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Tuesday night's defeat to Southend United saw Coventry City slip further behind in the League One race for survival.

The Sky Blues have been rooted to the foot of the table since defeat to Chesterfield in January, and following yesterday's result, they now sit 17 points adrift of safety.

Some City fans took to social media after the game to express their disappointment at the performance, and also ask the question...

Mark Robins' men have only claimed 26 points from the 37 games they have played so far this season.

The average number of points that have been needed for safety in League One in recent seasons is 51, which means City would have to practically double their tally in the remaining nine games.

It looks increasingly likely that Coventry City will be playing League Two football next season, and they could be relegated as early as next Saturday.

Should they fail to collect a single point in their next two games, and Oldham win both of their next two fixtures, the Sky Blues' fate would be sealed.

City play MK Dons away on Saturday and follow it up on Tuesday next week when Port Vale arrive at the Ricoh Arena.

Oldham travel to Peterborough on Saturday but have a break in midweek before hosting runaway league leaders Sheffield United the following weekend.

They are two tough games for the Latics, but should they claim victory in both, then Coventry City's relegation to League Two would be confirmed on Saturday, March 25.

The other team most likely to send City down are Port Vale, owned by Cov Kid and Sky Blues fan Norman Smurthwaite. Vale host Shrewsbury Town on Friday night, followed by a midweek trip to the Ricoh Arena, and a home clash with MK Dons the following Tuesday after having a weekend off.

If they win all three and City fail to pick up more than two points, relegation would be confirmed at the final whistle on Tuesday, March 28.

Of course, City may find some form under Robins, starting with the trip to Milton Keynes this weekend, but the earliest possible date their relegation could be confirmed is March 25 - eight days before they travel to Wembley.

A grim prospect.