Sideways Sammy

Since the switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation in November, signing at least one more winger in January looked a priority for Coventry City, which they have done, except that player won’t actually arrive until the summer. Ephron Mason-Clark has been recruited by the Sky Blues from Peterborough United, having been one of the stand-out players in League One this season and is someone who looks ready to make an impact in the Championship. On the face of it, it seems an odd decision not to bring him to the club right away, but the loan arrangement appears to have been the only way the Sky Blues could have got their hands on Mason-Clark and this deal prevents other clubs from doing so over the summer.

Primarily a wide player, Ephron Mason-Clark can fill in across the front-line but seems to excel on the left side. While he is someone who has pace to burn, Mason-Clark has far more to his game than just beating defenders in foot races. Someone who can slow down with the ball and either use his skill to get past opponents or pick out telling passes to his team-mates, Mason-Clark also makes excellent runs off the ball to get into scoring areas. After making the step up from the National League to League One with ease last year, Ephron Mason-Clark seems primed for the Championship, even if he will have to wait six months for that opportunity.

This is another signing that underlines the new strategy at Coventry City of looking to recruit players who will enjoy their prime years at the club and being willing to do almost whatever it takes to get the right man in. Having to loan back Ephron Mason-Clark for the remainder of the season isn’t ideal, but it has allowed the club to recruit the player that they wanted, rather than wasting resources on a short-term boost to this season’s play-off push. While not having Mason-Clark with the team right away may hinder the team’s immediate objectives, over the longer-term, he is part of a process of building a squad full of players who will be playing their best footballing years with the Sky Blues.