Consistency is crucial as City boss now finally has the chance to embrace it

PREDICTING Mark Robins' starting XI has got a lot more straightforward over the last few weeks as he has finally been able to be consistent with his starting XI.

- Peter Smith

Robins might know the importance of being able to have a settled side but that was, he admits, impossible for the first few weeks after he arrived in January and there were so many players either in the treatment room or building up fitness after a treatment room stay.

Gradually, players have returned and built up form and that has translated into performances, results and the ability to keep faith in the same team from week to week.

Since the last international break, Robins oversaw a win over QPR and only made one change for the following Saturday's trip to Preston because Ben Pearson had been ill.

It was unchanged against Luton and there was only one change at Cardiff as Ali Al-Hamadi came in as fresh legs in place of Sam Gallagher at the end of a three-game week.