come back given his excuse last time that he wasn't given assurances by the board and the working conditions were difficult. Well that was organised and rolling in money compared to now!

It just gets more ridiculous to me. I don't welcome him back. He didn't care two-hoots about the club when Huddersfield waved their wallet at him. Yes I know there's no room for sentiment in today's game but... TBH even Mourinho couldn't get us out of the mess we are in now. Division 4 here we come.

Just been anounced that City have sold in excess of 31,000 tickets for the Wembley final Also, City will be playing in their "home" strip

Yes I'm going Tony. It's never been the same for me since we left Highfield - I guess I could be accused of being a 'glory-hunter' however the decline of the Sky Blues has partly been the reason why my two lads have veered towards the oval ball more. It's just not been the same experience for them as it was for me when I was younger with my dad. The Charity Shield was the last time I was at Wembley so was looking for an excuse to see the new stadium anyway!

31,000 tickets sold? Where are those 31,000 supporters every match day?

Refusing to put their money into SISU's pockets