The start of the 2016/17 season has continued in the same tragically catastrophic fashion as the latter half of last season as far as Coventry City are concerned.

After looking destined for automatic promotion, Coventry suddenly saw a drastic reverse of fortune and relegation form meant that the Sky Blues did not even achieve a play-off spot.

The elusive top six finish - which Coventry have not achieved in any division since the late 1960s - was once again not reached.

This season, the squad is looking significantly weaker as Tony Mowbray failed to secure a number of top targets.

Six games into the new season and a familiarly depressing gloom surrounds the club.

Three draws, three losses and just two goals leave Coventry City struggling in 23rd place with a tough away trip to in-form promotion hopefuls Millwall awaiting them this weekend.

Millwall should storm this on paper but Coventry must believe that they have a chance of securing an unlikely win.

Tony Mowbray needs to abandon his 3-4-3 formation - it is simply not working. Revert back to a simple 4-3-3 and the Sky Blues should carry more goal threat.

Coventry will still be without first team duo Chris Stokes and Andy Rose but Chris McCann could make a return and is 50/50 for this clash.

Here is the starting XI that Mowbray should put out against Millwall to give his team the best chance of an upset at the New Den....

 

GK: Reice Charles-Cook

Charles-Cook replaced Lee Burge as Coventry's first choice goalkeeper last season and will start in goal this weekend.

The 22-year-old has brilliant reactions and keeps Coventry in the game sometimes with his acrobatic saves but question marks still loom over his handling.

 

RB: Jamie Sterry

Newcastle loaned young right back Jamie Sterry to Coventry on deadline day and he made his debut in the 2-0 loss to Fleetwood.

The 20-year-old is naturally more of a right back than a right wing back so a shift in formation could benefit his performance.

He is highly regarded by Newcastle so it'll be interesting to see how he fares in League One with Millwall being his first major challenge.

 

CB: Jordan Turnbull

Promising young centre half Jordan Turnbull joined Coventry from Southampton for an undisclosed fee this summer having spent two years on loan with Swindon Town.

The 21-year-old former England under-20 international scored a brace in the EFL Trophy and is probably the first defender on the teamsheet.

 

CB: Jordan Willis

Jordan Willis will be makeshift captain if Sam Ricketts doesn't play.

The 22-year-old academy graduate has plenty of experience at first team level, despite missing the whole of last season due to injury.

Willis and Turnbull are preferred to Cian Harries - who is raw and still learning - and Sam Ricketts - who is not the player he used to be.

 

LB: Ryan Haynes

Tony Mowbray has been selecting Lewis Page ahead of Ryan Haynes but I think academy graduate Haynes should be given more faith.

He has the makings of a good attack-minded left back at this level, but he is inconsistent and prone to the occasional error.

Page hasn't cemented his place with a standout display yet so maybe 20-year-old Haynes should be given a chance to win his spot back this weekend.

 

CDM: Gael Bigirimana

Bigirimana stood out last week in a terrible team performance against Fleetwood.

The 22-year-old sits in front of the back 4 and acts as a deep-lying playmaker.

He has lost his way in recent years after bursting onto the scene as a teenager at Coventry, but now he's back with the Sky Blues permanently, he can relaunch his career following a fruitless spell with Newcastle.

Mowbray will need "Bigi" to be on top form in the defensive midfield role to provide cover for his inexperienced defence.

CM: Vladimir Gadzhev

Coventry's Bulgarian international Vladimir Gadzhev has been one of the standout performers so far this season.

The experienced central midfielder is capable of sitting deep or playing in an advanced central role so should be comfortable if played just ahead of Bigirimana in this team.

Mowbray will be relying on the 29-year-old to pull the strings for him in midfield.

 

CM: Ben Stevenson

Ben Stevenson's inclusion depends on Chris McCann's fitness but he might be a better option to start with.

The 19-year-old has grabbed his first team opportunity after impressing last season for the reserves, and is the latest exciting academy product to be playing for the first team.

The talented central midfielder has the ability to get fans off their seats, but Millwall away is a hostile venue for such a young inexperienced player.

 

RW: Jodi Jones

A lot of expectation rests on the shoulders of young Jodi Jones.

The 18-year-old is arguably Coventry's best player and certainly their most potent attacking outlet.

The number 10 can play anywhere in an attacking role and his pace, skill and directness will have Neil Harris' defence very worried.

With a bit more confidence and selfishness, Jones could open his account for the Sky Blues or provide the service for his team mates.

 

ST: Marvin Sordell

Picking a central striker was the biggest dilemma in this XI.

Dan Agyei has looked bright but is still young and raw. Andre Wright is an unknown quantity.

Marcus Tudgay and George Thomas are not starters.

So I've taken a gamble and selected 25-year-old Marvin Sordell.

The former England under-21 and Great Britain international had so much promise but his career is declining rapidly.

Coventry fans will be hoping that he can turn things around and start scoring goals again like he was at Watford.

LW: Ruben Lameiras

The jury is still out on Ruben Lameiras. No one is denying his fantastic skill but he is a bit lightweight and inconsistent in a demanding league.

The Portuguese playmaker is still young - at 21 years of age - and has plenty to learn. If he can put in a good performance then he will cause Millwall's defence all sorts of problems as he is exciting, tricky and talented.