This week we have witnessed not one, but two homecomings with Gael Bigirimana and Ben Turner returning to the club where it all started for the pair.
There is certainly something symbolic about Bigirimana and Turner signing on loan. Neither player should have to drop down to this level of football, such is their ability - yet, here they both are.
What it represents is the new Coventry City, a Coventry City managed meticulously by Tony Mowbray. Without him, these moves just wouldn’t have materialised and he continues to work at a level befitting the club.
We are finally looking forward in our pursuit of promotion and with this in mind any sentimental attachment to Bigirimana or Turner should be removed. Their performances previously for the club are irrelevant, it’s about the here and now.
It is quite obvious that Turner is - as Mowbray referred to him - a ‘stop-gap’ in the search for other defensive options. Tactically he will fit in next to Aaron Martin as the left centre back, allowing Sam Ricketts to reacquaint himself with his more favourable right back slot.
This also means that young Aaron Phillips will be taken out of the firing line in the knowledge that he needs to work on the defensive side of his game.
We gain experience and crucially the physicality that Reda offered prior to his injury. Turner has also relinquished his trait of hitting long diagonal passes in the direction of a centre forward - developed under the initial success of the Aidy Boothroyd era.
At Cardiff his ability on the ball has improved. Gone is the Turner that looked moments away from a catastrophic slip or misplaced pass. If he can prove and maintain his fitness, he will undoubtedly be a success in sky blue once again.
Whether the decision to bring Bigirimana back will be a successful one is far more questionable. He claims to have come back to Coventry a man, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he has developed as a footballer.
His debut season at St James' Park was one of progression, however since then his career has stalled. A farcical loan switch to Rangers last season was a bleak low point.
The 22-year-old will fill the gap left by Middlesbrough loanee Bryn Morris, who despite showing flashes of ability, couldn’t nail down a first team place. Bigirimana could well face a similar problem.
When you consider that Morris has captained England at every youth level from the U16s through to the U19s, it’s easy to suggest that he is equally as talented as Bigirimana.
Barring injury and suspension, Fleck and Vincelot are seemingly immovable from their defensive midfield roles. Everything points towards Bigirimana having to be satisfied with a place on the bench.
The manager may have an alternative idea of how to use the Burundi international. An advanced midfield berth where his technical ability can be more effectively utilised perhaps.
In the midst of all this speculation, one thing is certain - he would be a better option as a substitute than the frustratingly risk-averse Conor Thomas.
That is of course if he can even make it onto the bench. With only five loan players permitted in the match day squad, Bigirimana could be the man to miss out.
Regardless, with Saturday’s game against table-toppers Gillingham on the horizon, it is fair to say that the squad has never looked as strong during our time in League One.
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