ROMAIN Vincelot admits he is saddened by Coventry's shocking demise.

Yet the Frenchman's sympathy for his former club will not extend to any favours from City's visit tomorrow.

Stuart McCall's side head for the Ricoh Arena aiming to tighten their grip on a play-off position – and push the hosts deeper into the relegation mire at the bottom of League One.

Vincelot left Coventry for City last summer for a five-figure fee but still feels shocked to see the Sky Blues in such a sorry situation. They continue to be torn apart by a divide between the fans and the hedge-fund owners.

He said: "It's sad to see where the club are at the minute. Coventry are such a big club in English history.

"I know plenty of people working there who are very dedicated and I feel very sorry for them and the fans. It is very hard for them.

"Hopefully there will be some solution at some point. There is a big fan-base and they deserve that.

"There is a long-term issue they are battling, so they use some ways to show their protest. It is difficult as a player but you have to do your job as well as you can."

Coventry have won only once in four months to leave them 13 points from safety as former Huddersfield boss Mark Robins takes the helm.

Vincelot is wary that City do not trip up in a game that many will view as an away-banker – and points to the last defeat at Shrewsbury.

"We need to be completely at our best and not take this game easy," said the Frenchman.

"Looking at the table and just thinking this is going to be three points – that is the biggest mistake we could make. It doesn't work like that.

"We've seen that at Shrewsbury, so now we can't repeat that and have to make sure we are ready. We'll just go there and give everything to get the best result possible.

"I will see a few faces I know and some good people there – but when the whistle blows, it is nothing special.

"Often there is a reaction to a new manager coming in. It does put everyone on edge because the ones who are playing think that maybe he will think differently.

"Everyone has a clean slate, so you have to impress to get the positions. That's why you sometimes see it give the team a lift and we have to be careful."