That optimism we feel at the start of a new season can be intoxicating. Whatever happened last season, there has been a whole summer to correct things. New signings, possibly a new manager, and new possibilities.
We’re only in mid-September, but that early optimism has melted away and been replaced by anxiety for some fans. Coventry had every reason to look forward to the season, their first in the Premier League since 2001. They were coming off the back of a title-winning campaign in the Championship and were riding the crest of a wave.
Now, though, they have fallen off their surfboard and are frantically trying to keep their heads above water as the ferocity of the top flight becomes increasingly apparent. They are the only Premier League team without a point after four games and they are yet to even score a goal. In fairness, two of their games have been away to the two strongest sides in the league, Arsenal and Manchester City.
Coventry were pretty impressive in the latter of those matches, too, and probably deserved something from it. However, a 1-0 defeat at home to fellow promoted side Hull and a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Brighton on Sunday have brought stark realisation that the Premier League is a tricky business. Taiwo Awoniyi’s red card in the second half against Brighton did not help, but they were already 2-0 down by then.
When Lewis Dunk is bending efforts into the top corner from 30 yards, you know it isn’t going to be your day. Coventry are the eighth promoted team to lose their first four games of a Premier League season. Only one avoided relegation: Southampton in 2012-13.
Looking at all the teams that have lost their first four game in a Premier League campaign, it is a little more comforting. Eighteen did that before Coventry and eight of them stayed up, the most recent of which was Everton in 2024-25. We are not here to rub it in, though.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
