Defeat at Ipswich and a 1-1 draw at Preston North End in early December did not cause undue alarm for Coventry, especially with back-to-back home wins against Bristol City and Swansea City to follow.
But another loss to the Tractor Boys – their first at home of the season and first without a home goal since the opening day – hinted at trouble.
With Thomas-Asante out injured, the goals dried up and so did the clean sheets as the Sky Blues lost their way, particularly away from the sanctuary of the CBS Arena.
Seven games without a win on the road followed as fans became fractious, worried sides had finally worked them out.
But it takes more than just a loss of form to turn a blip into a slide. You need a rival to step up and crank up the pressure.
Step forward Middlesbrough, who turned the heat up on Coventry to boiling point with a superb run of six wins in a row at the start of 2026 as the Sky Blues’ double-digit lead was wiped out.
By the time the two promotion rivals met on 16 February, Boro were two points clear at the top – and Coventry had lost four of their previous eight games.
In the Championship’s statement fixture, the Sky Blues’ 3-0 win – with Wright bagging a hat-trick – made theirs loud and clear.
Their swagger and confidence restored, Coventry’s relentlessness returned and this time they never looked back.
Five more victories followed on the spin as they cruised into the Easter programme nine points clear at the top again with Premier League vibes well and truly back.
Inspired January loan signing Frank Onyeka grabbed his first goal, and Rudoni his fifth in four games, in a thrilling 3-2 Good Friday win over Derby and another point at Hull put the top flight at their fingertips going into Saturday’s lunchtime meeting with Sheffield Wednesday.
Despite a frustrating goalless stalemate, other results meant only a mathematical miracle could stop City’s Premier League party starting.
At Ewood Park, it was officially launched.