Yahoo Sport 
Jake Bidwell lifts lid on Doug King meeting and how players feel about Mark Robins' sacking
Jake Bidwell insists he and his Coventry City players were still fully behind Mark Robins, firmly believing that they would turn things around after an inconsistent start to the Championship season.
The Sky Blues defender, who is one of the club’s most senior players amongst a very young squad and asked to face the press today, revealed that he didn’t see the manager’s sacking coming, admitting it was a shock when the team turned up at Ryton on Thursday morning to be told by club owner Doug King.
Asked about the feeling amongst the players to the news, Bidwell said: “I think it’s the same as everyone else really, it’s a big surprise. We didn’t really see it coming. Normally when I have been in these situations before you get an inkling, there are rumours flying around and you get some sort of idea that it might happen. That wasn’t the case yesterday. You think you are coming in for another day, with the lads getting prepared for the weekend and then we found out the news.
READ MORE: Interim Coventry City boss Rhys Carr opens up on 'shock' at Mark Robins exit
READ MORE: Coventry City next manager latest as Matt Bloomfield leads field to replace Mark Robins
“It’s strange and it’s hard to imagine with the manager having been here for so long, you never think the day is going to come really. It’s difficult to imagine the club without him when he’s been here for so long, so yes, it was a difficult day and there will probably be a few more difficult days to come, but the lads have got to park it because there is another game coming and we need a performance.”
Asked if it is more of a shock to the player who have been at the club for a long time, he said: “Yes, I think so. I think the first person anyone thinks about when they talk about Coventry over the last few years is Mark Robins, who has been the face of the club. Whenever someone has been at the club for so long you never think that day is going to come. As I say, it’s difficult to imagine the club without him.
“It’s difficult for everyone, the fans, players and staff. But football moves on quickly and we have to make sure we’re ready for the weekend.”
The players were assembled in the gym at Ryton and addressed by Doug King, who broke the news of his decision.
“We had a meeting with Doug when we got here at the training yesterday,” said Bidwell. “We came in and the staff were here before us and you could sense something was going on, and then when everyone was here for the scheduled time Doug had a meeting with us in the gym. I came through the door and I could sense something wasn’t quite right.”
Asked what was the initial reaction amongst the players, he said: “Like I say, surprise. I’ve been in this situation before but there was no sense that it was coming, so initially surprise and then on a human level, it’s never nice to see anyone lose their job. It’s not a great situation and when things like this happen it doesn’t reflect well on anyone because it means that things aren’t going as they should be.”
Given the surprise reaction, the full-back was asked if that is an indication that the players were still fully behind the manager.
“Yes, definitely,” he insisted. “Obviously results have been inconsistent but there has never been a game this season where we have gone into it thinking we wouldn’t win it. We have gone into every game thinking we’re going to win this game, so from that point of view it’s difficult because we always thought we were just around the corner from turning it around. And it looked like we’d done that with the wins over Luton and Boro and then there was a setback on Wednesday night. But we have gone into every game with belief.”
Asked if he feels it’s a harsh decision, he added: “I don’t think it’s for me to say. The manager has been in this situation before and managed to turn it around but, ultimately, the owner will do what he sees fit. From the players’ point of view, we hadn’t lost any belief, still thought we would turn it around. I know the owner has a fans’ forum next week and I am sure he’ll explain his decisions there.”
As to whether the players take any responsibility, he said: “Yes, look I think when any manager loses his job it doesn’t reflect well on anyone because ultimately it means things aren’t going as well as they should be. We are a group, players and staff, when things don’t go well everyone has to take part of their responsibility for that.”
Bidwell has been out injured for the last few weeks and still not due back until after the international break.
“I feel I have let him down in a way because I haven’t been able to contribute but injuries are part and parcel of it, and it’s harder to watch than play,” he said.
“You just want to contribute, especially when things aren’t going well, be there fighting so the injury has just come at the worst time for me.”
