Siege mentality Sky Blues?

'I have got a good set of lads and I am not going to break that up, because when you get a togetherness it becomes stronger than individuals and we have got a real good team spirit and good group of lads, and that can overcome a lot of things."

Andy Thorn, quoted in Wednesday's Coventry Telegraph as he attempts to strengthen his squad against the backdrop of the continuing financial problems at the club and the impending loss of midfielder Aron Gunnarsson.

While the Icelander's agent is talking up his player out of proportion to his performances on the field it is another body going out of the club and one who fitted well into Thorn's preferred diamond system at the end of last season.

Reports from the training camp in Portugal show a City boss who has the backing of his players as well as the fans and this, together with his naturally upbeat persona will hopefully build a spirit at the club that can overcome the financial hurdles facing him.

The first two games of the season will illustrate well the gap in resources that exists between the Sky Blues and both Leicester and Birmingham but the likes of Stoke and Blackpool have shown in recent seasons that success in the Championship is not necessarily linked to big spending.

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