Decent deadline spoiled by City collapse

Without a match to worry about then the transfer deadline would have been classed as a decent one for Coventry City.

Having sealed the deals for Herman Hreidarsson and Alex Nimely last week, Andy Thorn has also landed Manchester United midfielder Oliver Norwood on loan until the end of the season.

The manager’s key men, Richard Keogh, Sammy Clingan and Martin Cranie, are all staying put and he now has a squad that should be capable of making a decent fist of the rest of the season.

But you wouldn’t want to start from here as the politicians might say and any positive feelings from deadline day were more than wiped out by yet another stoppage time defeat.

Anyone at the match or watching through their hands at home would have feared the worst when Kevin Phillips was brought on, knowing that the Sky Blues have made a habit this season of failing to hold on to leads.

The signs of promise that Thorn’s side show in every game would be fine if this was September but as February begins it is still hard to see anything other than League One football next season.