Choccy's match reports 2015/16

Coventry City vs Queens Park Rangers

So, the last game of the season with nothing riding on it, a season that will forever be remembered for the Cup run. We had two players we expect they will be leaving in the Summer, Callum O’Hare, to either, Celtic, West Ham, Leicester, Villa or a bizarre rumour that an MLS team is in for him for a weekly wage of £796,900! Another player who will not be on that type of money next season is Liam Kelly, our last playing link with the League Two days. The rest of the team saw Binks back in the side and as a loan player, might not be here next season either, Collins in goal, most want to see leave the club, the other players are van Ewijk, Thomas, Bidwell, Eccles, Wright and Simms, if the latter two scored today it will be the first time two players had reached 20 goals in a season since 1936! It is still a record and the best since Callum Wilson scored 22 and Leon Clarke scored 19, some years back.
It was a warm day as the game got under way with City dominating possession early on. Wright had the first effort with a header. Rangers ventured into our half and Andersen fired in a long-range shot on target. A good move then saw Sheaf play in O’Hare, who forced a save from their second-choice keeper. City were playing well and looking the better side, with the team working hard to break down QPR’s defence. Dykes was the first into the book, handed out by a referee who had a good game in the middle. Talking of “the middle” The Liam Kelly song was sung loud as City tried to find a way through. Without a doubt The Hoops’ danger man is Chair, at the moment appealing against a 12-month jail sentence for attacking a taxi driver with a rock and breaking his skull, still he continued playing for the visitors and is one reason they have pulled away from the drop zone. It was the Belgium that got the ball cut inside and Paul said, “he’s going to shoot”, from 35-yards he curled a shot passed the stranded Collins, there is no way that a keeper should be being beaten from that distance, without moving, another error by one of the worst keepers we have had since Robins returned. City hit back with some great approach play by O’Hare, ending with van Ewijk heading on goal, but their keeper reacted well to push it out, and it rose up and hit the arm of a defender, but no penalty. Thomas then picked up a yellow card for bringing down a player trying to get past him. The free kick was wide of the area, and it came in, Fox headed it and it bobbled through Collin’s legs and it was two nil. Lee Birch, Simon Moore and Ben Wilson have all been dropped for far less over the years. Simms had a shot saved late on.

It was Legends’ Day, so many former players were paraded on the field, the last being, on his first Legend’s Day, Richard Shaw.

Rangers nearly made it three, but this time Collins came out and blocked well. I could see why QPR have pulled away from the drop zone, they are very compact at the back and always have Chair, on the break, it was a good battle between him and van Ewijk. Ten minutes gone and van Ewijk played in Simms, he hit a powerful shot that their keeper did well to push over the bar. Minutes later Kelly had the ball, and a massive “SHOOT” came from the home fans, he did, and it just missed the far post. It was then the turn of the other player, that will leave, O’Hare, to go close, he worked his way into the box and fired towards the far corner, again their keeper pulled off a fine save. It was then the end of an era as Kelly was replaced by Palmer, da Silva also replaced Bidwell. Paal, then proved nobodies’ friend by picking up a booking. Meanwhile Chair had a shot on target. Eccles picked up a yellow as City were still trying to find a way through. We then said goodbye to O’Hare, after a good performance and he was replaced by Torp, Simms went off and on came Godden, for maybe his last game as well. Allen replaced Eccles. It was the last sub that gave us a chance heading in from very close range after Wright flipped up a cross for him, it was Jamie’s first goal of the season. City couldn’t force an equaliser and we suffered our 5th defeat in 6 League games. Most fans said pre-season, a top ten finish and maybe a good Cup run, will do us this season and that’s what we got.

The players did a lap of honour to end the season.

1st Ben Sheaf: Maybe our most valuable player.
2nd Liam Kelly: Still “never gives the ball away”.
3rd Callum O’Hare: Hope to see The Solihull Messi at a Legend’s Day in the future.

Coventry City vs Ipswich Town

End of season fatigue may have finally set in, as I went to see City, out of habit in the last game, of the season under floodlights. Ipswich were in town trying to achieve a remarkable back-to-back promotion. I feared they might have too much motivation for us. The line-up more or less picked itself, as we still had plenty of injuries, but Sheaf was back in midfield, others were Collins, van Ewijk, Latibeaudiere, Thomas, da Silva, Eccles, Kelly, Wright, Palmer and Simms.

Not surprisingly Ipswich packed out the away end and were making plenty of noise, unlike at Portman Road. Town started on the front foot with a shot on target. Then after 8 minutes they took a throw in many yards from where the ball went out, they got the ball to Burns, he got the wrong side of da Silva, he got to the by-line and cut it back for Moore, whose shot took a deflection before going in, it was looking like a long night. Eccles tried to point out the throw in was taken too far away from where the ball went out, but City should have defended it better. Town were on top whilst their fans were singing songs, most of them, the same songs we sing, but with different lyrics. City slowly started to get back into the game with Eccles and Kelly starting some attacks. Then after 28 minutes, Eccles put in a cross, Simms got a boot on it, van Ewijk went wide near the 6-yard box, cut it back to the onrushing Palmer, his shot took a deflection off a Town player and was cleared off the goal line by another, straight to Wright, at close in but slightly wide he blasted in a shot that somehow Ipswich’s keeper parried over the bar, one of the saves of the season. Simms had a shot go over and late in the half another move down our left, and a cross went to Broadhead, he only had Collins to beat, but the keeper used his legs to keep it out, straight from that City launched a brilliant counter attack, ending with Simms firing over. Half time 1-0 to The Tractor Boys.

Town started the better team in the second half again and could have made it two when a miss hit clearance from Collins went to Broadhead on the edge of the box, his shot hit the cross bar. Then City drove forward, Palmer found Wright on the edge of the box and his shot took a slight deflection and went under the keeper, who should have saved it, still all level and Wright joined Simms on 19 goals. Then the game stopped as the referee jogged off, it took time for his replacement was ready. Five minutes later a ball into the box wasn’t dealt with, and Burgess fired in at the near post to give them back the lead, Collins should not be beaten at his near post like that. City needed fresh legs, but when a sub was about to be made Latibeaudiere went down with an injury, another one for one of our defenders. On came Bidwell to play at the back and not replace da Silva, like most hoped and on came O’Hare for Kelly. Town nearly made it three, but Collins came out to block the attempt. We had 11 minutes of injury time, thanks to the ref going off and we went looking for a leveller. Dausch came on for Palmer for his home debut. Into the last minute of injury time a high ball is taken down by Dausch and volleyed towards goal, it got us off our feet but was inches wide.

So, Ipswich took a step closer to promotion, hope its us next season, as our league form had collapsed since the quarter final.

Man of the Match
1st Milan van Ewijk: My player of the season
2nd Josh Eccles: Vastly underrated by some City fans.
3rd Liam Kelly: Our last link with League Two, had a good game.

Coventry City vs Oxford United

The FA Cup was around again as we faced League One, Play Off hopefuls Oxford United. A team we famously played at Wembley in the Johnson’s Paint Trophy Final in 2017. Amazingly we have a survivor from that game, United’s keeper Simon Eastwood, now second choice at Oxford, but back in because their first choice was to be recalled from his loan spell. We then played them in the League Cup two seasons later, we lost at Oxford, two survivors both for Oxford, Cameron Brannagan, who started and James Henry, was on the bench. We have had a bigger turn over of players since then. Their were fears Mark Robins would make mass changes, but we have far more strength in depth these days, so the changes that were made, didn’t affect our strength, the line up for the first home game of the year was Wilson in goal, Bidwell, Latibeaudiere, Binks and van Ewijk at the back, Sheaf and Eccles in holding midfield, O’Hare, who opened his goal scoring account against Oxford in a 3-3 draw at Oxford in 2019, the front three were Palmer, Simms and Sakamoto.

The 12.30 kick off got underway as it was being shown live abroad. The first action was City winning a corner, Eccles took an in-swinging set piece and Latibeaudiere got to it, his downwards header hit the ground and bounced in over the keeper and defenders for a perfect start. A couple of minutes later, deep in our half, O’Hare passed to Palmer, under pressure, he knocked the ball sideways and had to race to stop another Oxford player getting it, this allowed Branagan, to tackle him and win the ball, the ball went to Harris who shot through a crowded penalty area to level the game up. Oxford fans celebrated as they could sense a Cup upset. We were still getting over the disappointment of the goal, from the kick off Bidwell played a ball down the flanks for Simms, he knocked it wide, beat his marker and cut into the area, he squared the ball and Sheaf raced in to give us back the lead, incredible stuff. Oxford were rocked back by the goal as Bidwell tried a shot that went wide. Branagan was first into the book for bringing down van Ewijk. Minutes later Sheaf was given the ball by Eccles, Ben found Palmer, near the halfway line, he turned and raced into midfield and unleashed a 25-yard blast into the top corner for 3-1. What a goal, goal of the FA Cup contender. A few Oxford fans headed for the bar. The Sky Blues were now in charge as Palmer was running the show and Oxford were struggling to keep up as two of their players went into the book, the second one for demanding a card for a City player. Simms then had a shot blocked. Some great passing, each one greeted by a cheer, when it broke down and Oxford got the ball their fans did the same. The U’s got more of the ball as the half wore on and City were happy to catch them on the break, near the end of the half, we did this, Eccles was fouled and van Ewijk went close with the free kick. Half time 3-1, City coasting.

Oxford made two changes at half time and City also made a change, off went van Ewijk, MR later said he needed a rest and on came Thomas, Latibeaudiere switched to right back. City started the half brightly as O’Hare forced Eastwood into a save. Most fans now wanted Simms to score a goal and he came close as a shot was blocked. Then a minute later Palmer was in the box and Brown lunged in but missed the ball and brought Palmer down, the ref pointed to the spot. O’Hare took the ball ran up, had a skip and cheekily found the bottom corner as the keeper went the other way. It was Palmer again who had a shot blocked as City went looking for more goals. Both sides had shots go wide before another chance for Simms, despite the fans willing a goal, Eastwood blocked the shot. Eccles then forced the keeper to save. Oxford won a free kick parallel with our box, the wall was a short one with O’Hare and Sakamoto, I told everyone the taker of the kick was a set piece expert, he then promptly failed to get the ball over the wall. Sakamoto got in on the act with a saved shot. Then a double change off went Sakamoto to be replaced by da Silva and then a big ovation as O’Hare went off, pumping up the crowd to make more noise and on came Tavares, for his first game since last season’s FA Cup Third Round. Almost immediately Fabio was played in behind the defence, he raced clear, but he admitted he got a little too excited and miss controlled the ball. One long serving Oxford player Henry, replaced another Branagan. Simms was still trying to score, as he got the ball in the box and raced on only for the keeper to save with his legs. Then another change off went Simms, who played well and on came Godden, who played against Oxford for us in League games and scored his first goal for us from open play in the same game O’Hare scored in. Tavares had a chance but couldn’t get his shot away as he was understandably a bit rusty. With eleven minutes to go Oxford won a corner, it was partially cleared, but the ball fell to Goodrham on the edge of the box, his shot was blocked but it fell back to him, and he smashed it in to make it 4-2. Could this game end 4-3, like our last FA Cup game? Could Oxford get back into this, their fans must have had a boost when Palmer went off and was replaced by Allen, it turned out to be a masterstroke by MR. Four minutes later a good run by da Silva found Allen, he showed quick feet and set up Godden, wide, Matty then cooly bent the ball around the keeper to wrap the game up. 5-2 was a Division One League result against Oxford a game played on a Friday night, if I remember, then a very rare event. Wilson then had a shot to save. Minutes later Allen sprang forward and found Godden, he drew the keeper and slotted it under him for 6-2. All types of records going off here, six goals or more in the FA Cup for only the eighth time, two goals by a sub in a Cup game for only the third time, Jay Bothroyd in a League Cup win over Rushden and Diamonds in 2002 and Patrick Suffo in a League Cup win over Torquay in 2004. Also, it was Matty’s 50th goal for The City, only the 21st player to achieve this. Sheaf was needlessly booked in injury time before Mills forced Wilson into his best save of the game, sadly for Mills he was badly injured taking the shot and had to be stretchered off. From the corner Goodhram forced Wilson into another save. So that was it, a great performance by City, easily beating a team that we might be playing next season and into the 4th Round.

Man of the Match
1st Kasey Palmer: Too skilful for the League One team
2nd Ben Sheaf: Ran midfield.
3rd Matty Gooden: Making Stattos like me reach for the record books and my own records.

Coventry City Vs Swansea City

A Happy New Year to everybody as we say goodbye to 2023, where we came within a penalty save of The Premier League, a year when we have conceded on average a goal per game, the lowest in our history. Tonight’s visitors were Swansea a team we hadn’t beaten since the 24th of October 1981. MR sprang some surprises, then again with so many games the lineup was never going to be settled. Two former Swansea players started Latibeaudiere and Palmer, the rest were, in goal was Collins, the other defenders Binks, Thomas and da Silva, the other midfielders Allen and Sheaf, wearing a protective head band, with Sakamoto, Godden and Wright in the forward positions.

The crowd was 11,000 more than the last time we beat Swansea and that was in Division One. City attacked and won an early corner, Sheaf took it low, and it went straight to Palmer his shot was blocked, otherwise it could have been the opener. At the other end Swansea attacked, the ball came in from the left, Sheaf, blocked it, it fell to Allen in the area, he tried twice to control it, but Liam Walsh stole in and scored, it was his first goal since he scored for us against Bristol Rovers. City hit back a few minutes later, Allen to Sheaf, Ben’s one touch to Palmer, Kasey a quick ball to spring Wright, he put in a burst of pace, entered the area and beat the keeper, his 7th of the season all level. Now could City come from behind to win for the first time this year? It was a level game as Coventry-born Jamie Patterson missed a chance. The game looked even as Sheaf tested the keeper. Palmer was causing all types of trouble in the game and looked our best hope. Binks then went into the book after fouling Walsh. Collins then had a shot to save from Darling. The game could go either way at that point. Then on the half hour mark Palmer got a good blast in that the Swans keeper tipped over the bar. Palmer then put a free kick over, before Walsh fouled him and was booked. Matt Grimes then was booked. Swansea won a late free kick it was on target, by Walsh but Collins failed to hold onto it and conceded a corner. All level at half time.

Swansea made changes at half time including taking off Patterson, so no goal against us for once. A good start saw Palmer set up Sakamoto to fire not too much wide. Then a chance for Swansea, a cross from our left was met by a sliding Bolasie, but he fired over, when he should have done better. The Gustavo Hamer song was heard from the Main Stand, no doubt he was watching, I responded with “Oo-ar Lloyd McGrath”. Sheaf meanwhile was everywhere, and he set up Wright who fired wide. The Sky Blues started to get on top in the game as several shots were blocked. Robins then made his changes off went Godden, Allen and surprisingly Palmer, on came O’Hare, Simms and van Ewijk. Latibeaudiere moved to midfield. Now City really got on top. Almost immediately the ball went to Sakamoto, he fired in a deep cross and Wright got a head on it and put it into the back of the net, but Simms got a touch on it, for a real poach, this was Ellis’ only touch in the game!. The Sky Blues were winning “2-1 to the Eng-ler-land” sang the City fans, despite the fact the first goal was scored by an American, the second set up by someone from Japan and America. Minutes later Wright appeared on the other flank and played in O’Hare his snapshot was turned over the bar, a great save. The Sky Blues were now on top and Swansea were hanging on. Into injury time and Wright couldn’t get direction on a Tats cross. Two minutes later Sheaf conceded a free kick in the “D”, and Lowe took it, he found a big hole in the wall and beat Collins, who maybe should have saved it. Yet again we fail to beat Swansea. We end the year five points behind the Play Offs after a really good December.

Man of the Match
1st Haji Wright: Now scoring goals.
2nd Ben Sheaf: Broke up many attacks.
3rd Kasey Palmer: Dangerous.

Coventry City vs Sheffield Wednesday

A capacity crowd, well it would be if the away allocation was full, but safety work limited the number of Wednesday fans, so we had to settle for just under 30,000. It was the Sheffield’s club first visit to Coventry for around 13 years, they did play us at St Andrews. Wednesday adrift in the drop zone but good form recently could have made this a tricky tie. The line up was the former Barnsley trio Collins, Thomas and Kitching, along with van Ewijk and Bidwell. In midfield was Eccles, Latibeaudiere and O’Hare, with Wright, Godden and Sakamoto up front.

The game got under way with the Wednesday fans in good voice. The ref meanwhile was willing to ignore a lot of challenges that others might have stopped the game for, but he was consistent for both sides. Not much happening early on as Wednesday enjoyed passing back to their keeper. The first action happened after 15 minutes when a powerful shot hit Wednesday’s Patterson, he was knocked to the ground and after three minutes of treatment was led off the pitch. Whilst Wednesday were preparing a sub, City went forward, O’Hare to Wright, on the left, he took on the fullback, got behind him and put in a low cross, suddenly Sakamoto appeared in the centre of the penalty area and scored. Wednesday fans went quiet for a while. Wednesday hit back and Collins was forced into his first save. City were gaining control of the game without looking like they could increase the lead, as Godden fired over. Wednesday were looking poor and couldn’t get forward enough, that was until injury time when they pressed us back with a couple of corners.

Half time a goal up but not great entertainment.

Second half started with Thomas going just wide with a shot, set up by Eccles. Then Sakamoto went close from a corner. Wednesday started to grow into the game and started to look more dangerous as everyone in the stands were getting a little nervous. Latibeaudiere went into the book for a nothing foul. Cadamarteri then had a shot saved. Then The Owls should have scored, a deep cross found their Palmer free on the right side of the box, his shot across the goal was beaten out by Collins, but the ball broke to Bernard, inside the six yard box with the whole goal to aim at, he went near post and it hit van Ewijk, the ball came out to Flecther, slightly further out, but again somehow he could only hit van Ewijk on the goal line, then Bannon blazed the ball over, no one was quiet sure how they didn’t score, maybe that’s why they are in the drop zone. Changes were made as Sheffield were getting too much of the ball, off went Bidwell, who had just ran the width of the pitch to put in a great tackle and Godden, on came da Silva and our own Palmer. This helped us gain more control, but at one goal up they could easily snatch a point. A Wednesday player went into the book for a foul on Sakamoto, the first bad foul of the game. Collins had a catch from Cadimarteri. Kasey had livened things up for us as he had a shot blocked. Simms replaced O’Hare as the clock ticked down. Wednesday seemed to win a never-ending number of corners, none of them came to anything. Then late in the game Eccles intercepted a stray pass and played in Palmer, moved the ball on to Sakamoto, he entered the area, stepped one way and curled the ball around the keeper to make it 2 and wrap up the game. Then a half chance as City broke and Wright could have played Simms in but went for the more difficult pass to Sakamoto and the ball was lost. Then after the final whistle the players raced over to the City box, the ref joined them and showed a red card to Kitching and Diaby.

Mark Robins is a manager who is very level-headed, never the one to get too excited, but the press conference after, I never heard him so angry about the red card for Kitching, sounds like the ref had to send their player off and guessed in sending Kitching off as well.

Man of the Match
1st Tatsuhiro Sakamoto: Two goals to win the game.
2nd Joel Latibeaudiere: Mr Versatile, look good in midfield as well.
3rd Haji Wright: Always carried a threat from out wide.

Leeds United vs Coventry City


This was our first visit to Leeds for 12 years, my 10th visits 8 defeats and 2 draws, with only 2 wins in 41 visits for City, this is a tough place to go. Leeds are in 3rd place and with Ipswich not winning earlier in the day, Leeds had a chance to close the gap to a mere 8 points. We waited for the team selection, and we had to look twice, it was a total change with six defenders selected, the problem was how we were going to line up? In goal was Collins, now the big problem who was playing at the back and how many? It looked like four at the back van Ewijk, former Leeds player Kitching, also Thomas and Bidwell, Latibeaudiere in defensive midfield with Sheaf, da Silva playing wide with Sakamoto on the other side, Eccles in midfield with Simms on his tod up front. I like to listen to local radio at away games and they hardly ever mention us, but Radio Leeds did a good ten-minute section on us, good stuff. Now onto the ticket and the ground £45 to get in a real rip off, then again, I paid it. It was too packed in the away side of the ground, inadequate toilets, a tv monitor you could only see a quarter of because of damage, sitting on the side in a corner of the ground, meant bad sight lines, altogether the worst facilities I have seen this season.

Onto the game, Leeds are unbeaten at Elland Road this season had have won the last seven as their fans sang their anthem “Marching on together”. Leeds looked a good side from the off as they attacked near the side of the stand we were in, Piroe had the first shot of the game, but a block by Kitching meant no problem for Collins. The Sky Blues were not parking the bus with all the defenders and got forward when we could. Leeds had a throw in and pressing by da Silva and Latibeaudiere, meant Leeds lost the ball to Sheaf who curled in a shot that their keeper had to tip away. Leeds didn’t learn the lesson and from another throw in this time Bidwell pressed, they lost the ball, Simms played in Sakamoto who just dragged his shot wide. City were defending in depth, but then Summerville got into the box and tangled with Latibeaudiere, the winger went down, but no penalty as they were both tugging at each other shirts, the referee, by the way went on to have an excellent game. A bad pass by Sheaf gave Leeds a shot on target. City were frustrating Leeds and defending well, but then a chance as a Leeds player got behind the defenders and ran on at goal, but Thomas got back, the Leeds player went down, but no foul, it looked the correct decision. Later on, they went wide with a shot. A good turn and move by Simms got the ball up field to take off some of the pressure. A couple of more shots off target until half time came, and the City fans were pleased with the first half.

Leeds came out in the 2nd half and had even more of the ball as City were pressed back. We were finding it hard to get out of our own half, then the inevitable happened as Summerville was played in, he got in front of van Ewijk to beat Collins and give them the lead. United were looking for a 2nd as Collins had to tip a long-range effort away. City started to get out more when the centre backs ventured forward with the ball first with Kitching and minutes later Thomas, after Eccles had the ball out wide near the box and moved the ball back to the halfway line for Collins to charge up field, he slipped the ball to Simms in the area, he went wide, before cutting the ball back to Sakamoto, who curled in a left footed cross and Thomas arrived with a downwards header straight into the back of the net. Fabolous scenes in the away end, we couldn’t quite believe a centre back turned up in the penalty area to score. The atmosphere was cranked up even more. Simms went into the book so did a Leeds’ player after some pushing and shoving. We made our first subs, O’Hare for Sakamoto and Wright for Bidwell, da Silva dropped back in defence as we went two up front. We nearly had another goal as Simms did well to get the ball out wide to van Ewijk, he played in a cross towards O’Hare but he just missed out and went down, but no penalty, a correct decision by the ref. Summerville then forced Collins into a save at the other end. Minutes later Rutter forced Collins into a save to his right, the ball was recycled and Rutter then tested Collins to his left. More changes as Palmer replaced Simms and Allen replaced van Ewijk. Eccles now dropped back into the right back birth, and Latibeaudiere made up a back five, as we went back to one up front. Collins was then booked for time wasting. Into the last couple of minutes as Rutter fired wide. Palmer got a shot on target after a swift break. Into the last couple of minutes as Thomas picked up a yellow card. Eccles and Palmer also went into the book as things were getting feisty. Summerville then had one blocked as City were throwing bodies in to stop Leeds scoring. Five minutes into injury time Dan James got the ball in the box with only Collins to beat but under pressure from Thomas the ball went wide. City had to survive one last free kick before seeing out the game and a really great away point.

Then it threatened to get ugly after the whistle, Thomas went to shake Summerville’s hand he refused and some pushing and shoving. We were held back after the game, reminds me of the 1980’s.

Man of the Match
1st Bobby Thomas: Stood up to a lot, defended well and scored.
2nd Bradley Collins: Important saves
3rd Joel Latibeaudiere: Played well in midfield and at the back.

Coventry City vs Wayne Rooney’s Birmingham City

Seriously, I had thought they change their name. Since the former England player was installed by an American, who hasn’t got a clue on quaint old English “soccer”, the Blues have been in decline, but with that and a bad record against City, I was a bit nervous. Thankfully the rain of the week had stopped and there was a good crowd in to watch The A45 Derby. MR made changes to the team in what looked like a very attacking line-up. The side was Collins, van Ewijk, Thomas, Kitching, Bidwell, Sheaf, Allen, O’Hare, Wright and Simms. The Blues had Lucas Jutkiewicz playing for them a former player, who has never scored against us and has never been on a winning side against us.

The game got underway, and The Blues were off from the start, backed by a noisy away following, with their anthem “S*it on the Villa”, they went down the left and it took good work by van Ewijk to prevent a cross, but the ball was switched inside leaving Jutkiewicz to have a shot blocked before two tame efforts on target. After nine minutes O’Hare near the halfway line turned his man, his tackle was late and Bacuna went into the book. The Sky Blues got into the game with Sheaf running midfield, Allen running and O’Hare playing some nice one-touch passes like he used to. Then a good move Sakamoto held up the ball and released van Ewijk on the overlap, the fullback got to the by-line and pulled the ball back for O’Hare who hit it a full pelt, but only straight to Ruddy in the Blues goal and he managed to push the ball away, It would have been a dream goal for a player whose family are Blues supporters and his uncle is former Birmingham player Ian Clarkson. The Blues biggest danger was Dembele, who always seems to play well against us, whether it was with Grimsby in League Two, or Peterborough in League One. He put one wide minutes later. City fans were now singing, and it was creating a great atmosphere. After 30 minutes Sheaf won the ball in a tackle, O’Hare was on hand to move it forward to Sakamoto, Tats held the ball up until O’Hare made it into the area and he returned the ball, Callum took a step on before toe-poking it past Ruddy for a goal, everyone was on their feet, it was Callum’s first goal since an iconic one he scored against them at St Andrews. The O’Hare song was loud followed by “Birmingham get battered everywhere they go”. Three minutes later O’Hare had a shot that was blocked. Then a big moment as the ball was cleared it seemed to make contact with a Birmingham player’s hand, but no penalty, according to the ref, VAR would have given it. The Sky Blues were looking by far the better team when Sakamoto and van Ewijk combined again down the wing, the ball went in and Simms got a foot to it, it hit his marker’s leg and Ruddy somehow kept it out with his foot.

Not too surprisingly Blues started better in the 2nd half with “Jukebox” firing a tame effort at Collins. “Rooney, Rooney” sang the away fans half-heartedly. The two central defenders were again impressive and so was Bidwell, who almost joined Birmingham late last season. There were some nerves as Dembele got into the box and went down, but the ref didn’t point to the spot but to Dembele for diving and booked him. After a brief period, City took over again, a familiar story, Sakamoto to van Ewijk and a cross, this time to Wright who headed straight at their keeper. Minutes later Sakamoto played a brilliant ball to Wright, he advanced went around a defender drew out Ruddy and fired, but Ruddy saved it with his chin. At the other end more catching practice for Collins, but we needed another goal. It was then O’Hare’s turn to set up Wright who forced another save from the over worked Ruddy. Then another big moment, a good ball saw Simms attempting to break free he got past his marker and had a clear run on goal, before a tug of the shirt, the ref booked Aiwu for the challenge when it should have been a straight red. Milan van Ewijk stepped up to take the kick and swerved it to the left, again Ruddy got up to save it. Sakamoto had a shot saved, before another attack and van Ewijk found more room he put in a low cross, both Simms and Wright swung but missed, leaving the ball fall for O’Hare, he ran parallel to the six-yard box, one touch, two touches, tree touches, before rifling the ball home, he had scored again. Unbelievable action and City were flying. “Rooney, Rooney”, we mocked the Birmingham fans and later “One John Eustace” in honour of our former player, the one sacked because his American master didn’t like the style of football when they were in the top six. Sakamoto then tried an overhead. Into injury time and their substitute Donovan forced the first real save from Collins. We saw the game out with no problem a great performance. Robins decided not to make any changes for City.

Now, in their wisdom they closed the A444 off, making it hard for Birmingham fans to get home, cycling back was no fun either with fans walking on the roads.

Man of the match
Plenty of candidates Thomas and Kitching were outstanding at the back, Bidwell still on form, Sheaf ran midfield and Allen was everywhere.
1st Callum O’Hare: The Solihull Messi is back!
2nd Milan van Ewijk: Kept Dembele quiet, got forward, quality crosses and unlucky with the free kick.

3rd Tatsuhiro Sakamoto: Combined well with the two above.

Ipswich Town vs Coventry City

My first visit to Portman Road for nine years and the trip across country was a cold and foggy one as the temperature varied between minus one and minus three the whole journey. Got there in plenty of time to face a team in 2nd place, seven points clear of 3rd, with an incredible home record of 16 wins in their last 17 games. MR made some changes, and the headlines were O’Hare starting for the first time this year, along with him in attacking midfield was Ayari, a player that has been so underwhelming so far, up front was Wright, with Collins in goal and the back four of van Ewijk, Thomas, Kitching and Bidwell finally Sheaf and Eccles were in defensive midfield.

It was a full ground, as you might expect. Town started off confidently with former forward Chaplin firing over. It was bitterly cold in the away section. Then after six minutes Broadhead slice the defence with a pass and Hirst outpowered and outpaced Kitching to go through and easily beat Collins, as he conceded his first league goal. It was a bad start and a worrying rest of the game to look forward to. Town kept pressing and looked dangerous. Then Bidwell was taken out on the edge of the area with a bad challenge, the ref did nothing, mainly because it was Sheaf that put in the tackle! To be fair the officials had a good game today. City slowly got into the game and started to look better. City got forward and Ayari passed wide to Bidwell in plenty of room on the edge of the box, he blasted in a shot that the keeper parried upwards. Wright than had a shot blocked, before later on it was Bidwell having a blast that was on target that was blocked. With City back in the game, the turning point, a brilliant cross field ball that was hit the width of the pitch, it found Davis, unmarked down the flank, he raced forward and swung a pass to the other side of the pitch near the penalty area, the ball went to Burns, he cut inside and hit the ball with the outside of his right foot the ball curled around Collins into the top corner, a truly brilliant goal. Ipswich were coasting and looking like a team in 2nd place.

Second half, changes made off went Eccles, Ayari and Allen, on came Godden, Sakamoto and Latibeaudiere. Ipswich allowed us more room as Sheaf had a shot. Godden then volleyed over after a good cross by O’Hare. The atmosphere in the away section was incredible, meanwhile not a peep from the home end, 2nd in the table, 100 goals last season, flying at home, 2nd and nothing, if it was us, the whole ground would be bouncing. City were playing better in the 2nd half and kept trying. Then on the 72nd Sakamoto got into the area and was brought down, penalty. Godden stepped up and blasted against the crossbar and was cleared. If it had gone in Town might have been vulnerable. Simms replaced Wright. Thankfully Chaplin failed to score and went off. Deep into injury time a good ball was swung into the box and Simms challenged for the ball, but an Ipswich defender beat him to the ball and also beat his keeper for our 4th own goal of the season.

It took a while to get out of Ipswich, but after then a good journey back, across the freezing fens.

Man of the Match
1st The fans Great backing
2nd Jake Bidwell Kept going.
3rd Callum O’Hare A few nice touches

Coventry City vs Plymouth Argyle

It was a cold night as we took on Plymouth at home. The line up was unchanged from the Millwall game.

It was a slow start as Plymouth had plenty of the ball early on but didn’t look like a threat. Their top scorer Morgan Whittaker was first to take a shot, but it was well over. City got more into the game as van Ewijk went on a scintillating run the whole length of the pitch. The game settled down with two team that liked to pass and hole possession but didn’t have the final ball. Plymouth fans sung “Your ground’s too big for you”, despite the home ends were pretty full. Sheaf had a shot blocked after seven minutes. Another attack saw van Ewijk swing out a ball, Godden tried for it, but was offside, he didn’t make contact and Bidwell, onside picked the ball up for a run into acres of space, but incredibly he was flagged offside. Wright had a shot blocked in a dull game. Both sides were defending well, Plymouth are the 3rd highest scorers in the Championship. Thomas then headed wide after a Sakamoto cross from a corner. Plymouth then got one on target, as a cross deflected off Kitching for a save for Collins. At the other end a lay-off from Allen to Sheaf and he bent his shot, from outside the box just wide. Sakamoto then won a free kick, Eccles took it and picked out Sheaf, but his near post shot was saved by their keeper. The half ended without a goal.

Second half started with Plymouth improving on their 1st half display with a couple of close efforts. City were defending well and Kitching had to be alert to trackback to prevent a goal. Apart from that the game was as cold as the night, with not much happening. Changes then came O’Hare for Sakamoto. The change helped Plymouth more and they had their best spell. With 15 minutes to go the breakthrough, van Ewijk raced down the flank and cut inside to the goal line, there he swept the ball back to the waiting Wright, who swung his leg to open the scoring. Now the Plymouth players were convinced the ball went out, I have looked at it and the whole of the ball didn’t cross the whole of the line, a rule many struggle to understand. Now we had something to hold onto, as more chances were made, Ayari for Allen, Ellis for Godden and Latibeaudiere for van Ewijk, to tighten things up at the back and to give us an outlet. Simms and Wright seem to link up well with each other. Collins had a save, before a great ball from O’Hare sent Simms on a run but he shot over. Into injury time as Bidwell was booked for time wasting and Plymouth got one on target. O’Hare, growing into the game gave Simms a chance but his shot was cleared off the line. City survived six minutes of injury time to record back-to-back wins.

Man of the Match
1st Milan van Ewijk: Set up the goal, defended well.
2nd Liam Kitching Getting better all the time (to misquote the Beatles)
3rd Ben Sheaf Broke up attacks and had shots.

Millwall vs Coventry City

Last time we travelled to Millwall it was blistering hot, today we had the first chill of winter. Leaving on the train from Leamington, some of us found seats, whilst other stood, just like we had on the way to the Play Offs. We had to stop at Gerrard’s Cross for a medical emergency, because someone fainted, maybe because of the overcrowding. After a quick trip on The Tube, we arrived at the pub the London Support’s where, so were the Sitton Brothers making a rare visit. Then a taxi ride, as the local train station, South Bermondsey was closed due to engineering works. This is my 12th visit to The Den, which I described as scary on my first visit, but it’s a good place to visit, despite the difficulty of reaching the ground. MR stuck with the 4-3-3 formation, with Collins in goal, van Ewijk, Thomas, Kitching and Bidwell, in defence, Eccles, Sheaf and Allen in midfield, with Sakamoto, Godden and Wright in the forward areas. Joe Edwards was in his first home game in charge of Millwall after a 4-0 away win at Wednesday.

Both teams were in their blue as the game got underway. It was a good atmosphere, but Millwall are now a possession side and we struggled to get the ball off them for the first two minutes. We slowly got into the game and after eight minutes, Eccles played a great ball into space that Wright raced onto, he went clear verses the keeper, he shot, but Bialkowski pulled off a good save. The Sky Blues were looking dangerous, as van Ewijk got wide and whipped in a great cross, Allen was wide of the goal and he hit the ball with a great volley, just over the bar. Then on a home attack, the ball went into the box and the ball hit Bradshaw who looked miles offside, but to our amazement no flag, Honeyman got the ball and he hit the post and thankfully it was cleared, otherwise we might have had another letter from the Football League apologising. Their keeper was forced into action again as former City loan player Norton-Cuffy almost scored an own goal. Meanwhile Eccles was doing well in midfield, whilst Sakamoto was causing problems, the Millwall commentators apparently said about Wallace (the player who was marking Sakamoto) will have nightmares. Then George Saville must have held his breath as he went in two footed on Allen, he picked up a yellow card and again the local commentators admitted he was lucky to stay on. City then won a corner, our 82nd without a goal, but Josh couldn’t beat the first man, he did the same later on another corner. After 24 minutes both home and away fans applauded for a recent death of a young fan. It was Eccles again, who seemed to have worked out Wright, he played the forward in again whose shot was just wide. Then on the half hour mark, the ball came out of defence, Eccles played a quick ball wide, to Bidwell who raced unopposed towards the box, he played in Wright, with only the keeper to beat, but Bialkowski, saved with his foot, Godden was following up and his goal-bound header hit a player and went in, to end Matty’s long run without a goal. It was a goal we fully deserved. Millwall came forward, then we had a horrible flashback to last season as Collins came well off his line when he shouldn’t have, but thankfully, unlike Moore last season he got to the ball. Bradshaw then forced the first save of the day from Collins. Some great work out wide, with van Ewijk showing skill ended with Eccles having a blast from outside the box forcing a save and a Millwall player beating Godden to a tap in. City were looking comfortable, with the forward three proving a handful for the opposition, Sakamoto looking like he had the beating of his marker at every time. Then Millwall’s best moment a Flemming shot from outside of the box, forced Collins to get down smartly to pull off the save. The Lions ended the half with a bit of pressure, but the defence stood firm to take us into the break a goal up.

Second half City were attacking the away end of the ground. The Lions were still looking toothless in the 2nd half, but we were worried when one of their players found room on the right, near the touch line and played the ball back in, only for their player to plant the ball wide, this was shown on the screens several times to the delight of the away fans. Millwall made a couple of changes as they looked short of ideas. Another good attack saw Bidwell going forward, he played in the hard-working Allen, who drove at goal, unleashing a shot, their keeper pulled off a good save, but then everything seemed to go into slow motion as the ball was free and Sakamoto steamed in and buried the ball into the back of the net. The players mobbed Sakamoto and the fans went mad over the goal from the popular player. Not for the first time in the game, the excellent, but very complicated Sakamoto song was sung. City were now in total control, as I demanded Joe Edwards to be sacked. Collins had catching practice. Wallace finally caught up with Sakamoto but only with a foul and was booked. With six minutes to go changes as the goal scorers went off, Simms for Godden and Latibeaudiere for Sakamoto. Simms forced a save from the keeper after being set up by Eccles. Thomas then picked up a yellow card for a foul attempting to stop a counterattack. Then with three minutes to go Sheaf played a great ball into Wright, who again only had the keeper to beat, but looked frustrated when his shot was saved by the foot of the keeper. Corner, the 84th since a goal, Eccles took it and it had dip and swerve on it, eluding the Millwall defence and keeper, leaving Sheaf to throw himself at the ball to bundle it over the line for a goal. “You must be s**t, you must be s**t, we’ve scored from a corner, you must be s**t”. I tried getting going in the away end. Into injury time and a Millwall corner came in, Collins was beaten but Eccles was on the line to clear and the rebound was put over.
So, a great and much needed win. The players celebrated after and it was Milan leading the celebrating, he even came back to carry on the celebrating, making him even more popular than before.

Now to get home, The Police directed us to Canada Water Station, a good walk away, through the area that was once known as a notorious ambush area, where you wouldn’t want to step into, as an away fan, but times are different as we walked down the streets of London, as Ralph McTell once sung, covered by The Anti-Nowhere League. We were feeling like we were nowhere, as the station didn’t seem any closer, three of our party refused to take another step and ordered a taxi, only room for four of us in, so I decided to walk the final seven minutes to the station, five minutes later I was at Canada Water, waiting for the lot in the taxi. A pleasant trip home, via the tube, Chiltern Rail and my car arriving home near 9.30.

Man of the match
1st Josh Eccles: Passed well and set up a goal from a corner.
2nd Tatsuhiro Sakamoto Ran them ragged.
3rd Jake Bidwell Excellent.

Coventry City vs Stoke City

Mark Robins recently said he will not be throwing the baby out with the bathwater, which I took as not changing the formation, that has worked so well for the last three seasons or so, then crash, out goes the baby and the bathwater and a switch to 4-3-3, that formation we had looked better playing in the 2nd half at Preston. The other big call came in goal were last season’s Golden Gloves winner and record holder for the number of clean sheets, Ben Wilson was dropped giving Bradley Collins his league debut. The back four were Latibeaudiere, Thomas, Kitching and Bidwell, the middle three were Sheaf, Allen and Eccles with our only three fit forwards Simms, Godden and Wright up front. Stoke don’t tend to concede goals, and have kept three clean sheets in a row, but they have Michael Rose and Luke McNally at the heart of their defence. Last season Stoke inflicted our biggest defeat 4-0 at the CBS. It was Remembrance Day, as we had a minute’s silence followed by the Last Post.

So, the game got underway as we wondered if the new formation could work. Both teams were testing each other out without much happening. After five minutes the crowd sang the McFadzean song, in support of the player away on compassionate leave, after the death of his mother. Allen had the first shot of the day, the last Saturday home game of the year! The game wasn’t the best viewing as City were trying to find their feet, Wright was putting in more hard work on the left than I have seen all season. Stoke had the first shot on target but no trouble for Collins. The new keeper also seems adept at quick distribution, with this formation is harder to play out from the back. Coventry were slowly growing into the game when Bidwell fired in a cross and Simms rose at the far post only to plant a header against the woodwork. The Sky Blues were looking the better team when Simms set up Godden for a crack on target, an awkward bounce made it a tricky save for the keeper. Strangely, with fewer defenders City were looking less likely to concede with Kitching and Thomas striking up a good understanding. Not much else was happening, but after the total clown we had refereeing the last game, these officials ran the game well. The game looked like a 0-0 or a 1-0. The half ended with no goals, City edging the contest.

Second half started with both sides firing wide, as Eccles was trying his best to get City moving up the field. Wright then picked out Allen to force their keeper into a save. Collins then had to make a save on an otherwise quiet league debut for the keeper. Stoke had the first player to go into the book for a handball, cutting out a great cross by Bidwell. Stoke then missed with an overhead kick. Another cross by a player that many thought was more a fullback than a wingback fell to Kitching whose shot was blocked. Simms put one wide before Stoke made their 3rd sub. Then it was our turn as O’Hare and Sakamoto replaced Simms and Allen. Kitching then went into the book followed by a Stoke player. It was another cross from a corner that look like it was a goal, but Godden missed with his head and the ball hit his shoulder to go wide. Stoke put the pressure on but City defended well, but it needed a great block by Eccles to prevent a shot.

A scoreless draw and the run of defeats had ended. Hopefully we can build on this.

Man of the match
1st Josh Eccles: Played well in midfield box-to-box.
2nd Jake Bidwell Solid at the back, some good crosses.
3rd Liam Kitching Improving all the time.

Preston North End vs Coventry City

One stat every City fan knows is our record at Deepdale, not only City fans but even Radio Lancashire knew we had visited this ground in the League 21 times and no wins, there is no other record like it in English Football. Preston were also sitting on 1,999 League wins another one and they would be the 7th to reach 2,000. Meanwhile it was a real nightmare journey up the M6, for once nothing to do with the road, but because of torrential rain, the likes I have never driven through before, for such a long period. Despite that we made good progress and parked up in plenty of time. The lineup was changed again, and it was Wilson playing his 90th League game, Latibeaudiere, Kitching, McFadzean, Thomas, da Silva, Sheaf, Allen, Ayari, Godden (Pronounced Gooden by the PA) and Wright.

We attacked the far end in the first half, with a capacity away following, enjoying a rare Saturday game in Preston, as the rain had stopped. Early pressure was from North End, enjoying plenty of the ball and City looking shaky. Around me there was plenty of negative comments, mainly from youngsters (20-odd year olds) who may have not of had anything but good times at City. Osmajic had the first shot on target as City were trying to get on the ball. It was still all Preston as the midfield couldn’t get forward and Ayari looking far too lightweight for this division. Browne then had a shot on target as The Old Invincibles (they are to us anyway) were getting closer. Then it was a hold your breath moment after a Wilson went for a routine catch, the ball slipped through his hands and bounced inches wide of the far post. After twenty minutes City were looking a little brighter but PNE were still the better. Then out of nothing City sprung, a great ball from Sheaf playing in Allen on the wing, a strong tackle came in but the midfielder held onto the ball and got in a cross, the defender under pressure from Wright knocked the ball to Godden, his shot was saved by their keeper, only for Wright to be on hand for a tap-in and against the run of play City led. “We’re winning away, we’re winning away, how sh*t must you be, we’re winning away”, I tried the song with the word “at Preston” in instead of “away”. Minutes later in an attack the ball came in da Silva tried to clear with a back header, but it fell perfectly for Holmes and it was elementary for him to beat Wilson and the lead lasted minutes. Preston went forward and Osmajic sprinted past McFadzean into the box, for a one-on-one, but thankfully made a mess of it and put it wide, then the turning point, the referee a Mr Taylor, recently relegated from the Premier League for a bad decision suddenly gave a penalty, no one could believe, the away fans, the Preston players, no one, there seemed little, or more likely no contact and McFadzean was booked, if he made no attempt to win the ball then it should have been a red, the ref got this totally wrong, why are these refs allowed to drop to the Championship they should be running park football, without VAR they are clueless, this is one of the worst penalty decision I have ever seen in all my years of following football. Browne scored from the spot kick, with Wilson going the right way. Minutes later a Preston player tried to get Fadz sent off after going down. The Sky Blues rallied well with Sheaf having a shot on target, but the half ended with Preston deservedly in the lead, but we can feel hard done by with the penalty.

Second half, City kept them waiting a MR made some bold changes we switched to 4-3-3, off went McFadzean, who is starting to look a little slow and off went Ayari and too be fair should never get anywhere near our first team again, when everyone is fit and should return to Brighton. On came Eccles and Simms. Four minutes in a Preston player went into the book for a simple push, which wasn’t a yellow card by a referee who hadn’t a clue. We could see things had improved and finally we looked like we could be dangerous, as Simms got wide in the area and fired one in, that was an easy stop for their keeper. Now it was City that were picking up the loose balls and the crowd were right behind them; Sheaf tried a long range shot that the keeper tipped over the bar. North End, now worried started to waste time and the referee was never going to do anything about it. Their keeper pretended he had an injured arm, and the ref stopped the game, it wasn’t a head injury, so he should have continued. O’Hare came on for Allen and Bidwell replaced da Silva, City went all out. Preston were on the back foot, but started to get more of the ball then in the 71st a cross came in and a free header from Osmajic made it 3-1. Wright put one wide, before Simms, showed power and pace to go past a player, there was contact, more than Fadz did, Simms fired into the side netting. O’Hare then had a header saved and City were giving everything. A mad scramble at the other didn’t, somehow result in a goal. From this scramble, Wilson bowled it out to O’Hare he passed to Simms, who took off down the wing, he played the ball into acres of space, Eccles tried a blast, it took a deflection, and the keeper parried it, Wright was on hand for another tap in and City had a chance to rescue something. Another change van Ewijk replaced Godden. With the fans behind them it was mostly City and into injury time and a great ball went to van Ewijk, he played a great ball to Wright whose shot was blocked, preventing a hat trick. City kept pressing but couldn’t find a leveller. The City fans stayed and applauded the team off.

On the way home the rains came down again, maybe even worse, but we made it back alright.

Man of the match
1st Ellis Simms Made an impact.
2nd Jake Bidwell Looked promising when he came on.
3rd The fans Stuck with the team

Bristol City vs Coventry City

It was light showers on the way down to Bristol, the first time we played them away on a Saturday, that fans were allowed to attend since 2015. MR pulled two surprises to the line-up Sheaf was back in midfield despite the manager saying he had a set back and Sakamoto was to play in the attacking midfield role. The rest of the team was Wilson in goal, van Ewijk, Thomas, McFadzean, Binks and the former Bristol City player da Silva in defence. Eccles the other midfielder with Simms and Godden up top. This game saw the two longest serving managers of a Championship team go head-to-head.

We attacked the far end in the first half. The Sky Blues started off well, with some great movement, after three minutes some smart interchanges saw Sakamoto unleash a powerful shot that the keeper tipped over the bar. City kept coming forward, good work by da Silva found Sheaf and he tried a long-range effort that rattled the crossbar. City then won a corner and the ball fell to Sakamoto who just dragged his shot wide. Then minutes later da Silva escaped from the by line fed Eccles, his low cross was met by a Sakamoto back heel, it rebounded off a player and he set up Simms and he too dragged his shot just wide. It continued to be one way traffic as Simms set up Eccles, he had a blast, and we couldn’t believe it, he also rattled the crossbar. We then had a delay in the game for treatment to former City player Matty James, after he was accidently flattened by their keeper during a corner. The away side kept up the pressure, van Ewijk, found Simms, the forward laid the ball back to Godden, who join the players that pulled a shot just wide of the right-hand post. In truth we could have been six-nil up at that stage, The Robins had hardly ventured into our area. Then great skill by Simms, lobbing the ball over a player and then he advanced, finding Sakamoto, a pass back to Godden and into the net, but the linesman already had his flag up as Sakamoto was fractionally offside when he received the ball. Then a rare moment as Bristol broke via James, he found Wiemann and his shot forced Wilson into a save. Bristol got a bit more into the game, but City were still on top. Then late in the half and according to the ref Sakamoto fouled a player outside the box, the midfielder wasn’t happy the freekick was given. The kick was floated in Gardner-Hickman headed home, a goal totally against the run of play.

Radio Gloucestershire were shocked Bristol were leading.

The second half City attacked towards the away fans. We weren’t so dominate, but still by far the better team. Van Ewijk fired one high as he was giving their defence plenty of problems, Sheaf was running midfield. After ten minutes Wiemann scraped his boot down the leg of Binks, a yellow card, many would have given a red. At the other end Wilson saved from Knight. Another good move saw the ball heading to Godden for a tap-in but a Bristol player emerged from nowhere to beat him to the ball and concede a corner. Eccles was then booked as Bristol were playing like a smash-and-grab away team. With 15 to go Wright and Ayari replaced Simms and Sakamoto. Wright injected some energy into the team. The subs combined ended with Wright, also firing just wide of the post. Ayari then was book for a rugby tackle, before da Silva joined him. Bristol fans, started to wake up with ten to go, realising they could sneak three points. More good movement and another defender just beats Godden to prevent a tap in. Latibeaudiere replaced McFadzean late on. Godden had a shot blocked as he was set up by van Ewijk. Somehow Bristol hung on for an unlikely victory.

After the game the PA announced the sad passing of England legend Bobby Charlton.

Man of the match
1st Ben Sheaf Welcome back Ben
2nd Milan van Ewijk A strong player of the season candidate already
3rd Tatsuhiro Sakamoto Looks good as the number 10

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Coventry City vs Norwich City

We faced Norwich a team we first met in 1908, but our recent history against them is not great, no wins in the last eight games and only two of them were draws. The line-up was freshened up with Simms and Wright starting together for the first time, whilst Kitching came in for his first start and Sakamoto came in as a wingback. Wilson was in goal, playing his 100th game for the club, the others were Thomas, McFadzean, Eccles, Allen and Ayari. Norwich had former City player Sam McCallum playing for them.

McCallum got a boo with his first touch but then was ignored. Last season we had a bad start against Norwich, and it was almost as bad this time as a poor clearance from Wilson fell to Johnathan Rowe, but he advanced on goal and planted his shot high. Then a break saw Idah, out wide he cut outside and fired a shot in on target, but an easy stop for Wilson. McCallum then went on a run and after a quick one-two fired in a cross that Idah just missed. City started to get into the game from then on with both Simms and Wright having shots blocked. Norwich are a frustrating side building from the back, slower than any team I can remember. The number of times the keeper got the ball, threw it to one of his defenders on the edge of the six-yard box for a goal kick, he passed it back and the keeper waited for a player to close him down, to draw us out of shape. Wright put one wide before being blocked. Sakamoto was being targeted, not only physically but all Norwich’s attacks seemed to be down his wing. City kept plugging away and Allen set up McFadzean for the first shot on target. Kitching then had a header saved and a few more good blocks kept the scores level. Then with four minutes to go Norwich got out of their own half and made it into the area, Eccles, won the ball with a tackle, but lost it on the edge of the area, a back heel found Rowe who poked it past Wilson to give them the lead. It, including this game is 33 home league games, since were came from behind to win, that game was against Sheffield United, a couple of seasons ago. The goal was against the run of play, now we all feared Norwich would slow the game down even more. Simms had a chance to level before half time but headed over.

Half time we had the tributes to the City fans that had passed away in the last year, the most noticeable for me, was singer Vince Hill, who lived just over the main road from where the ground is now and former player Cedric Roussel.


Ayari was slowly getting into the game and tried a couple of shots. Meanwhile the ref was infuriating the crowd as he seems to have missed several fouls on Sakamoto, who was causing problems for Norwich. The away side continued taking their time for everything. Then a great chance, on the goal line Sakamoto slipped past his two markers and was about to venture into the box and was brought down, but not according to the ref, “You’re not fit to referee”, we sang. Minutes later, Sakamoto was fouled again and the ref, with a big smile gave us a free kick and the crowd cheered him. With Norwich happy to sit back and soak up the pressure, former Norwich forward, Mark Robins, made the changes, off went Kitching, da Silva and Wright and on came Latibeaudiere, Godden and van Ewijk, who recovered from his injury quicker than was expected. Sakamoto swapped to play at left wingback. A Norwich player finally went into the book. Then a change as Binks replaced Allen, Latibeaudiere went into midfield. The fresh players made a difference, as Fadz swept a great 35+ pass out to van Ewijk, the ball was lost and regained a couple of times, leaving Godden to square it to Eccles who hit a powerful volley straight at their keeper. Meanwhile Norwich tried to “park the bus” to see out the game. City where hunting them down now, as Godden robbed the ball on the touch line, again finding Eccles, whose powerful drive was tipped over. It was now all City with the crowd willing them on for another late goal. The central defenders were allowed to stand on the halfway line setting up attacks, one ball saw Latibeaudiere, break into the box, he pulled the pass back, to Eccles on the far side, but this time his shot was wide. Then with two minutes to go, City continued the siege, as Fadz, found van Ewijk out wide the wingback curled in a great cross and Gibbs rose to head it, it skimmed off the top of his head and into the net, it was exactly what City deserved. A minute later a launch by Wilson, found Latibeaudiere, he played in van Ewijk, he found room and fired in a shot, that wasn’t on target, but it hit a defender and needed a smart save by Angus Gunn to stop them falling behind. Ayari then picked up a deserved yellow card for miss timing a tackle, as City still looked likely to take all the points. The 4th official indicated 4 minutes of injury time, I thought it was five, many thought it should be a lot more. In the third minute another move saw a shot blocked and the ball free in the area, Sakamoto threw himself at the ball with a diving header, only for a defender to block the header, with their keeper beaten. It ended all level and Norwich were delighted to hear the whistle.

Man of the match
1st Tatsuhiro Sakamoto: Dangerous
2nd Milan van Ewijk Helped change the game
3rd Yasin Ayari His best game so far.

Queens Park Rangers Vs Coventry City

This was my 16th visit to Loftus Road, going back to the 1990-1991 season. It was a worrying trip down, with Rangers only winning one home match in the last 11 months and their manager’s appalling record against us, it all looked like it could end. A not too bad trip down to the Smoke, on a double decker coach, at the front. We parked up the back of the mass rank of coaches, another train strike forcing many to use them. After a walk around what used to be the old White City, Olympic hosts in 1908 and a World Cup venue in 1966, I had a quick look at the old BBC Television Centre. Then into the ground that hasn’t changed in the 33 years I have been going there. The main team news was Latibeaudiere coming in at right wing back and Allen starting his first game of the season. The rest of the side was Wilson in goal, Binks, McFadzean, Thomas and da Silva in defence, Eccles and Kelly the other midfielders leaving Simms and Godden up front.

City were in the new 3rd kit, the black and green mix that does look good. The game got underway and almost immediately a Rangers’ player went down, it was clear, he was injured and had to go off, replacing him was former City defender Jake Clarke-Salter, he got a few “City reject” chants but then was ignored. A few minutes later, a great chance, Thomas played in Simms who had sneaked in around the back of the defenders and ran in on goal, but his shot was inaccurate and went over. The game wasn’t the best spectacle but after 17 minutes we had some drama, a cross came in and Lyndon Dykes got a deft touch with a header, it was heading into the goal via the far post, until Wilson flung himself at it and brilliantly tipped it away for a corner, save of the season so far. Rangers kept on looking for a way through, but City defenders, kept patient and nicking the ball off them. The game petered out with not much happening. The reporter for Radio London said, “The Cov fans were making plenty of noise”.

The second half City attacked the away end. It was almost a great start, for after three minutes Godden flicked the ball on and Simms had another run, on goal from the side, he advanced on goal and fired a shot straight at the keeper, with Godden free wanting the ball and he wasn’t at all happy. Two minutes later it was Eccles who sent Simms through, he was finding space, but again a disappointing shot on goal. City were playing better, and the half was improving. Then QPR broke from a corner da Silva stopped an attack by grabbing a player and was rightly booked by a ref who, I thought was having a good game. A couple of minutes later, another booking this time for a Rangers’ player with a foul on Kelly. Then Allen was fouled, and City had a free kick near the penalty area. Da Silva swung the free kick over, Binks, headed back across the area and Simms threw himself at the ball, and buried it into the net, great celebrations and Simms was finally off the mark. City were buzzing, as City attacked again, a through ball was touched on by Allen, it went to Latibeaudiere, he slipped it to Godden and advanced into the area, Matty tried a blast, that would have tested the keeper, but it hit Joel, who tried to jump out of the way, the ball rebounded to outside the area, sitting up perfectly for Eccles to blast the ball, with a slight deflection back past their keeper for two nil. QPR made a change and their sub was soon in the book for a foul on McFadzean. Then the controversial moment, Thomas tried to shepherd the ball back to Wilson, a Rangers player nipped in, and Wilson seemed to have brought him down, the ref, with a quick check to his assistants didn’t give a spot kick. It was hard to see why he didn’t give it, looking back at the replays the ball was running away from the player, when he went over Wilson’s leg, so was it a dive? Then City attacked, the ball went to the livewire Allen, he advanced and put in a low cross to Simms on the other side of the area and the big forward doubled his goal tally, three goals in 12 minutes City were rocking. Finally, an Ellis Simms song started, to the tune of Love will tear us apart, by Joy Division, “Simms, Simms will tear you apart, again”. Everything was great again and Ainsworth was heading to another defeat against us. QPR looked lost, but they still had a chance with a long-range effort was pushed away by Wilson. Allen then went into the book, before another Rangers player. Ayari and Wright came on replacing Allen and Simms, after great contributions. City were looking for a 4th as Godden hit one high. At the other end a move saw Paal score a consolation goal. The game ended and now Gareth’s Ainsworth record against City as a manager is Played 10 Won 0 Drawn 1 Lost 9 For 8 Against 29! After the match the players came over and reminiscent of last season, players were pushed forward to get the applause, Simms seemed reluctant, whilst da Silva was loving his song.

Back at the coaches some QPR youth’s, had for some reason made it over to goad the City fans, some punches where thrown, before a mass of City fans chased the locals away. A good run home and back 25 minutes before 9.

Man of the match
1st Jamie Allen: Excellent in midfield, linking up the attack and others.
2nd Ellis Simms: Goals at last.
3rd Ben Wilson: Vital save.

Cardiff City vs Coventry City

This was my 12th trip to Cardiff to see a game against them, six at Ninian and six at this ground. For once I had a full car as we travelled down in warm and wet weather. A decent trip down the motorway, despite being stuck behind a train on the M40! No seriously, we had a wide load transporting a train carriage. Reaching Wales and their much publicised 20mph speed limit to their streets, we parked up in the normal place. Inside the ground, which has safe standing, we saw the team, Wilson, da Silva, Binks, McFadzean, Latibeaudiere, van Ewijk, Eccles, Kelly, Palmer, Wright and Godden.

Both teams were in their respective blue colours. It was not the best of starts to the game as City were pushed back and struggled to retain the ball. After eight minutes, Cardiff won a corner and Rolls played it in, Goutas rose unopposed to plant a header past Wilson. This already had the hallmarks of a long night. The Bluebirds continued to look hungry as City couldn’t get any movement going. Then a great cross was whipped in, and the Cardiff player should have got the shot on target. Cardiff kept on being the better side and another goal would have finished us. Slowly we started to find our feet and get forward, but there were too many square passes from our wing backs, as they didn’t seem to want to take a player on, or not the quality ball to release them to the wing. We then won a corner, Eccles, took it, it was punch clear by their keeper, it fell to Latibeaudiere on the edge of the area, he knocked it sideways to Kelly, he played it in first time and Godden connected to steer it past their keeper, a real, bolt out of the Sky Blue and a real poacher’s goal by our top scorer. We were now back in the game as we tried to win from behind in the league for the first time in 58 games. We got to half time all level.

The Sky Blues were attacking our end in the 2nd half and the game looked even. Then van Ewijk went down injured, and Sakamoto came on to his own song, which is. “When you score you make the City sing, Tatsu on the wing, Sakamoto on the wing, every time you’re on the ball we know, there’s going to be a goal, our superstar from Tokyo”. The Tokyo superstar made an immediate impact, suddenly we had a wing back willing to take on a defender and he caused them problems, so much so they put two defenders on him. City now seemed more in control of the game, then, out of nothing a deep cross came in and Grant threw himself at the ball for a diving header past Wilson. Collins was first into the book, as he was time wasting. City then carved a great opening after good play, Godden fired in a cross, it took a slight deflection and Palmer hit it, forcing a good save from their keeper. Robins made more changes and on came Liam Kitching for his debut, replacing Binks. Kelly was taken off and replaced by Ayari. The young midfielder made an impact, as he seemed to have the type of passing ability we needed, he and Wright both had efforts. Godden was then booked by a referee, who on the whole had a good game. Jamie Allen then came on for his first game of the season and Palmer, who had a poor game went off. Allen got straight into the game and finally City had some attacking energy in midfield. Simms came on to replace another anonymous performance by Wright. Then just as we seemed to have the momentum Ng, played a ball over the top of the defence, Etete was left unmarked and finished in the far corner. City now pushed forward and for the first time were looking dangerous. At the other end Latibeaudiere hauled down a player heading for the box, the ref only gave him a yellow card. We had ten minutes of injury time, which looked dead on to me. Ayari was hacked down and a Cardiff player’s name went into the book. 96 minutes gone, Ayari played da Silva in, finally a ball for a wingback to get to the line with, Jay got the ball and crossed, Godden flicked his header past the keeper to give us hope. City couldn’t force an equaliser.

The game reminded me of the bad away days before Robins became manager, hopefully he can find the correct mix of players soon.

Getting out of the car park was a pain, but nowhere near as bad as Hull, after a rainy trip back via the back motorway of the M50, after the M40 was closed and dropping of my passengers I got home at 1.30.

Man of the match
1st Matty Godden: Two goals
2nd Yasin Ayari The type of passing our team needs
3rd Jamie Allen Pepped things up when he came on

Hull City vs Coventry City


As a birthday treat, I decided this game would be one I would stay over for. So, off nice and early for Hull, arrived at my hotel at just past 3. Checked in, had a steak, before at six setting off for the MKM Stadium. After parking in the only nearby carpark, the surrounding area of the ground, cheep at £5, but a congestion nightmare. I made my way into the ground. Mr Robins sprang a few surprises, a defender making his league debut wasn’t Kitchen, but Luis Binks, Latibeaudiere had returned from international duty for Jamaica and started, unlike Palmer, who was on the bench. Sheaf was missing because of an injury, a big blow. The rest of the team was Wilson, van Ewijk, McFadzean, da Silva, Eccles, Kelly, Ayari, Wright and Godden. Before the game we had a minute’s silence for the victims of the terrible earthquakes in Morrocco and the terrible, flood in Libya.

This game was moved back because of a rugby game at the ground on Saturday, must be terrible to share with a rugby club. Both sides unbeaten since the opening day, with Hull fresh from a win at Leicester. The Tigers attacked our end in the first half as van Ewijk deflected a shot over for a corner. It came short and a cross went along the six-yard box, with no Hull players there to score, then Connerly had a chance but knocked it back across the goal for a goal kick. The away fans were in good voice and cracked out a “new” song, based on the song Tequila, which first saw the light of day, in our charts in 1958 as The Champs reached number 5 with it. The fans dar-darred the instrumental parts, before shouting “da Silva” instead of Tequila. Hull like to use the high ball aimed at out centre back, hoping to exploit the perceived lack of pace there. After being under some pressure, The Sky Blues took time to get into the game, when we did some good passing found da Silva, unmarked but his shot was wide. Then a great touch by Godden sent van Ewijk down the wing, he outpaced the defenders and made it to the by-line, before his cross was blocked for a corner. Eccles took the corner and picked out Latibeaudiere, unmarked, but he flicked a good header into the net to give us the lead. A Sky Blue flare was thrown onto the pitch and a young “fire steward” went on to deal with it, but he walked away, to let it burn out before tackling it. Wright then had a chance but put it over after being played in by Ayari. At the other end Delap tried to cut inside the City defenders in the box, but two of them blocked his shot for a corner. The corner came in and was headed on, suddenly Connerly, appeared from the pack unmarked, he threw himself at the ball, made contact but knocked it wide. The referee was making some strange decisions and had a poor game, but this opinion was shared by some Hull fans tweeting into Radio Humberside. Before the break Hull had a couple of half chances whilst City were looking for the fast break.

Second half saw Cyrus Christie, who last played for us nine years ago come on. Early in the half the reported Sky Blue target, Scott Twine, swivelled on the edge of the box and tested Wilson, who had to push his shot away after an awkward bounce. As the away fans were belting out The Sky Blue Song good work from da Silva, opened the door for Eccles whose long-range shot wasn’t too far wide. Minutes later City won the ball and Wright sent van Ewijk away, again he had the beating of the defenders, he played in Godden whose shot was blocked, it fell to Kelly outside the area and his blast was saved by their keeper. The ref was still given them most 50/50 decisions but thankfully their free kicks were poor, so much so, even the resident rugby club would be embarrassed by the kicking being high and wide. Wilson had to save again, this time from Twine. Palmer replaced Ayari. Then some great ball control from Christie, set up Twine, but Wilson did really well to stick out a leg to deny a goal. Simms replaced Wright and Bidwell replaced da Silva. McFadzean then was the first player booked, firmly in the “take one for the team” category. Bidwell and Eccles then both went into the book, for no obvious reason, as Hull players were getting away with lots. With three minutes to go a corner for Hull went wide, it was played back in and Connerly got a deft flick on the ball, sending it past Wilson to level the game up. City almost responded as Godden broke but couldn’t pick out Simms. The ref then lost the plot, booking Latibeaudiere and then Binks who was being pulled to the ground in the centre circle by Connerly, he also got a booking. Delap was the last in the book as the game ended with our 4th draw in a row.

Radio Humberside were impressed by the Coventry fans and Ben Wilson, they said their next home game, Leeds, will not be as tough as this one.
Now it was a real nightmare getting out of the car park, after an age I got back to my hotel at 10:45, just in time for a couple of quick pints before bedtime, knowing many City fans would not make it home until after one.

Man of the Match
1st Milan van Ewijk Dangerous all night
2nd Ben Wilson Just for Radio Humberside
3rd Jay da Silva Another great outlet.

Coventry City vs Watford

The sun was out in full force as we looked forward to, incredibly our last Saturday home game until October the 7th! The transfer deadline day was fairly quiet with the chairman spending over £4 million on a new kitchen, or maybe Liam Kitching, despite Sky Sports claiming Barnsley had just bought him from us. It was too late for the defender to be included in the squad, so the line up was Wilson, van Ewijk, Thomas, McFadzean, Latibeaudiere, da Silva, Eccles, Sheaf, Palmer, Wright and Godden.

It was a slow start to the game as both teams liked to pass from the back and both liked a high press. In fact, Watford’s pressing was impressive as City, at times struggled to get the ball rolling. A swift run by van Ewijk was the first highlight of the day, as the wingback carried the ball down the pitch. Watford had the first two efforts both blocked, before Sheaf fired over after a free kick. Then da Silva went on a good run to the edge of the area, his cross was seemed to be handled by Porteous in the box, the referee agreed and pointed to the spot. Godden stepped up with ten out of ten conversions, in the league from the spot, for us, but their keeper, Backman guessed right and kept it out, it was only the 2nd time in Godden’s career that he failed to score from the spot, in normal game time. Both sides had shots before Eccles went into the area and seemed to be brought down, the ref decided it was a dive and booked the midfielder. City kept looking for a way through and Palmer almost provided it, with a good run, finding Wright, whose shot was straight at Backman. Porteous then was booked for a foul, but should he have been booked for the handball for the penalty, earlier on as well? City fans were getting frustrated with the slow build up from the back as The Hornets were sniffing around looking for an error. Then Watford counter attacked from a corner, Tom Ince advanced wide, with the centre back three, all in the wrong positions, he crossed for Rajovic to score. City concede, first, in the league, at home for the first time, since we played Watford, late last season. Watford fans started to sing. The Sky Blues hit back as van Ewijk, set up Palmer for a shot at the keeper. Then with five minutes to go, Sheaf went on a run and was brought down by a clumsy challenge by Sierralta, he was booked. The free kick was some distance outside the penalty box, and we were surprised when van Ewijk, stepped up to take it, last game he surprised us with his long throws, could he take a free kick as well? The answer was a definite yes, 30 yards out a shot over the wall bounced and went into the net, this Dutchman, achieved something that a certain Dutchman, from last season couldn’t do a goal, direct from a free kick. Van Ewijk then set up Wright for another pop at goal, as the Watford fans had shut up again. Half time 1-1

The 2nd half City set out to do something they failed to do last season, win from behind, in the league. The last time we did that was at Birmingham in the 21-22 season, coming from two down with Sheaf grabbing two and O’Hare with his sunglasses, at home it was Sheffield United, that including this one would be 30 home league games ago! Would City go a bit more direct in the 2nd half, as the Watford press was so looking to cause problems?

The 2nd half got underway with another good run by van Ewijk saw him spread a ball to the opposite win to da Silva to race onto, but after the move broke down, it was clear Jay was carrying an injury and was replaced by Bidwell, a player one rumour said he had a medical at Huddersfield, proved to be false. Early in the 2nd half Martins got the ball wide near the halfway line, he got behind the wingback and raced unopposed into the area, before curving a great shot around Wilson, to give them back the lead. Watford fan started to sing again. Watford made a sub, as Asprilla replaced Ince, I wasn’t having a 1980’s flashback, but the sons of Faustino and Paul are well established players. The Hornets made another two changes to hold on to the lead. Watford attacked again and cut City apart, it looked a goal all the way until McFadzean dived in to intercept a pass heading to an unmarked forward. McFadzean then went into the book, Then out of nothing, Watford were passing the ball around at the back, Heodt had the ball and Godden ran to close him down, but no real pressure, then the defender, without looking played the ball back to his keeper, Backman was out of position as the back pass was on target and we couldn’t believe it as the ball trickled into the back of the net. The Watford fans stopped singing again. City fans delighted them selves by shouting “shoot” every time Heodt got the ball. City made two changes as Sakamoto replaced van Ewijk and Ayari replaced Eccles. Sheaf then was booked for a “take one for the team” tackle. Minutes later, something City fans had feared all game, the Watford press, forced an error, Thomas, under hit a back pass in his own area, Bayo, seized on the chance and poked it away from Wilson, leaving Rajovic for a tap in and Watford took the lead again. Watford fans started to sing again. Palmer forced the keeper into a save, as City tried to find their way back in again. Then Sheaf had to dash back to pull off a perfectly timed tackle in his own area to prevent a goal. Three minutes from the end of normal time, Sakamoto placed a good long ball to Wright, the forward took off with a defender in pursuit, out muscled him, who fell to the ground hoping for a free kick, before getting in front of the another, then pulling the ball back into the empty space of the box, but he saw Godden advancing and Matty buried it for 3-3. Matty fired up the “lawn mower” and entered the top 20 of Coventry City League goals scorers (if you count own goals), pulling level with Terry Gibson. Watford fans went quiet “sing when you’re winning”, has never been more apt. Simms replaced Palmer. Three minutes into injury time Heodt was booked for a bad tackle on Wright, who went passed him. Sakamoto took the free kick out wide and delivered it, Backman missed the cross and McFadzean, off balance could only head it into the side netting. Then a City attack broke down and Watford sprang forward, Asprilla race with the ball he seemed to have plenty of options as he approached the area, but decided to go for goal, Wilson did well to flip a fast moving swerving ball over the bar for a corner. Full time 3-3 great entertainment.

Man of the Match
1st Milan van Ewijk: Got pace and can take a freekick.
2nd Kasey Palmer: Always prompting City to get forward.
3rd Haji Wright: When fitness levels improve, he will remind us more and more of Gyökeres.

Coventry City vs Sunderland

Last week we played Swansea, a team we hadn’t won away against since the 1950’s, today we entertain Sunderland a side that hadn’t won in Coventry since the 1980’s. Two former Sunderland players lined up for City, Wilson in goal, came through their youth set up but didn’t play a league game and Simms, on loan last season and scored 7 league goals. The rest of the team was: da Silva, Latibeaudiere, McFadzean, Thomas and van Ewijk in defence, in midfield was Eccles, Sheaf and Palmer with Godden being the other forward.

It was another bumper crowd against a team some younger fans consider as a hated rival. There was a good atmosphere. The game got under way as both teams probed each other for an opening. Ekwah was first into the book, the ref let one or two things go before that. O’Nien then followed him into the book as not much was happening. Palmer was trying to get things moving as Eccles was using the ball very well in midfield, before he had a shot blocked, from this shot Palmer played a great ball into the box, Godden stretched for it, got a toe on it but could only direct it into the hands of the keeper. Da Silva was proving to be a good outlet out wide as City were looking the better side, but Sunderland looked capable on the counter. Palmer then went into the book for a missed timed tackle. Godden then had another effort saved by their keeper. We saw a great piece of skill in our box, a Sunderland player flicked the ball over his own head, got on the end and shanked it well wide. We then won a throw in, McFadzean whistled over to van Ewijk, “what was going on?”. The wingback got the ball for a throw, “have we got a long throw expert?”, the answer was yes, the Dutchman launched a throw into their area that Sunderland struggled to clear. Not since Sam McCallum, have we had a player capable of a long throw, but Milan’s is more reminiscent of Aron Gunnarson’s throws. Into the last-minutes and Palmer, played Simms through, it was a tight angle, and he forced the first real save from their keeper. Another missile from van Ewijk, was cleared to the edge of the area, and da Silva fired just over. Half time no goals.


The 2nd half got under way and soon had to stop as McFadzean, seemed in trouble, with a foot or ankle injury, after an accidental contact. He was back in time to defend a corner. Wilson had his first catch a long-range effort and no trouble, followed by another easy save a minute later. Sunderland were looking better in the second half as McFadzean took a full blast of a shot in the face and Latibeaudiere deflected one just over his own bar. At the other end da Silva found Godden with a cross, he headed at the keeper. Palmer, then had a great turn and powerful run into the box, before shooting low at the keeper. In midfield, City were still keeping hold of the ball with Eccles growing into the role left by Hamer, who was in the stands watching the game. City were pressing Sunderland at the back effectively, stopping them building, meanwhile our passing was swifter, and we could build up. Cirkin was then booked for bringing down Ellis who look like he was about to burst into the box. MR then made the changes as Palmer was replaced by our newest player Yasin Ayari a Swedish International, loan player from Brighton and very highly rated. Wright replaced Simms, as the latter was showing improvements on his performances so far. The subs almost combined to force a goal as Ayari, played a great pass to Wright, the forward forced the first real save of the game for their keeper. City were still defending well and from one corner could have had a goal, as Ayari, got the ball and tried to beat the keeper, who was off his line from distance, but pulled his shot to the right. Minutes later another cross was blocked by McFadzean, that went straight on target, but Wilson spotted it for a save. Both sides went looking for a winner, but the game faded out into a 0-0 draw.

A fare result as the team is still knitting together.

Man of the match
1st Josh Eccles: Thriving in midfield.
2nd Kyle McFadzean in the wars but won the battle.
3rd Jay da Silva: Settling into the side.

Swansea City vs Coventry City

The long trek to Swansea was on, with a 20-minute break and slow going near Cardiff, as usual, I arrived in Swansea after four hours. Our record against The Swans is truly horrific, no wins against them for 15 games, never beaten Swansea City away, the last time we won there was in 1950 and they were called Town then, eleven away games there since without winning. There is always hope. The pre-match talk was a bad injury to Palmer, but it turned out to be family connected. The Sky Blues line up was Wilson in goal, with da Silva, Latibeaudiere, McFadzean, Thomas and van Ewijk at the back. Eccles, Sheaf in midfield with Sakamoto playing in the Palmer role. Up front was Wright making his first league start partnering Godden up front.

The game got underway with recent Swans’ defender Latibeaudiere getting booed with every touch, which is good news, because they must have rated him. Swansea attacked our end in the first half and Fulton had the first shot, going to the right of Wilson’s goal. At the other end Wright fired wide after Sakamoto set him up. This wasn’t the best of games with both defences on top. Meanwhile the ref was letting a lot go and wasn’t having a good game. After 28 minutes it was Swansea to have the first shot on target, but a simple catch for Wilson. The Sky Blues were looking the better side and were passing better than Swansea, which would have been unthinkable in the last couple of seasons. Some of the Swans’ crossing was very poor. Then seemingly out of nothing, City attacked down the right Sakamoto passed to Wright in the area, his first touch set up Godden who scored. A very rare lead in Swansea. Could we secure a rare win at Swansea? Then a cross and alleged City target Yates, flicked a header past Wilson and the game was level. Half time all level, the Radio Wales reporter said Coventry were the better side.

Second half The Sky Blues’ attacked our end. Both sides struggled to create anything in a game that wasn’t very good. Later the Radio Wales reporter said his team lacked in midfield but wished they had a player like Sakamoto. Latibeaudiere was the first one to pick up a booking. Thomas missed from a corner in a game lacking entertainment, going back to the Radio Wales reporter again, he thought the game was entertaining, which means he must have seen some pretty dire games recently. Wilson had another easy catch. The main centre of attention was the performance of the referee who seemed to miss many fouls on our players and fell for Swansea players taking swan dives. First chance was when van Ewijk had to go off with an injury, on came Kelly, Eccles switched to wing back. Later Wright was replaced by Simms as City had a corner. There was a lot of holding and shirt tugging, the ref tried to sort it out, but it continued. Sakamoto continued to receive some rough treatment, including what looked like an elbow, missed by the ref. Finally, a home player went into the book, later a second one went in for kicking the ball away, as Swansea were wasting time, at home as the game was level. The player that was booked was Matty Grimes, grandson of former City player Ashley Grimes, feeling really old. City were building up a head of steam, trying to win the game, late on. Later into injury time Kelly fired a shot on target but an easy save. The game finished and still no win against Swansea, but a good point.

After slow going getting out of Swansea, I got home with a take-away near 9.

Man of the Match
1st Matty Godden: Worked hard and another goal.
2nd Tatsuhiro Sakamoto: Filled in well at number 10.
3rd Kyle McFadzean: His usual rock at the back.

Oldham Athletic Vs Coventry City


So the last game of the season and I took up driving duties to the north west of Manchester. Got there fifty minutes before kick off to a place that in the past was a real dump but things have changed since earlier last season, a new main stand is now in use and the big car park is now tarmaced. We were housed in the opposite end as normal so Boundary Park is one of the few ground I have see City in three difference sides. The main team news was a debut for the centre back Cian Harries. The full line up was Reece-Cook in goal, with Vincelot, Harries, Stephens and Hunt, in midfield we had Fleck, Bigirimana, Lameiras and Rose with Thomas and Armstrong up front.

City defended the end we were housed in a stand with a very low roof. All eyes were on the new boy early on but the lanky defender looked cool. Oldham looked better early on as Cookie needed to come out of his goal to head clear. City started to get more into it and from a corner Bigirimana headed wide. Armstrong, desperately trying to get his 20th almost intercepted a back pass to the keeper. City were looking solid at the back as Oldham fired wide. City won another corner but it was wasted with City fans singing “we never score from corners”. Oldham then came very close with a header but Cookie pulled off a brilliant save to concede a corner. The backing from the away end was superb considering we had nothing to play for. City were starting to play some good football with Bigirimana tidy in midfield. City were getting closer when Thomas had a chance but he decided to play in Armstrong and the opportunity was gone. City then came close with an Armstrong cross was met by Thomas who should have scored but he hit it too high. In the last second good work saw Hunt get a shot in on target. Half time no goals City still looking good for a top ten.

Another debutant was ready for the second half as Dion Kelly-Evans came on. The twin had a couple of nice touches and runs as City attacked the away end. The game itself now was looking like an end of season contest with no much happening. First sub saw Gadzhev replace Lameiras and the Bulgarian had several nice touches on the ball. Not long after Murphy came on for his swansong replacing Hunt. This change helped to energise the team and it seemed to be “let’s get Arma his goal”. City were increasing the pressure and had a great chance when Stephens had a shot blocked on the line but the ball fell to Vincelot with only the keeper to beat but Dummington spread himself well and blocked the attempt. Murphy took the corner and sent it in well, Vincelot got up and flicked the header past the keeper to give us the lead. Everyone now just wanted Armstrong to score as Murphy set off on a long dash up field and shot across goal but Armstrong didn’t read it and it went wide. Minutes later Armstrong had a chance but it was blocked. With ten minutes to go Murphy made another good run and picked out Armstrong wide, as the fans were trying to suck the ball into the net Armstrong checked to his right then moved to his left before blasting the ball past the keeper to finally signal his 20th, the away fans celebrated and Armstrong was mobbed by his team mates including Reece-Cook who had ran the length of the field to join in. So the season ended with an 8th placed finish only our second top ten since Sillet, the best goal difference since it was introduced, the best points haul since 3 points for a win came in and the same number of points was the previous season’s 6th placed team.

Man of the Match
1st Adam Armstrong: Never stopped working and finally 20 goals.
2nd Cian Harries: Cool debut
3rd Gael Bigirimana: Might just be a good player for next season.

Coventry City Vs Sheffield United


So for the final home game of the season saw Sheffield United visit Coventry for a league game for the first time since August 2012 since the last two visits where in Northampton. 13,000+ turned up as City attempted to finish in the top ten of a division for only the second time since John Sillett was sacked over twenty years ago, we do really suffer. Also and amazingly remain unbeaten and City would have the best goal difference just Jimmy Hill lead us to promotion. The line sup were, in goal Charles-Cook, with Vincelot, Martin, Stephens and getting a rare start Hunt, in midfield we had Fleck, Cole, Rose with Armstrong dropping deeper and a first home start for George Thomas who has been impressing in the U21’s and finally up front was Fortune. The Blades still had a mathematical chance of the play offs.

City attacked the North Stand in the first half and minutes into the game Fortune got the attack rolling by finding Armstrong out wide, the forward cut in and had a blast at goal, Fortune was in the path of the ball and attempted to get out of the way but it hit him wrong-footed Long in the goal and City led. City kept up the pressure and minutes later Cole played a great ball through and Rose was first to react to lift the ball past the keeper and it was 2-0. Was another Bury on the cards? I tautened the United fans that “this will happen when we have a neutral ref”. City fans meanwhile were booing McEveloy every time he got the ball because he was the one that hacked down Lameiras in the away game and wasn’t sent off, it wasn’t his fault he didn’t receive a red card he tried his best. City, not surprisingly were looking confident as Thomas got a shot in on target. Slowly The Blades started to get more into the game with some good passing in a game well run by Mr Davey. Hunt seemed to be the weak link in the back four but both Martin and Stephens were defending well. The pressure had to tell and a cross from the right saw Che Adams hit one wide, so we thought until a corner was given after a good save by Charles-Cook. The rain then started to come down as City were trying to hit United on the break. Another attack went past Hunt and Charles-Cook came out wide in his area but the player beat him to the ball as the keeper back-peddled the defence remained solid to prevent any attacks. The pattern stayed the same for the rest of the half with United pressing but City looking solid.

The second half saw no change in the play in an enjoyable game. The keeper had to be alert to keep them out in the 50th minute. Minutes later Stephens, a player we would all love to see next season, had a mazy Konjic style run up the field winning a corner. The referee then got into the action with a blatant dive yards outside the penalty box but didn’t book himself. Despite their pressure Sheffield didn’t look like scoring as Sharp fired wide but then Mr Davey emerged and pointed to the spot, by the ref’s actions looks like he spotted a push by Martin in the area. Sharp took it and blasted it straight and United were back in the game. City now were getting more into the game as Cole saw the keeper of his line but couldn’t get enough bend on the shot to score. The first change was made as Thomas went off after playing well and on came Jones to see if he could finally be on a winning side in the league for the first time in his career. Rose then went down with an injury and was replaced by Phillips, who according to his Dad will be leaving the club in the summer. City players were working hard and many several good blocks to keep the lead as the rains stopped and the sun came back out. Mowbray then decided to go for a different approach, taking off Fortune, who had played well and brining on Lameiras, so going for pace up front to hit The Blades on the counter-attack. Fleck picked up his normal unnecessary booking before the ref managed to catch a throw in before ordering a retake. City were now finding holes in the Blades defence as Jones and Lameiras both had shots blocked. Then with three minutes to go Armstrong found Jones, the wide player made a run into the area and found an unmarked Lameiras who beat the keeper for his first home goal. In the dieing minutes Lameiras went forward again and had Armstrong in acres of space signalling for a chance for a long awaited 20th League goal but the Portuguese player hit one on target forcing a good save. Finally Mr Davey blew to signal what was a good home campaign.

City will miss out on the play off maybe the defeats at Sheffield United, thanks to the ref, Shrewsbury and Peterborough, thanks in not being able to convert chances cost us. The wins at home this season is the highest since the 1987 season. The player did a lap of appreciation well received by the fans one year it may be a lap of honour.

Man of the Match
1st Jack Stephens: One of 14 defenders we have used this season.
2nd Aaron Martin: Consistent
3rd John Fleck: Player of the season in my opinion

Doncaster Rovers Vs Coventry City

Twos win a row meant that City’s season was still alive as we travelled to the always friendly Doncaster. Rovers looked doomed until a recent upturn in form has given them a chance. City’s team for the penultimate away game of the season was in goal Reece-Cook with Phillips, Martin, Stephens, Ricketts, in midfield we had Jones, Fleck, Vincelot and Rose with Armstrong up front.

City started well attacking the end we were in and made inroads. Five minutes and won City a free kick taken by Jones it only juts missed Rose at the far post. At the other end Rovers went close. Armstrong won a corner as City were edging it and looking good going forward. Next chance came when Jones and Rose combined to set Fleck up for a shot at the keeper. At the other end Reece-Cook had to stretch to knock a cross out for a corner. The corner was taken by Gary McSheffrey who is the driving force behind Rovers resurgence, he swung the corner in and Rowe flicked it home and yet another goal conceded from a corner. City hit back with Armstrong getting in a shot and the lively Rose shooting over. Then in the far penalty area McSheffrey went down with and injury and had to be taken off with good applause coming from the City end he was replaced by Nathan Tyson. Minutes later Tyson was given too much room down the wing he crossed and Williams was left all alone to nod past Reece-Cook to finish off our season, it was a bad goal to concede. Doncaster now full of confidence took control whilst most City players lost heart. Ten minutes later City mustered an attack but the keeper, Matthews slid in on the far right of his area to collect the ball but his momentum took him and the ball outside the box and City had a free kick but the referee Mr Hadley, angered the away fans by not booking the keeper. Doncaster saw out the rest of the half without any bother.

The second half saw Doncaster camped in our half with a series of corners. Changes were finally made when Tudgay replaced Jones and Vincelot was replaced by a player making his debut in Vladimir Gadzhev, City’s first ever Bulgarian player. Now he came from Levksi my second favourite team, so I had a couple of “Levski” chants and “We hate C.S.K.A” with Kev replying with “on your own”. The midfielder looked tidy on the ball. Just after an hour Armstrong got a weak header on goal prompting the City fans to sing “we’ve had a shot on goal”. Maddison came on for Murphy as City were not really looking like they could get back into the game. Tudgay put a header wide before Reece-Cook showed good reactions to keep Tyson out. Fleck put one across the area before the poor ref finally decided to book a player. Doncaster coasted to victory in a poor City performance.

Man of the Match
1st Andy Rose: Shows promise for next season
2nd No one else:
3rd The fans: 46 years no top six always next season

Coventry City Vs Bradford City

With the play offs still a mathematical possibility City took on their fourth top six side in a row as the Bantams were in town a team that last lost in Coventry in 2001. T.M tinkered with the formation for the battle against the most physical side in League one by play five at the back including wing backs. In goal was Reece-Cook with Phillips, Vincelot, Martin, Stephens and Ricketts at the back, in midfield we had Lameiras, Maddison, Fleck and Cole with Armstrong up front.

The game kicked off and Bradford hoofed the ball in the first seconds. The visitors started off the brighter and Reece-Cook had an easy deflected shot to save. Backed by a noisy travelling army they drove their team on and City were guilty of losing possession in midfield with surprisingly Cole the main culprit. City were knuckling down to some hard work to keep the visitors at bay with a couple of good blocks. It was easy to see why Bradford concede so few goals and why they have trouble scoring as well typified by Kyle Reid, skilful fast but unable to deliver. City now had got into the game and started to dominate possession but Bradford are well drilled and City found it hard to break them down, all-in-all it wasn’t a great spectacle. City kept probing and finally won a free kick when Cole was brought down, Maddison took it and it deflected off the wall and keeper Williams managed to clear. At the other end referee Mr Lewis missed a clear foul on Cole forcing Ricketts to clear for a corner to break up the attack. City were patiently making inroads into Bradford when a good ball found Ricketts he beat one player and was just about to shot when he was deigned by a perfectly timed tackle. A big moment just after 30 minutes when Armstrong on the ball in the area had his arm pulled and was dragged down but no penalty. The half seemed to be heading for no goals when the lively Lameiras entered the area and seemed to be brought down from behind still no penalty. Half time came as the fans booed the referee for not pointing to the spot.

The second half continued in the same vain as City keeping the ball and Bradford attempting to catch City on the break but when they did they shot from distance and not very accurately. With the game at a stalemate T.M decided to change things but the two coming raised quite a few eyebrows, Rose and Bigirimana replaced Cole and Lameiras. Seconds later a high ball was sent to Armstrong a defender got to it but only clear it in the path of Rose, the sub didn’t break his stride but smashed the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the area; we all agreed Mowbray was a genius after all. Bradford hit back and should have levelled when Clarke had a free shot on target but fired wide under pressure. Rose then had another attempt on goal as the game was hotting up. Then at the other end a header seemed to be looping over the keeper but Cookie got a hand on it to tip it over. Tudgay replaced Maddison as an outlet but it was now mostly Bradford. Rose and Fleck picked up yellow cards as the game went on. City were defending well and withstanding the physical approach. Then with eight minutes of normal time remaining Stephens went down on the edge of the box it was right in the eye line of the Linesman, Mr Lewis ran over and with a quick glance to his assistant showed Steve Davies a straight red so he could retire like his snooker almost namesake. Looking back on match highlights it was clear the Bradford player kicked our defender off the ball and could have no complaints. Vincelot also picked up a yellow card as it was backs to the wall time. Bradford sent on the dangerous target man James Hanson. They kept up the pressure but City were defending well helped by Reece-Cook coming off his line and dealing with corners. Fleck had a shot on goal as five minutes of injury time was announced. They kept bombarding the defence but everyone was working hard but the referee decided to give them a free kick after it looked a good challenge, Evans took it but Cookie dived to his left to pull off a good save. Deep into injury time far more than I thought Bradford won a corner their goalkeeper came up for it but it was cleared and the referee blew for full time signalling an interest still in the season.

Man of the match
1st Reece Charles-Cook: Commanded his area well
2nd Jack Stephens stood up to the physical aspects until he was kicked down
3rd Arran Martin: Solid at the back

Coventry City Vs Millwall

On a cold day City took on Play Off chasing Millwall at the Ricoh. The Loins brought a good following up from darkest deepest London to see if they could revenge their mauling earlier in the season. City’s team was in goal Reece-Cook, with Phillips, Martin, Stephens and Ricketts at the back, Lameiras, Fleck, Vincelot, Rose and Cole in midfield with Armstrong up front.

City attacked the end with the Millwall fans in the first half but it was the visitors looking more confident early on when O’Brien fired on target Reece-Cook did well to turn the ball around the post after seven minutes. The game itself wasn’t great with both sets of defenders looking solid. At the other end City had a chance when Phillips volleyed in a shot in the style his dad used to hit them but this one was wide. The London side still looking better when they had a shot blocked. Millwall had another corner minutes later and the ball sailed in and Webster was unmarked and headed home to give them the lead. Phillips had a shot blocked at the other end as the Millwall fans taunting Joe Cole for his West Ham connections. A couple of missed shots from both sides but it was looking easy for the visitors. City then had a shot that hit the post and Cole slotted the ball home but the linesman already had his flag up for a clear off side. After 26 minutes Millwall won a free kick but then inexplicably Millwall’s Williams squared up to little Lameiras and planted a head but square on him, there was a bout of handbags before the referee Mr Haywood got around to the only option possible and showed the Millwall player a red card, he also booked Lameiras for reasons known only to himself. Suddenly City had a way back into the game. Millwall now dropped back to defend the lead and hit City on the break whilst City started to keep possession and patiently look for a way back in. Lameiras was being booed by the Millwall fans every time he touched the ball for having the effrontery be being head butted. Changes were made to the Millwall side and surprisingly for City as well as off went Vincelot on came Maddison, no doubt swapping ball winning for ball retention. City started to camp in the Millwall half as both Phillips and Fleck had a shot blocked. Fleck and Cole were pulling the strings in midfield as we approached the end of the half. Fleck then forced a corner after the keeper saved a shot as City were getting closer. Rose headed the corner over. City were staring to break through in injury time as Ricketts had an header then Maddison had a shot blocked before Armstrong drove one across the box with no one able to get a touch the half ended with the visitors in front.

City players came out followed by the officials but they went back in as Millwall were not out yet the waiting City players were encouraged by Cole into another huddle as it seemed the visitors were trying to waste time even before the half had started.

City started well in the second half as Ricketts found Lameiras who fired wide. City are not a good side to play if you have a player off since we are very good at retaining the ball and passing and Millwall found it hard to get out of their own half with Cole and Fleck running the show. Maddison was then played in by Cole and tested the keeper. Maddison had another shot blocked as City kept up the pressure without looking like to break through. T.M then decided on a bold move off went Ricketts and on came Tudgay, with Rose dropping back at left back and City going two up front. Millwall enjoyed a rare attack at the other end just firing wide. The Chim Chimmery song came out from I think the Millwall end aimed at West Ham or it might have been the City fans as Villa were being relegated; both sets of fans hate those chaps in claret and blue. City kept up the passing and in the 61st minute Phillips knocked the ball back to Fleck who unleashed a terrific shot 25 yards straight past the keeper and City were level. It was Fleck’s eight league goal for us four of them this season, let’s hopes he signs up for another season with us. The Lions hit back with a couple of corners that thankfully City dealt with. With the sun blazing down on my left we where treated to the bizarre sight of snow falling to our right for a couple of minutes. Both Phillips and Armstrong had shots as it was again total dominations by City. Murphy was being warmed up and was ready to come on as City attacked again but he had to sit back down again because Armstrong entered the area and his shot was deflected wide but Tudgay took off after it the keeper looked favourite to reach it first but the forward dived in and poke it past him to give City a deserved lead. Millwall tried to hit back but City now had a grip on the game as I started to countdown the minutes left. With five minutes of normal time left Lorentzson came on for Lameiras. One moment of panic when Reece-Cook came too far off his line and his punch wasn’t great but Millwall couldn’t get a shot back in on goal and City survived. City seemed to have seen the game out when the hardworking Tudgay got around a defender and was brought down in the box, free kick to Millwall signalled Mr Haywood maybe just the right decision. With Millwall pouring players forward City caught them on the counter with Armstrong running at them he found Maddison but his shot was wayward close in to the goal. Straight from this Millwall attacked and got a shot in that was heading for the top corner until Reece-Cook superbly tipped it over; City defended the corner before the ref blew for full time to signal a much needed win.

Man of the match
1st John Fleck: Great goal from a great player
2nd Joe Cole: Kept things ticking in midfield
3rd Aaron Phillips: Getting better all the time needs a new contract.

Wigan Athletic Vs Coventry City

We decided to take the Sky Blue’s Trust Coach for our first visit to Wigan for ten years. We stopped off at Newton-le-Willows had a bet on the Grand National and had a pleasant hour in a nice pub before setting off again. The team news had then come through and there was consternation on the coach as six loan players were in the squad, one more than permitted but ten minutes later Maddison was dropped from the bench, next season we need far fewer loans. The line up was in goal Charles-Cook, with Phillips, Martin, Stephens and Ricketts, in midfield we had Fleck, Vincelot, Armstrong, Jones and Bigirimana with Tudgay up front.

A good turn out in the away end saw City attack the far end in the first half against the league leaders. Bigirimana found Vincelot early on who fired wide. City had started off well against the big spending team when Armstrong got a shot on target. Jones was looking lively on the wing whilst Martin was cleaning things up at the back. City kept pressing and Fleck forced the keeper to turn a shot around the post. Former City loanee Leon Barnett then headed one wide from a corner as both sides seemed evenly matched. One thing Wigan were better at than City was falling to the floor as they kept doing this throughout the game and the referee fell for it, so to speak. One tumble saw a free kick that was headed away by Martin who was ahead of the line when the kick was taken. Jones had a shot on target before Tudgay forced one inches wide. Half time no goal the team applauded off.

Second half Wigan came out fired up with a chance to pull clear at the top started to stroke the ball around well and City struggled to get out of our own half. The first change happened as Bigirimana was replaced by Cole. The pressure continued when former City player of the season Stephen Warnock found the £900,000 striker, Grigg who scored from close in to give The Latics the lead. Cole was then booked the only thing he did during the game before the manager brought on Murphy and Fortune for Vincelot and Tudgay. Fortune, a former Wigan player received plenty of abuse from the Wigan fans. Wigan a team that wasn’t even a league side the last time we ended in the top six. The pressure kept on as the subs offered nothing when a Wigan player went down int eh area the referee waited before pointing to the spot, up stepped Grigg but after conceding over 15 penalties this season Charles-Cook guessed correctly diving to his left to pull off a great save, oh how we celebrated. City were still solid at the back but carried no threat up front as many of our players seemed to be already on the beach. The game ended in a 1-0 defeat and the season thankfully is nearly over.

Man of the Match
1st Aaron Martin: A rock at the back.
2nd Reece Charles-Cook: He saved a penalty!
3rd John Fleck: If he goes we will miss him

Gillingham Vs Coventry City

A rare occasion this season as all five of us travelled to Gillingham but before at our meeting point at Lutterworth we had our tradition English breakfast to start of the day off. The long trip down went off without a hitch and we arrived in good time for the team coach. Stephen Hunt had yet another new look shaving his bear off whilst former Levski player Vlad was on the coach and inside the ground Peter “The Cone-Man” was putting him through his paces were the Bulgarian looked knackered. The theory coming down was the pressure was off City so they could relax and play better whilst the pressure was on Gillingham the side we demolished 4-1 to go top which was a false dawn. The starting line up was announced and it had a few surprises, first off Armstrong was on the bench, the line up was Reece-Cook in goal, with Ricketts, Martin, Stephens and seemingly from nowhere Phillips. In midfield we had Vincelot playing in yet another position as he was deployed in the attacking midfield role with the disappointing inclusion of Bigirimana in midfield, also playing there were Fleck, Murphy and Jones with Tudgay up front on a rare start.

Thankfully there was no rain as we took to the open seating area behind the goal before kick off. The Gills started off slightly better attacking the end we were in and had a header on target after six minutes by the mask wearing player Ehmer but no trouble for Reece-Cook in goal. After 13 minutes Gillingham had to make a sub as former loan player Samuels was forced off with an injury he received reception from the City fans, on came Rory Donnelly a player that came on loan at City but only lasted a day before running off home to Swansea and what I saw I glad he did. Gillingham had a shot blocked but City were looking solid all over the pitch even Bigirimana was having a good game in midfield as when he got the ball he held it and passed to a team mate, whilst Vincelot looked good in his attacking role but also dropped back to cover a suspect looking Ricketts at left back. City kept it tight as Gillingham just looked poor up front and in fact at the back Tudgay was winning all the headers before Bigirimana flashed one not too far wide at our end. His performance divided opinion after the game with receiving 4,5,6,7 and 8 out of 10 from the five in the car after. City were looking good down the right with Phillips combining well with Jones who started to get into his stride and taking on the opposition left back. One moment the new winger skinned his full back but couldn’t deliver the final ball. Half time no goals but the City fans a lot happier with the performance.

Second half City attacked towards us as Gillingham were still looking really poor and had a shot go wide. Tudgay then fired wide before the first sub as Armstrong came on but surprisingly it was Jones and not Murphy that went off but apparently Jodi had a dead-leg. Gael had another shot that had us jumping up for a second. City were now looking the better side when Murphy cut in and sent a shot over the keeper only for it to hit the crossbar, Vincelot was convinced the keeper got a touch but the referee who wasn’t very good awarded a goal kick. It was a pretty poor game with not much happening but City still looked the better. The P.A. then announced that the defender El-Abd was given man of the match seconds later he cleared the ball over the stand “that’s why your man of the match” we sang. As the game was looking like a bore draw there was a mistake at the back and Tudgay raced in and beat the keeper but his shot hit the bar and was clear, we were that close. The ref blew for full time and we left pleased with the performance.
Man of the Match
1st Aaron Martin: Solid at the back
2nd Gael Bigirimana: Best game of the season by a mile
3rd Romain Vincelot: Looked good in his new role

Coventry City Vs Colchester United

Some bright spark though Tuesday night was a better option than Wednesday of even next week, this meant for the first time in a generation City were playing at the same time as England, that coupled with rain, the season almost over and modest opposition meant a small crowd but it peaked just over ten thousand which is not bad considering. The team for our last chance of saving the season was in goal Reece-Cook, with Lorentzson, Stephens, Martin and Ricketts at the back, in midfield we had Fleck, Vincelot, Cole and making his home debut was Jones leaving Fortune and Murphy in the more forward roles.

The sides changed ends before kick off with City attacking towards the small but admirably hard core Colchester fans in the first half. City looked busy early on as Murphy had a shot charged down before winning a corner but there were eyebrows raised at the set piece tactic, Cole took it but both Murphy and Jones stood outside the area. Pretty soon though Colchester started to take a grip, yes Colchester a team ten points from safety with the worse goal difference in the division. They came close with a good ball in that Lorentzson did well to avoid scoring an own goal. City were struggling to get out their own half but when they did it was normally Jones on a run and a good ball from the new boy found Murphy who blazed over. Then another move from Colchester saw the ball cross and Massey close in for a simple goal to give them the deserved lead. City looked lost and their slow passing and build up play reminded me of Pressley in his worse days. Cole had a couple of efforts one wide and another one straight at the keeper. Vincelot headed wide from a Cole corner as City started to make inroads and the fans started to get behind them. City keep pressing and near the end of the half Vincelot as in the box he turned and was pulled down, penalty said the very good referee Mr Robinson and no one could argue. We were all surprised to see Murphy step up and take it, he fired tamely to the keepers left and he saved and yet another penalty wasted. Half time the team was booed off.

Second half started with United in their orange kit sitting back which was good news for Ricketts who was struggling to keep his winger in check. One player that seemed to have confidents was Jodi Jones who time and again ran at his full back but we will soon coach that out of him. Jones was then seemed to be hacked down in the area but we wouldn’t have scored from it anyway. Vincelot had a shot charged down as he started to play more and more up field as the game went on. City’s slow tippy tappy passing wasn’t working. Finally a change was made of went Fortune and on came Lameiras. Tudgay then replaced Murphy and the forward did well to get a volley away from a corner but he couldn’t keep it down. Colchester, a team with an appalling goal conceding record looked comfortable at the back and Reece-Cook had to be alert to keep his team in it. City did get another effort on target a header from Tudgay and that forward was the last non-City defender to score with a header away to Crawley last season! City kept trying but their keeper had a quiet second half before the referee called a halt to the season.

Man of the Match
1st Jodi Jones: Skilful but one footed.
2nd Romain Vincelot: Tried playing defensive and attacking midfield in on e game
3rd The Fans For turning up.

Peterborough Untied Vs Coventry City

Out of the 21 times we have played a League Game on a Good Friday 17 of them had been away and we only won four of those. So a trip on what seemed like the wrong day but thankfully it was only Peterborough not too far to travel for a Sky Match at night. Both teams were missing two first team regulars from the line up and if wasn’t on Sky Peterborough would have got the game called off. TM had to shuffle the pack and sent out his side; in goal Reece-Cook, with Ricketts, Martin, Vincelot and Lorentzson at the back, in midfield we had Cole, Bigirimana, Fleck and Rose, Murphy was playing in the Armstrong position with Fortune up front. With results going for us a win would put us back into the top six as Mowbray and his staff seemed already building for next season with some signings.

The Posh started the better with by far their best outfield player Maddison slamming a free kick into the wall Joe Cole then did the same at the other end as we soon coached his set piece ability out of him. City started to take the upper hand and gave United’s defence problems and almost took the lead when Fortune pulled the ball back to Cole and the former England international was turned over by Alnwich in the home goal. City kept up the pressure with Murphy looking a lot better in his role when he almost broke the deadlock, racing onto the ball he hit a blistering shot that hit the post and the referee Mr Kavanagh awarded a corner meaning Alnwich had got a hand to it. City kept up the pressure and won another corner, Cole delivered it well and Rose headed wide. Now I started to have a feeling of déjà vu as the same thing happened at Shrewsbury with City cutting the oppositions to pieces without scoring. Murphy was again on the run and got past his defender only for the keeper to save again, by now City should have won the game. City kept going as Fortune got into the box drew the keeper out and knocked the ball over him but Posh had defenders on the line and they cleared. I was getting increasingly nervous as City couldn’t get the ball into the net when Murphy got in a shot but it lacked power. It was all City when Ricketts decided to go on a long run ending with a powerful shot that again Alnwick tipped over. A minute later he was at it again this time turning a Fortune shot around the post. The home side seemed to have ridden the storm and forced Cookie Monster into his first save. The Posh started to win a series of corners before half and the inevitable happened when Bostwich headed home from a Maddison corner to give the home side the lead. We were in a state of shock it was Shrewsbury all over again.

TM made a change at half time giving a debut to Jodi Jones the midfielder with a girl’s name and his hair in a bun, who can’t get into the first team of the worst side in the league and has never been on a winning side but he did look useful after a good ball from Bigirimana the Number 45 had a shot that looked on target deflected wide. Fleck then had a shot saved. The Posh were getting more into the game when they spotted our weak link, Bigirimana always turns back when he gets the ball to get the ball on his favoured foot the Posh midfield knew this and the midfielder started to lose the ball. That was enough for the boss as he took him off when threw Henderson on to pep up our attack. Minutes later Maddison, Peterborough hold on to their Maddisons, crossed and Angol rolled the ball past Reece-Cook to make it two in front of a disbelieving away following. City kept the attacks coming as Murphy found himself in a wide position in the box he blasted for goal only for the post to save Peterborough; things were not going our way. Minutes later Posh won a corner but City broke at pace though Murphy, he raced down the wing and squared the ball were the oldest player on the pitch, Cole was on hand to stroke the ball home and bring City right back into the game. With the away fans still buzzing suddenly Henderson had a free run on goal but inexplicably fell over with no one near him has the City fans had their heads in their hands. Jones who showed promise for next season had a shot saved. If City’s luck wasn’t in they could be no doubt as Reece-Cook saved well but it dropped right in front of Beautyman who couldn’t miss and somehow we were 3-1 down. Fortune was then taken off with what looks like and injury and Tudgay came on. Peterborough were allowed to get away with blatant time wasting before Maddison had two good efforts go over before man of the match Alnwich saved from Cole and Fleck before finally a great save from Ricketts before the end.

Man of the Match
1st Jacob Murphy: Better option at the moment than Armstrong
2nd John Fleck Played well in midfield
3rd Marc Antoine-Fortune Lead the line well.

Coventry City Vs Swindon Town

So the Robins were in town with an incredible record against City no defeats in the last ten league games they also brought a large away following boosting the attendance. The line up was in goal Reece-Cook, with Lorentzson, Martin, Stephens and Ricketts at the back, with Fleck, Vincelot, Cole, Rose and Armstrong playing just behind Fortune up front. Town are on a good run unbeaten in the last six and this game was billed as the battle of the hot shots as Ajose was top scorer with 20 and Armstrong still stuck on 19.

City started fairly well when a Cole cross wasn’t too far away from Fortune. City looked balanced going forward with two players that look like being here next season impressing Rose was the main one but Lorentzson also looked useful when he picked out Fleck who shot wide. The game itself wasn’t great despite both teams wanting to get the ball down and play but both defences were well on top as Swindon had a shot blocked. Swindon started to up the pace and had a shot blocked before getting one on target but no trouble for the keeper that broke the no conceding record against them earlier in the season. A touch of dithering left Swindon on the attack until Vincelot took one for the team and was booked by the good referee Mr England. Rogers took the free kick and for a spilt second it looked in but it hit the back of the net from the wrong way round for Swindon. Reece-Cook had a couple of catches from shots but in truth City’s defence had a tight grip on Ajose and Co whilst things were not running for Armstrong at the other end. Joe Cole had a tame effort on target as the pattern continued. Later on Cole then put in a perfect cross and Rose dived in to put the ball in the back of the net totally unmarked but a linesman flag was up and we had to sit down again. In the dieing seconds of the half a cross came and Obika couldn’t make contact with the goal at his mercy.

This game was finely balanced and I had the feeling one goal would win it for either side. Before the start we had the unpleasant sight of one of the Swindon players throwing up on the pitch. The game started and Swindon were still edging the tie when Reece-Cook had more catching practice. Swindon fans sang “you only here to see the Town” it must be nice for them to go into a ground that doesn’t look like a fire trap. With the game going nowhere both managers opted for a change for City Murphy replaced Cole and Maddison replaced Fortune. The changes helped to get City more of the ball as Maddison went down but it was a foul. Murphy had a shot blocked before the final sub was sent on. Henderson replaced Lorentzson and City had a targetman. This changed worked as the big guy up front was winning his fair share of headers. Both sides had attempts but only half chances then it could have broke for City as Murphy won the ball and charged into the box but he delayed a second too long and his cross pass to Henderson was cut out. The big forward then volleyed embarrassingly wide. Still both defences were well on top had it was hard to see who Ajose and Armstrong had scored 39 league goals between them. Deep into injury time City won a corner and it fell to Henderson he had a shot heading toward the top corner but Belford in the away goal somehow kept it out and we had to settle for a point.

A win and we would have been back in the top six and it looks like a battle for the 6th place but the fans did applaud the team off after the efforts.

Man of the Match
1st Andy Rose: Looks a good prospect for next season
2nd Jack Stephens: Solid at the back
3rd Aaron Martin: Ajose in the back pocket

Blackpool Vs Coventry City

With three of our normal party off on jollies in Blackpool Paul and I took the coach for the long trip to Blackpool after a good journey to the seaside we arrived in enough time to have a look around. We walked to the Tower before a stroll along the prom but no brass bands playing. Inside Bloomfield Road we were in a different stand to the one we have been in for others games in here as we looked for our first League win here since 1922-1923. The team was in goal Reece-Cook, with Ricketts, Martin, Stephens and Stokes with Murphy, Vincelot, Fleck, Maddison in midfield, Armstrong playing deep and Fortune up front. This was a massive game with Blackpool struggling and we losing four in a row a win was needed to keep in touch with the top six. Three thousand away fans turned up many on spending the weekend there matching the numbers of home fans at a club in a massive spiral.

The pitch wasn’t looking in the best condition as the game got underway. City conceded a corner early on as the relegated threatened team started well. Meanwhile the City fans sang “We want Oyston out” in support of the home fans wish to get rid of their not very unpopular owner. Charles-Cook then made his first save as City were finding it hard to get forward. Finally City got going and a good move saw Fleck fire just wide. City were defending well with Martin looking good at the back. City came close with Stokes heading the ball just over at the other end. The game itself wasn’t great and it was very tense. Murphy put one wide after a good attack. City won a corner and Murphy sent it over, Martin headed it but it seemed a simple catch for The Seasiders keeper Doyle who played once in the League Cup for us, but he couldn’t hold on to a routine catch and Fortune was on hand to blasted it into the roof of the net from a couple of yards out. City fans let off a sky blue flare in the side stand. Not long after Blackpool came close with a rasping shot that for a second looked in but was just wide. City looked in control with the home side looked poor with their right back Boyce looking really poor. Fortune was leading the line well when Murphy had a shot blocked. Fleck had a shot blocked as the game went on well run by the referee Mr Brown. In the last five minutes Reece-Cook saved well before the half came to an end with City in front.

Second half City were kicking towards the away fans. Not long into the game a City player was fouled but Mr Brown waved on an advantage that was immediately lost. The young City fans near us had a remarkable depth of knowledge of old songs as they sung tunes to Norman Greenbaum’s Spirit in the Sky from the 19070’s, the Logic Song from Supertramp in the 1980’s and Achy Breaky Heart from Billy Ray Cyrus sang in praise of John Fleck. City gave away a soft corner but the defenders were playing well and Reece-Cook handling was good. Reece-Cook made a standard save as it was still very tense. First change for City as Rose replaced Maddison. Murphy headed over before they had a shot blocked. Murphy was then replaced by Cole. Blackpool headed wide was we started to count down the time. Blackpool never looked like scoring but with City only a goal up anything could happen. Fortune was then taken off with great applause from the away fans and was replaced by Tudgay. Stokes put one just wide with a header as City couldn’t get the killer goal. Blackpool sub Ikpeazu had a chance from a corner but blasted it embarrassingly high. Back at our end Armstrong seemed to be dragged back when he was played in by Tudgay and we demanded a booking from the ref who awarded a City free kick only when he saw his linesman he reserved the free kick. Rose got a header on target but an easy catch for the keeper. With not long left Stokes went down and stayed down as he seemed to injured his knee it looked serious but Pool were still attacking soon the ref called a halt to the game and Stokes was taken off with the City fans singing “We love you Stokesy”. Now City had to play with ten men and the injury meant a seven minute injury time to survive. Rose dropped back into the left back slot. As Blackpool pressed an increasing number of sea birds settled on our half of the pitch maybe a vulture or two to feed on Blackpool. The home side were pressing as Ikpeakzu handled the ball and City blocked a shot as the countdown continued another blocked shot saw the game in the last seconds when a cross saw the ball enter the back of the net but immediately we could see the Blackpool players not celebrating and Mr Brown pointing indicating a free kick before booking Samuel for a handball seconds later the ref blew for at last a win in Blackpool and our first single goal victory since Port Vale on Boxing Day.

Man of the Match
1st Aaron Martin: Outstanding at the back
2nd Mark-Antoine Fortune: Led the line well.
3rd Jack Stephens: Defended well.

Shrewsbury Town Vs Coventry City

A slow drive up to Shrewsbury but were got there in plenty of time for our game in hand. The line up was in goal Reece-Cook, with Ricketts, Martin, Stephens, Stokes in defence, Cole, Vincelot, Fleck, Murphy in midfield, Armstrong playing the number 10 role with Fortune up front, now we all wanted a forward to come and partner Armstrong up front but not Fortune.

City attacked the far end in the first half and Armstrong was brought down in the opening minutes forcing the pretty good referee Mr Stocksbridge to hand out a lecture. City kept up the pressure as Armstrong had a shot charged down and Cole curled one over. Murphy then busted forward but was hacked down by Whalley who found his way into the ref’s notebook. The free kick was knocked to Fleck who tried his luck from distance the keeper seemed to have it covered but it slipped from his grasp and Martin was on hand to score only his second goal for the club, what a start. City now were back in the top six and looking a lot better. Murphy went close with another shot as the pressure continued. Then out of the blue Murphy lost the ball and it was played to Kaikai who raced forward rounded the keeper and levelled the game. Despite that City were still looking the better side and the one that was really impressing was Fortune up front, who was holding the ball up well and getting the midfielders into the game. Another free kick and another shot by Fleck again saw their woeful keeper fail to hold but it fell to Stokes who couldn’t tuck it away. City kept the pressure on with some good football as Fleck tried a chip that wasn’t too far away. Fortune gave the Shrews trouble at the Ricoh and he was proving a handful again freeing up Armstrong in a slightly deeper role. Not long after a delightful ball by Fortune freed Cole on the right for a run in on goal he had a chance to square it to Armstrong but decided to shot and that was noting short of dreadful way below a standards of a former England regular. Town were at full stretch to contain City and soon one of their defenders had to go off after picking up an injury chasing Armstrong. Fortune was enjoying himself and set up a chance with a back heel to Murphy forcing the keeper to block. It was still nearly all City when Fleck had a shot deflected wide. Murphy then went close with another shot as City were on top but couldn’t get a goal the play deserved. Into the last five minutes and Shrewsbury started to get forward more as Whalley slipped past Stokes the fullback tugged him back giving them a free kick and no complaints about a yellow card. The kick was taken and Whalley headed it past Reece-Cook to give the home side a totally undeserved lead, I was in shock. Now Shrewsbury were on top buoyed by the goal when Black unleashed a terrific shot that was goal-bound Reece-Cook got a palm to it to deflect the power drive over the bar. Half time somehow City were losing.

City now attacking the end where we were pressed early but the home side broke up the attack and lunched themselves downfield, Vassell outpaced Ricketts and looked like he had a clear run down the wing but then suddenly we saw Reece-Cook haring out of his box wide and slide in to execute a perfect tackle any defender would be proud of. Meanwhile back at the other end Shrewsbury were sitting deep and trying to hit City on the break but City’s passing was good and soon won a free kick, Mr Stocksbridge lined up a wall that didn’t look the correct distance away but Cole’s kick was poor and straight into the wall. It was an exciting game as City were pressing hard and the home side got forward in numbers and they nearly wrapped it up but a header was planted over. Then Reece-Cook had to pull off another good save from long range. Fortune was still using the ball well and played in Armstrong who couldn’t get the power on for a shot on target. At the other end a shot by Shrewsbury’s Cole dipped and bounced awkwardly but Reece-Cook was equal to it for another good save. The first change was made as Lameiras replaced the disappointing Joe Cole. City soon after won a free kick as the City fans mockingly counted out the steps of the ref as he measured the distance of the wall, Armstrong then took the kick that just sailed over. Armstrong had another tame effort but Lameiras was close to deflecting the kick. Murphy then worked a good passing move ending in him shooting from a narrow angle and forcing a corner that was the last of Murphy’s action as he was replaced by Henderson. City now had two big men up front as Henderson played through the centre Fortune pulled wide and was using the ball well in and around the box. Maddison then replaced Vincelot. Fortune had a shot blocked before Stephens was rightly booked for tripping a player. City kept up the pressure with Armstrong having a couple shots as he attempted to reach the magical twenty league goals mark. City threw everyone forward in the dying minutes but could find what would have been a deserved leveller and City slipped to their fourth defeat in a row.

Man of the Match
1st Marc-Antoine Fortune: A handful all night
2nd Charles Reece-Cook: Three great save and one great tackle.
3rd John Fleck: A big danger from midfield

Coventry City Vs Rochdale

With City’s bad form continuing only just under 10,000 fans turned up to see us take on Rochdale. Changes were made and the line up was in goal Charles-Cook, with Ricketts, Stephens, Cargill and Stokes at the back, in midfield we had Fleck, Vincelot, Lameiras, Cole and Maddison with Armstrong up front. Rochdale were in a kit very similar the green and black stripe away kit we used to have.

Rochdale started the better winning a free kick and a corner with City’s defence looking a bit shaky. Dale had the first shot on target but it was an easy save for the keeper. Dale won a couple of more corners as City found it hard to get moving, Armstrong was isolated again as Rochdale along with every other team in League One now knows how to play against us. Joe Cole seemed to be the one to get things moving and finally he did when he got into position and found Maddison he fired at Lillis the keeper but he couldn’t hold onto the ball Armstrong closed in but couldn’t keep his shot down. City were slowly getting into the game and pressing forward and Maddison got one on target after half an hour. Armstrong then did score but he was off side in a game that was run well by the officials. It was an even contest and City had to block a shot after a corner. Cargill then went down after a tackle and the cruse of the big central defender seemed to have struck for the third time this season. Vincelot struck a long range effort well but the keeper was fully behind it. City blocked a couple of efforts before right on half time Armstrong finally got a good ball and he blasted it right in the top left hand corner but Lillis was equal to it and pulled off a good save.

Half time saw Cargill go off and he was replaced by Lorentzson. The game wasn’t a great spectacle the first to score would win it. Both sides pressed but City were lacking a cutting edge. At the other end from a corner it looked like Dale would score until the ball hit a Rochdale player and the ball was cleared. TM decided to act to end the stalemate on came Murphy for Lameiras. Fans were now getting annoyed by Maddison falling over all the time making it easy to mark him out of the game and that is in League One. Another sub was sent on but not Henderson as the fans wanted but Fortune. To be fair the big forward made a difference just after coming on by holding the ball up and getting to the by-line and then firing in a cross. Both keepers pulled off routine save as we entered the last ten minutes. In the last minute Fleck fouled a player and the ref awarded a foul it as seconds later we realised it was a penalty. Now we all know Charles-Cook hasn’t got close to any of the 14-15 penalties he has faced this season and true to form he dived the wrong way to give Dale the victory. City fans left depressed and outside the top six in a season that could be one of the biggest anti-climax for some time.

Man of the match
1st Joe Cole: Tried his best to get City rolling
2nd: John Fleck: 150th league game needs a new contract
3rd The Fans: The ones that turned up tired their best

Barnsley Vs Coventry City

Almost a year since Mowbray had taken over and in that time earned 71 points in 46 games we were back at Barnsley the scene of his first game. Our record in this town in March is awful seven games one draw and six defeats. It was a wet day as we got into the ground and a switch of formation as we set out 4-4-2. In goal was Charles-Cook, with Ricketts, Stephens, Cargill and Stokes at the back, in midfield we had Murphy, Hunt, Fleck and Vincelot with Tudgay and Armstrong up front.

Barnsley attacked the away end in the first half backed by driving rain and strong winds. City were pushed back as a cross went in and Fletcher headed towards goal only for Reece-Cook to turn it over the bar. It was still all Barnsley as they were giving evidence why they had won their last five home games. City tried to get going but the midfield were finding it hard to pass. The Tykes kept up the pressure and the keeper had to be alert to save for a corner. The set piece was delivered and centre back Roberts rose and planted the header into the top right hand corner to give the home side a deserved lead. City fans were getting annoyed by the slow build up from the back which everyone knows we do and is easily countered. A longer ball might have brought Tudgay into the game as the few occasions he got the ball he used it well. The only real threat for City was Murphy, who always had two men on him. City won a couple of corners taken by Hunt but he consistently failed to beat the first man and his performance overall was dreadful, he can’t pass, he losses possession and he has an unfashionable hair cut. City did finally get the ball to Armstrong and he tried a first time shot forcing a good save from the keeper. Barnsley broke from another wasted corner and forced Reece-Cook to save again. Barnsley had a big penalty appeal turned down by Mr Joyce who did seem to favour the away side. Fleck too wasn’t having the beast of games but he did pick out Tudgay with a cross but his header was straight at the keeper. Being unable to use his feet in playing Hunt then used his hand and gave away a cheap free kick. With six minutes to go more dithering at the back saw Ricketts play a poor ball back to the keeper and Fletcher was on to it but Reece-Cook’s tackle was well timed and the ball was cleared but the keeper went down clutching his knee we all feared an injury but thankfully he recovered. In the last minute finally Hunt played a good ball into the area for Fleck but he fired wide. The half time whistle came and City supports stood and applauded the team off at half time giving them excellent backing.

The second half had to be better with City attacking towards the away end and with the wind at their backs. City did look better in the second half as Murphy was finding room and despite being marked by two was starting to find room. Vincelot was floored with the only bad tackle of the night and his assailant was lucky to escape without a card. Minutes later the Frenchman went off and was replaced by Rose. T.M finally had enough of the inept Hunt and had Maddison waiting to come on but a series of set pieces kept him on the touch line. Reece-Cook again had to tip one over and concede a corner this corner came in and the keeper lost the ball leading to an easy tap in for 2-0. On came Maddison for Hunt and Henderson replaced Tudgay. Fleck who was well below his best at least had a shot on target. City at least were looking more dangerous but Barnsley were now sitting back and hitting City on the break it was the two central defenders that stood up and stopped any break aways. At the other end Murphy got into the box on a couple of occasions but couldn’t pick anyone out. Maddison got a shot in before a good run from Murphy forced a corner that Maddison wasted. The 2.2 million man then fell over and won a free kick which he blasted into the wall. City kept trying and in injury time Madison beat the keeper but a defender cleared the shot and that was it.

Somehow we remained in the top six but we need to find away of winning close games others wise we could have a very disappointed end to the season.

Man of the Match
1st Jacob Murphy: Looked our only dangerous player
2nd Charles Reece-Cook Some good saves
3rd The fans: For the half time ovation.

Coventry City Vs Fleetwood Town


I counted 35 away fans when I took my seat at the Ricoh there were another 80 out of view in what must be the smallest away following I can remember on a Saturday. City had an unchanged side that hammered Bury two weeks ago with Reece-Cook in goal, Ricketts, Cargill, Stephens and Stokes at the back, Murphy, Fleck, Vincelot, Cole and Maddison in midfield with Armstrong up front. It was Fleetwood’s first ever visit to Coventry, a team that had an amazing rise through the leagues but where now in a relegation battle.

City had the first chance with Armstrong firing over early on. Fleetwood were playing deep but were trying to pass the ball in a manner that we would except from a Steven Pressley team. Armstrong fired wide again and City kept probing not helped by Maddison falling to the floor with the slightest of challenges. Fleetwood had a shot before Vincelot got on target in a pretty dull encounter. Fleetwood started to get intro the game a bit more but Stephens and the defenders were standing strong limiting them to inaccurate pot shots. Then after twenty minutes Vincelot received a yellow card for tripping Fleetwood’s Sarcevic from the good referee Mr Davies. Fleetwood had a shot on target before Murphy went close. Now Murphy was receiving some stick for his performance but he look the most likely to create an opportunity as the rest of the midfield were not performing too well. City started to pressure the away defence but were finding it hard to break through as Stokes got a header on target. Several blocked shots later Fleetwood broke and had a chance but Reece-Cook came out and dived at the feet of a player, he went down but thankfully Mr Davies awarded a corner and not a penalty. Half time no goals.

City kept up the pressure with a rasping shot from Cole that was blocked before Maddison just failed to get enough curl on the ball to tuck it home. Fleetwood launched an attack and Reece-Cook had to be alert to push away a low cross. Then in the 55th minute Murphy lost the ball and Fleetwood swept forward, they put in a great cross and Burns threw himself at the ball to head home to stun the home fans. This was not supposed to happen. Fleetwood now grew in confidence but it wasn’t long before the subs were ready and T.M threw three on. Off went Cole who wasn’t too effective and on came Fortune but the P.A claimed it was Lameiras, next off was Maddison who looked poor and he was replaced by Lameiras or Fortune according to the P.A and finally off to cheering went Murphy a very harsh treatment for the player and on came Tudgay. Fleetwood had a great chance to wrap it up as sub and son of Andy Cole went clean through but fired at Reece-Cook. Lameiras and Tudgay had made the difference as the Portuguese player was running at his opponents and Tudgay was winning the ball in the air and finally City had a break through as Fleetwood went to sleep at the back and allowed Armstrong to reach the ball wide left on the goal line, the top scorer played the ball back to Tudgay who only had the keeper to beat which he did to level the game up. Now I like Tudgay a player that should have played far more games than he has done but that goal put him 3rd highest in our league scoring charts or joint highest if you ignore the loans. City now looked to win the game as yet another shot was blocked before Fleck found himself in the book for the only bad foul of the game. Cargill headed one just over as City kept up the pressure but Fleetwood were always dangerous on the counter attack and the ball fell to Ryan who only had Reece-Cook to beat and it looked to everyone a goal but the keeper pulled off a brilliant reaction save to keep him out unfortunately the ball fell to Ball who smacked it back past the keeper from distance to give them the lead back. Fleetwood now wasted as much time as possible as this was a big three points for then Reece-Cook made another good save just before the five minutes of injury time. In the end a very disappointing performance and result as the team left Pressley and Neil McFarlane were given a standing ovation from the City fans as they applauded us.

Man of the Match.
1st Jack Stephens: Solid at the back.
2nd Charles Reece-Cook: Some good saves.
3rd: Marcus Tudgay: Should play more.

Coventry City Vs Bury Town


It was a day after the Jimmy Hill celebration at the Cathedral and a massive picture of J.H was stationed in the North Stand. It was also Legends’ Day and whoever planned it for the Bury game must have a great sense of irony as Bury have six former City players on the books. Four started the game, Chris Hussey, Nathan Cameron who was captain and still lives locally, Reese Brown and the arch villain Leon Clarke. For the current City side saw Reece-Cook in goal with Ricketts, Stephens, Cargill and Stokes at the back, in midfield we had Fleck, Vincelot, Murphy, Maddison and Cole with Armstrong up front. The last and only time Maddison and Cole started together we won 5-0 at Crewe our last win.

City started well attacked the end with Hill’s picture and Armstrong got in a shot that Bury’s keeper Lawlor. Cole took the corner kick and he picked out Stokes who swept the ball home to give us a perfect start. This meant that Stokes was now the highest scorer for the club in the last 8 games. Bury tried to hit back with Clarke being a major target up front but Stephens and Cargill were keeping a close eye on him as a shot was blocked. Maddison was brought down as City were well on top. Stokes blasted high before another challenge saw City fans demanding a yellow card from a referee who had a good game apart from his reluctants to book anyone. City had a free kick not far from the box, Cole took it and picked out Cargill and the defender made it two. Two set pieces, two goals, Cole on fire. City kept pressing and Maddison was brought down, still on cards but Fleck took a quick kick to Maddison, the midfielder found room, jinxed one way and another before shooting from the edge of the area and making it three. We couldn’t believe it City were taking Bury apart a side that looked good when they beat us at their ground. Leon Clarke was looking perturbed and we sang “it could have been you” to Clarke. Bury just couldn’t handle us as our midfield dominated with Fleck and Vincelot controlling things from the back and Maddison and Cole pulling the strings up the field. Maddison was dragged down by Brown but still no bookings. Armstrong was worrying the defence with his pace as City looked to booster their goal difference. Bury was forced into a change as Etuhu was replaced by Lowe something the people running the scoreboard and the P.A system totally missed. Despite a three nil lead City players were still working hard all over the pitch and in defence a good block prevented a shot on target. Soars yet again brought down Maddison and after prompting by the City players Bury finally had a player booked. Bury finally got a shot on target but was saved by Reece-Cook. At the other end Fleck had a shot blocked, then Murphy went close and it was only going one way. The main big threat was still Clarke and he had a great chance as he got the ball in the box and with his back to goal he made room and we knew what was to happen he turned quickly and fired but instead of finding the back he found Reece-Cook’s shoulder who had closed him down and stayed big a good save. Bury were playing a bit better but it was damage limitation meanwhile Reece Brown became the second player to go in the book after fouling Armstrong. In the last five minutes City attacked again and the ball fell to Fleck outside the area the crowd encouraged him to shoot and he did sending the ball past the keeper to make it four! Again Leon Clarke was widely abused by the home fans, I wonder if he regretted ever leaving us? Half time four nil up we were flying.

During the break we had a parade of former players and topping them was Brain Kilcline looking more like a wizard from Hogwarts than a former player, the cup winning captain had a F.A replica and he was enjoining himself.

The second half couldn’t be as good as Bury rang the changes off went Brown and Hussey and on came another two former City players Danny Pugh and Peter Clarke. City were now sitting back and allowing Bury more room and then hitting them on the break. City were still defending well working hard to block any shoots before Clarke put on wide to the delight of the home fans. City were coasting as Armstrong had a shot blocked. Minutes later Cole, still showing a master class in the art of the midfeidler, advanced and picked out Armstrong, the forward raced in the box before placing the ball past the keeper for the Old Five. Minutes later it was the turn of Fleck to set up Armstrong as the forward raced into the area again before shooting back across the keeper for six of the best. T.M decided to make the first chance as off went Murphy to be replaced by Lameiras and then Rose replaced Maddison. At the other end Clarke planted a header straight at Reece-Cook as he looked for a consolation goal. City were still looking for a 7th when a through ball almost found Cole on a run. In the 87th minute the ground broke out into applause for Jimmy Hill as his picture was shown on the scoreboard along with “Jimmy Hill’s Sky Blue Army”. The game ended with City’s biggest home league win since 1963 when you know who was in charge.

Man of the match
1st Joe Cole: Midfield master class.
2nd Jack Stephens: Kept Clarke quiet.
3rd John Fleck: Set up the other two goals.

Port Vale Vs Coventry City

So a change of fixture meant a drive up the M6 on a Sunday, I took up driving duties up the motorway with memories of the last time I drove there and my car overheating and nearly failing to get there this time no problems. We arrived in plenty of time for me to have a local delicacy an oak cake. We had a draft of new players coming in it was like the start of the season trying to get used the new players. The line up was in goal Reece-Cook, at the back we had Lorentzson playing his second game, Bailey Cargill making his debut, Ricketts and Stokes, just in front of the back four were Jack Stephens, making his debut the rest of the midfield was Rose playing his second game, Fleck, Murphy with Maddison and Armstrong playing more forward roles.

City attacked the far end in the first half. Vale who only had one home defeat in the league all season started off the better and pushed forward as City sere sitting back and defending. Vale were looking good but any high ball in the box was dealt with by Cargill who was looking very good. City were playing like teams play at the Ricoh as we were pressed back and struggled to get out of our own half. Still City were solid with the defence looking a lot better and Lorentzson looking good. Maddison was then floored leaving the referee hand out a lecture. City finally started to get going and got up front winning a free kick. Murphy took it and Cargill headed over. It was still mostly Vale and nearly took the lead when a ball in the box saw Ricketts block but the ball fell to Leitch-Smith he shot but Reece-Cook stood up and made a good block with his legs. The Valiants were still buzzing when Robinson got in a powerful header what the keeper held. We had a break in play when Lorentzson went down and looked groggy but to our surprise after treatment he was back on the field. City were still holding on as a ball sent Leitch-Smith through but Reece-Cook came out quickly to block before the keeper grabbed the follow up shot. Lorentzson then went down again and this time he couldn’t continue but there were gasps when Ramage was lined up to replace him. Finally City got a move going as Maddison played in Armstrong who ran through but only could shot at the keeper. Minutes later Ramage started a move and passed to Rose he then picked out Murphy who had a one-two with Armstrong and Jacob went in rounded the keeper and scored. The goal was totally against the run of play but it is nice to happen to us for once. City did some dithering at the back as the keeper played it short when row z should have been the option. Vale had a shot blocked before City had a couple of half chances before halftime.

Radio Stoke were in shock as they couldn’t believe Vale were losing.

Second half City attacked the end with 1,604 away fans. The same pattern started in the second half but with Bailey and the defence on top Reece-Cook looked a lot more confident. Again it was Leitch-Smith looking the real danger as he got a shot in that Reece-Cook did well to turn around the post. Corners were being well dealt with at the back as City had to soak up a bit of pressure. Vale then won a free kick near the box and former City player Carl Dickinson took it, the kick took a massive deflection off the wall and seemed destined for the net but then in midair Reece-Cook changed direction and pushed the ball over the bar for the save of the season, Radio Stoke commentator claimed it was the best save he had ever seen. The corner came in and the other former City player Richard Duffy, headed wide. City players were finally getting used to each other as Maddison played a neat ball into Armstrong whose shot was charged down by the keeper the resulting corner was the worst you would ever likely to see with Maddison finding touch after a short corner. Debutant number three was then introduced as Henderson came on for Murphy. The big forward soon got into the action and seemed to have the ability to win the ball in the air. The big forward was soon booked for not retreating from a free kick and finally Vale players got a City player booked as they had been demanding yellow cards all game. Vale won a series of corners but city were coping. City were getting forward more and Rose forced the keeper into a save from the edge of the area. O’Brien replaced Maddison who received good applause as City looked to see the game out. Then with seven minutes to go sub Kelly got the ball and unleashed a powerful shot right into the top corner of the net, Reece-Cook got something on it but couldn’t keep out a goal of the season contender for the home side. City didn’t crumble at this point but instead went forward and in injury time laid siege to the home goal winning a series of corners Henderson had one cleared off the line and in the last second a Vale player fell down and had both hands on the ball but the referee would have to be in the away stand to spot it and we settled for a point.

So the rot has ended with a point and plenty of positives from the game.

Man of the Match
1st: Charles Reece-Cook: Outstanding no need for an “experienced keeper”
2nd Bailey Cargill: Great debut, the defender we have been missing since Turner’s injury.
3rd: Andy Rose: Worked hard in midfield might be a bit of a find.

Coventry City Vs Scunthorpe United

So Scunthorpe were in town a chance to get back to winning ways. The line up was in goal Reece-Cook, with Stokes, Ricketts, Ramage and making his long awaited debut Martin Lorentzson. In midfield we had Vincelot, Bigirimana, Murphy, Hunt and Maddison with Armstrong up front.

City attacked the South Stand end of the ground in the first half and it wasn’t long before Maddison was brought down with in shooting distance of the goal but to our amazement it was Bigirimana that took the free kick and it was not surprise when he ballooned it well over. Three minutes later Maddison was brought down again with some fans wanting a yellow card shown. At the other end Scunthorpe won a corner and went close when an on target shot was blocked before they put a header wide. At the away end City attacked again and wide on the left of the box Murphy got past a player and seemed to be brought down by referee Mr Linigton said no penalty. Scunthorpe attacked from the let off and a push in the back lead to a corner for them. The set piece came over and was headed on leaving Hooper all alone to lash the ball past Reece-Cook to give the away side the lead. City hit back and some nifty footwork by Maddison created space and his effort was saved by the keeper. United were then pulled up for handball but cries for a yellow card were ignored. Vincelot was then fouled and by now the non action of the referee was staring to draw the anger of the crowd. Armstrong, who made need some help up front, did manage to force the keeper into a good save. Most of City’s attacks were coming down the left with Stokes doing more attacking than I have seen so far the new fullback Lorentzson looked good on the ball but was not getting the same service. City looked nervous at the back and Ramage has not settled in at all well and it was his mistake that nearly let one of our worst loan players in recent time, Luke Williams into to score. Murphy then had one saved before Maddison created space and just shot over. Stokes then headed just wide from a corner. City still looked weak at the back as Hooper had a shot blocked and Madden went just wide. We then had a break in play was the linesman pick up an injury we had to wait whilst the 4th official limbered up to sarcastic cheers before taking up his duties. When the game restarted Murphy was brought down when about to have a free run down the wing and again the referee drew the anger of the crowd by not even speaking to the player. Scunthorpe were now wasting as much time as possible and the awful referee was letting them get away with it. Maddison was brought down for the third time, again no yellow card before Williams upended Murphy and got away with a warning. Vincelot became another player to be kicked as half time was approaching then deep in injury time Hunt gave the ball away with a poor pass to Williams his shot hit the bar and City survived.

Not a great 1st half performance and TM sprang the changes off, at last went Bigirimana a vastly over rated player that many would be happy to see return back to Newcastle, also off went Hunt whose career at City might be a short one, on came O’Brien a player that should be starting every game and a debut for Andy Rose. City switched to 4-4-2 and looked better for it as Armstrong forced the keeper into a good save. From the corner Lorentzson headed just over. The crowd were now getting behind City again as Vincelot was sent crashing for the third time but again no card minutes later Maddison was hacked down for the fourth time as the referee allowed any protection to our players. Maddison got a shot in as City were looking better Rose and especially O’Brien had helped to liven up City’s midfield. Murphy then had a shot that was spilled by the keeper but no one was there to profit. Yet again Maddison was hacked down and yet again no cards by an official that had lost control of the game. Williams then brought Vincelot down the referee gave him his second final warning. Scunthorpe now relaying on counter-attacks and kicking any City player with in reach won a corner. I thought “now see if we can defend this one” the ball came over and Wallace got it to head it home to make it two. Then City fans applauded as McSheffrey came on for United. Madden then had a shot saved as City looked all at sea, at the back. Vincelot then fouled Williams and it was a yellow card offence but it drew anger from the City fans as they had been tripping our players all game with any cards. Vincelot was not happy with the booking. Murphy had a shot saved before Phillips replaced Lorentzson. Vincelot went close with a header as City tried to get back into the game. Maddison had a shot blocked before Phillips got one in on target. With five minutes to go Maddison got into the box and for the sixth time was brought down, penalty but amazingly still no yellow card. Armstrong took the kick and coolly beat the keeper to give City a life line. Minutes later Vincelot flew into a tackle but it was a foul and the ref couldn’t wait to send him off. United were still allowed to waste time as Jordan Clarke came on. There was just time for Scunthorpe to kick Maddison for the seventh time without a booking. Deep in injury time McSheffrey fouled Rose and to a massive cheer the ref finally showed a yellow card to a Scunthorpe player no doubt he was confused about Sheff coming from Coventry. So the Irons did the double over us and teams have found out how to beat us we have to adapt quickly otherwise even a top six finish could elude us.

Man of the match
1st Chris Stokes: Attacked well
2nd James Maddison: Kicked all over the place but still looked dangerous.
3rd Romain Vincelot Worked his socks off but frustration got the better of him.

Southend United Vs Coventry City


It was our first trip to Roots Hall for nine years and the ground is still an old traditional stadium as we were housed in one of the ends under a barrel roof. With both Armstrong and Murphy missing TM sent out a side that might be similar to the one we might have next season if we don’t win promotion. The line up was in goal Reece-Cook, with Haynes, Stokes, Ramage and Ricketts at the back, O’Brien, Cole, Vincelot, Bigirimana and making his debut Stephen Hunt, up front we had Tudgay.

City attacked the far end in the first half with Hunt getting into the action early on forcing a corner. Stephen Hendrie had the first shot in the game but it was missed cued and went wide. City were doing most of the pressing whilst The Shrimpers were relaying on quick counter attacks, one of these saw the dangers Jack Payne get a shot in on target. City continued to press and O’Brien came close with a long range effort that Bentley in the home goal pushed over. Hunt took the corner and it was a good one right onto the head of the Vincelot but he nodded it wide. The Blues were a physical side that liked to hoof the ball a typical Phil Brown side, one play that was causing the anger of the City fans was a certain Gary Deegan, who was now sporting a beard many a down and out would be ashamed off. City looked in control but then, not for the first time dithering at the back cost us, this time it was Ricketts who failed to clear and the ball fell to Payne who beat Reece-Cook to give the home side the lead. City kept pressing with Cole trying his best to find a way through the defence. Then in the 30th minutes from our free kick United broke and raced down the field, Barnett race through drew Reece-Cook out and slip the ball under him to make it 2-0 much to the shock of the large number of travelling fans. Payne had a shot deflected wide as the City defence was struggling. Another player that was struggling was Bigirimana who is no where near the player that Fleck is. With the old boys Hunt and Cole attempting to get things moving in midfield the ball fell to O’Brien whose long range shot was turned around the post. Ricketts then fired from distance as City never seemed to have anyone in the box or the crosses were of not a good enough quality. Finally after several fouls the good referee Mr Malone booked Deegan for persistent fouling but Barnett was lucky not to be booked seconds later. Deegan came close with a shot in the dieing seconds before the whistle went leaving City with an uphill task.

Changes were made before the second half but it was a surprise off went Tudgay, who didn’t have a bad game and on came Maddison as City switched to a 4-6-0 formation, it later transpired that Tudgay had picked up an injury. City started well in the second half forcing a series of corners piling the pressure on the home side. Then in midfield Deegan hacked down Maddison it looked like a clear yellow card offence and the referee agree and to the great delight of the away fans a red card was shown to the so called pit-bull and Deegan went off no doubt to sleep it off on a park bench somewhere. City continued to press but Southend were defending well and in numbers. Cole got an effort on target as the pressure continued. TM then made his second change taking off Haynes switching to three at the back and bringing on Lameiras. Cole then showed some neat skill leaving a player on the floor he just shot wide. The third and final change was made as Vincelot was replaced by Fortune. Hunt had a shot saved before Maddison curled one inches wide. City still coming forward looking for a goal when O’Brien went wide. At the other end United were getting more of the ball and it took a brilliant save by Reece-Cook to stop making it three but minutes later Atkinson had room and raced into the box he tried to get around Reece-Cook but was brought down, penalty, the Southend players surrounded the ref demanding a red card but thankfully he didn’t flash one it left Reece-Cook to face yet another penalty and as with the previous 12 never got anywhere near as the ten men made it 3-0. City still pressed and Bigirimana fired wide as he can’t shoot straight anyway. Southend made another sub as on came Stephen’s brother Noel. Madison and Cole were still the major dangers but shooting was off as Cole put one too high. City won several corners but refused to take them directly but one that was found Fortune but he planted a disappointing header wide. At the other end Reece-Cook saved one as the game ticked on. Cole and Maddison both went close and in the dieing seconds Cole was played through and had a great chance but not for the first time a defender got across to block. So we left with the biggest defeat of the season as the bad run continues.

Man of the Match
1st Joe Cole: Worked hard in midfield to create something.
2nd James Maddison: Looked a handful
3rd Stephen Hunt: Good debut

Coventry City Vs Burton Albion


So the big game had arrived when we took on the league leaders in front of the biggest crowd of the season. Peter Ramage made his debut in the back four with him were Stokes, Ricketts and Phillips, in goal we had Reece-Cook with Murphy, Maddison, Vincelot, Fleck and Lameiras in midfield and Armstrong up front. It was a cold day as the game got under way with City attacking the North Stand in the first half.

City started the better when Vincelot and Maddison combined to give Fleck a long range shot on target. City were looking solid at the back and so were Burton with their keeper McLaughlin catching everything it was easy to see why Burton do not concede many. City were still knocking the ball around well trying to find a way through the away defence who already were wasting time. Murphy that had a shot on target before a great move saw Armstrong beat some players in a dribble and was hacked down the referee Mr A Marrier, who had a good game allowed the advantage as the ball fell to Maddison he was upended on the edge of the area and City won a free kick. Maddison took the set piece but McLaughlin was equal to it and made the save. Burton were happy to sit back and hit City on the break and it took a block by Phillips to prevent an attack. Not for the first time nearly all the opposition’s attacks came down the right as that seemed to be the weak link in our defence. It was still mostly City when Maddison found room and fired in a shot that the keeper did well to save. Not long after at the other end Burton won a corner it was played to Naylor on the edge of the box totally unmarked he fired in a shot but Reece-Cook was on hand to pull off a good save. City kept up the pressure as Armstrong fired in one on target but straight at the keeper before Murphy fired one wide from distance before the half ended all square.

The second half got under way and wasn’t very old when a ball was played into the City’s box and Phillips had a chance to clear but instead he attempted to chest it back to the keeper, Butcher nipped in to put the leaders in front. Only one team this season have come from behind to beat Burton and that was us, so we faced an uphill task. City were shaken by the goal as Fleck went into a challenge and could have no arguments with the yellow card which meant he will miss the next two games. Burton were looking comfortable when Bevon rattled the crossbar. Mowbray then decided to ring the changes off went Lameiras and Phillips on came Bigirimana and Tudgay. City switched to 4-4-2 with Vincelot dropping back into defence. The changes seem to help but there was a lack of service to the front two as Tudgay was seeing nothing of the ball. Maddison fired a shot not too far wide as City tried to get back into the game. Murphy then had another tame effort on goal as Albion were still keeping things tight. Vincelot then put a header wide but then it was City’s Achilles ’ heel as the defence over elaborated at the back and Burton got the ball to Bevon who finished well to make it 2-0. Cole was then sent on but Maddison was taken off. Cole got right into the action and supplied a great cross that Tudgay finally got a touch as he headed wide. Tudgay was now getting more of the ball and was winning every header; he is a player that should play a lot more than he does. Burton were still in control and could have made it three as Mason Bennett was to burst into the box on the wing before Vincelot brought him down in a great rugby tackle and earned a booking. In the end it was two defensive mistakes that cost a couple of points and will make it very difficult for City to win the league as we need to start winning regularly again.

Man of the Match
1st James Maddison: Had the most efforts
2nd Romain Vincelot: Look good at the back, maybe an option.
3rd Marcus Tudgay: Should play more.

Coventry City Vs Walsall

So the first of two big home games as City took on third placed Walsall in front of a 15,000+ crowd. The line up for the first home game of 2016 was in goal Reece-Cook, with Phillips, Stokes, Ricketts and Haynes at the back, in midfield we had O’Brien, Cole, Vincelot, Fleck and Murphy with Armstrong up front. Before the game many City fans had to bite their lips as we had a minute’s silence for former chairman Mike McGinity, if you were to believe the spin a man that saved the club but if you were there you would say something different.

City started well with Fleck having a shot blocked before Cole delivered a great corner that the Saddlers managed to clear. City were looking the better team and putting some good passes together on a surface that had just started to show some signs of ware. City kept up the pressure with another precision corner from Cole before Armstrong had a chance as he dribbled into the box but was crowded out by defenders. City had another corner again it was a good delivery but the ball was cleared to O’Brien whose shot was so wide it found Phillips on the wing. City kept up the good work when Vincelot and Chambers came together on the edge of the box the referee, Mr Harrington saw nothing untoward but the City fans were fuming since Chambers had already committed three fouls and the defensive midfielder was booed for the rest of the game. City then put a passing move together as Armstrong, O’Brien combined to put Cole through but he just missed out on getting a touch. Minutes later Cole left fly and was well wide. Walsall were offering next to nothing going forward as City had control over midfield then in the 34th minute Murphy was brought down and earned a free kick, Cole took it out wide and found Armstrong, his header was met by Stokes and he sent it passed the keeper to record his second goal for the club and to get City a deserved lead. This woke Walsall up a little bit and minutes later their star player Bradshaw hit the post from outside the box. City soon regained control and again it was Cole causing the trouble with a great free kick picking out Armstrong who fired wide. Minutes later a passing move that is worthy of a far higher division, as Cole held onto the ball before freeing Armstrong, his instant pass found O’Brien who just couldn’t get it under control enough for a shot.
Half ends with City provisionally in 2nd place.

Second half saw Walsall attack the North Stand which more of it is now open for home fans. Sawyers had the first shot of the half and the midfielder started impress as Cole’s lack of fitness caught up with him. City were still looking more dangerous as Armstrong forced the keeper to turn a shot around the post. It was still poring down on a not very good night as O’Brien toe poked one wide after the keeper kept out a Murphy shot but it was now mostly Walsall. City fans then cheered as Chambers finally went into the book in a fairly contested game run well by the man in the middle. City were now sitting too deep but defending well. Mowbray then made the first change off went Cole after his best game so far and on came Maddison. The midfielder got straight into the action by drawing a foul from Chambers, Maddison took the free kick sailed it over the wall and forced Etherington to push it away, Phillips could force home the rebound. City were looking better as Armstrong slalomed his way through the defence only to be deigned by another good save. Despite the chances for City Walsall were still looking dangerous. With nine minutes to go Walsall came forward again and a ball found Henry in acres of space down the right his delivery was spot on and Bradshaw was on hand to level a goal they did deserve. Fortune replaced O’Brien but the big man was wasted on the wing. The game was now in the balance as both teams went for the winner; Armstrong swivelled quickly outside the box just sending one wide. It could still have gone either way as late in the game the ball was played into City’s box and Bradshaw tried a back heal but thankfully he couldn’t get any direction on it and we had to settle for a point.

Man of the Match
1st Joe Cole: Best game so far
2nd Chris Stokes: Looks better as a centre back
3rd Adam Armstrong: No goals but a threat.

Crewe Alexandra Vs Coventry City


This was my 9th visit to Gresty Road and as normal there was a good turn out of City fans. It was a wet day as tickets on sale on the day sold out quickly leaving some City fans without a ticket. The big debate was could Cole and Maddison play in the same team and we soon found out when the first team of 2016 was announced. In goal we had Reece-Cook, with Phillips, Ricketts, Stokes and Haynes at the back in midfield we had Fleck, Vincelot, Murphy, Cole and Maddison with Armstrong up front it looked a very attack minded team. Crewe have been struggling of late but we have performed badly here before. The good news at the start of the year was Armstrong was to stay, was the question mark over his future affecting his performances? Kent however had been recalled by Liverpool to play in their 1st team.

City started off like a dream inside the first minute Maddison found room and slid in Cole who had a free shoot inside the area but his shot was poor and went over. We were encouraged with the ease we opened up Crewe. City won an early corner then Armstrong went down in the area for a penalty shout. City were looking very good going forward and Crewe were looking poor. City kept pressing as Armstrong got one on target. City kept control of midfield when Murphy picked out Armstrong, who ran beyond the defence and finished well to give the travelling fans something to celebrate. A great start and City looked full of goals, we were in total control of midfield with Vincelot and Fleck holding midfield Maddison using the ball well, Cole improving all the time and Murphy having the beating of the number 3 Guthrie. Being close too the pitch on the side means the away fans are close to the action and one amusing moment was when one City fans shouted to Murphy, “Murphy that no 3 is sh**”, Jacob heard and turn his head and had a massive grin. Armstrong looked like his old self again as he forced the keeper into another save. City were still picking holes in the Alex defence as City were proving too good and Maddison showed some great skill to avoid three players surrounding him and coming away with the ball. Fleck then had a good shot that the keeper struggled with. Crewe did finally force Reece-Cook into a save but nothing too difficult. At the other end City were still pressing when Armstrong found Murphy, he cut alongside the area then unleashed a great shot that curled into top corner a great goal. City were swarming all over Crewe and Ricketts advanced forward and picked out Vincelot he entered the area and was brought down and for once we were awarded a penalty when Mr Haywood pointed to the spot. There was debate on the field who to take it, Armstrong overruled Murphy and Maddison. Armstrong stepped up and despite the keeper going the right way he scored. We were in dreamland 3-0 up and coasting my silly 4-1 win prediction was now looking modest. Crewe started to get more into the game but were already beaten but a goal could of given them hope and they nearly got one but Reece-Cook was quick and dived in with his foot with a good tackle. City were putting some good passing to together to the delight of the away fans. Murphy went close at the other end as the away fans were in fine voice, not surprisingly really. Not a single player was playing badly as the end of the half was coming. Then Haynes cleared the ball down the wing and Armstrong hared off after it but their big defender Ajayi looked in control but Armstrong chased him and robbed him suddenly he only had the keeper to beat and he did to chalk up his hat trick to mirror Lee Hughes’ one here 14 years ago. Half time City 4-0 up what a first half.

We hoped for more goals in the second half but that could always be difficult as Crewe looked to keep some pride. City should have made it five early on when Murphy raided down the wing and picked out Armstrong who only had the keeper to beat from close in but miscued it badly and sent it wide, thankfully we could see the funny side of it. Crewe were coming forward more and had a shot go wide before Maddison put on over. City midfielders were showing the skills and knocking the ball around well. The first change for City was then on when Fleck was taken off for Bigirimana as apparently Fleck was one booking away from suspension. City were not quite up to the standards of the first half, not surprisingly and Crewe nearly got a goal with confusion in the area but Reece-Cook came out and blocked well. With twenty minutes to go Kent came on for what looks like his last ever game for City off went Cole after his best game for the club so far. City were defending well, as well and Phillips threw himself into his trade mark sliding tackles three times in a space of a couple of minutes to break up attacks. Reece-Cook had to be alert and pulled off a great reaction save to his left. City then indulged in a long period of passing with each one being cheered ending in winning a corner. Final sub saw Cole go off to rest his weary legs and was replaced by O’Brien. To their credit Crewe kept pressing and a long range shot by Inman wasn’t far wide. Not long left when O’Brien played in Murphy and the player slotted the ball home for the Old Five. There was just time for Crewe to hit the post before the whistle went. City ended the game with five players that came through our youth set up as two loan players made the headlines.

Man of the Match
In the car back all players received high marks and I could pick any three but these are the ones picked in the car.

1st Jacob Murphy: Dangerous throughout could have easily had a hat trick himself
2nd Adam Armstrong: Back on form and scoring away from home
3rd Romain Vincelot: Battled as ever in midfield a great signing

Chesterfield Vs Coventry City

They say never change a wining side well Tony Mowbray doesn’t believe in such things made six changes and a few surprises. In gaol we had Reece-Cook with the back four made up of fullbacks in Haynes, Stokes, Ricketts and Phillips; in midfield we had O’Brien, Fleck, Vincelot, Kent and Maddison with Fortune a surprise in replacing Armstrong upfront for the last game in the year.

City attacked the far end in the first half against a team that had lost seven on the spin but had a new manager Danny Wilson in charge. City were the first to show when Fortune flick on to Maddison who drove wide. O’Brien was next to have a shot as City were the better side early on. There was a break of play when Coventry born Evatt went down injured eventually he had to go off. There was good support from the City fans who travelled in numbers. City were still probing and Ricketts wasn’t too far off with a header from a Kent cross. Chesterfield have a poor goal scoring record and had only one shot on target in the last three games and Morsey didn’t add to that firing wide. The home side were getting more into it when a great cross was heading towards their play Stokes got in to clear. Chesterfield pushed forward again when Stokes handled the ball and conceded a free kick, O’Shea took it and floated it in and Novak flicked it home to give the home side the lead. City pushed back and Fortune couldn’t get enough on a shot to worry Lee in the goal. Deep in injury time Fleck had a shot that Lee did well to push over.

Half time everyone seemed to want Armstrong to replace Fortune at half time.

Second half the City players were attacking towards the away end.

The second half the name of Armstrong was sung as City looked better. The first attack Maddison was brought down outside the are and referee Mr Tierney awarded a free kick, meanwhile off the ball Morsey confronted Maddison on a possible dive Maddison stood toe-to-toe with him with no pushing, then Stokes ran thirty yards and pushed a player, the referee missed all of this and stopped the game he called over the linesman and we were worried, would he send off Stokes for nothing? He called over Morsey, who did nothing to get a yellow card and the Maddison who did ever less. Maddison took the kick and he just failed to beat the wall. City were playing far better and Haynes was having a good game down the left. Maddison had another shot and City kept up the pressure before Fleck trying not too successfully from distance again. Finally City made the substitutions as Armstrong and Murphy came on for Fortune and Kent. The top scorer made an immediate impact with a great run and shot that just missed the right hand post. Armstrong then had a volley blocked as he tried to end his goal draught. Chesterfield then should have wrapped the game up on the 72nd minute Fleck lost the ball in the box Chesterfield squared the ball to Dieseruvwe who could only hit the crossbar. Stokes header over from a corner after a brave block by defender Herd who needed treatment for a head injury as Chesterfield were winding the clock down. Mowbray went for broke by taking off Phillips, switching to three at the back and throwing on Tudgay. Seconds later the referee was on to Mowbray and sent him to the stands. The linesman on the left side wasn’t the best and kept flagging for off side the worse of these flagging when Tudgay ran from deep and the flag went up for Maddison. Fleck then picked up a deserved yellow for a foul as time was running out. City kept pressing as Armstrong sent a great ball that Tudgay just failed to reach in the area. City kept plugging away and Hird brought down Maddison no booking but a free kick. Maddison lined it up and sent it over the wall and passed the keeper rooted to the spot to spark off mad celebrations in the stands. Unfortunately some fans thought a late leveller away to Chesterfield was worth entering the pitch one fan approached Lee in goal by the Chesterfield custodian show great skill in judo throw him to the ground before stewards took him away for hopefully a lengthily ban. “He’s one of own” we sang to Maddison” Injury time then came and the third official put up six minutes when it should have been ten. City kept pressing and Armstrong had a shot before the referee blew up too early in my opinion.

Man of the Match
1st James Maddison: Great free kick
2nd Ryan Haynes: Staked a claim for the 1st team
3rd Sam Ricketts: Solid at the back.

Coventry City Vs Port Vale

Boxing Day is a traditional day for a big crowd and it was no different at the Ricoh as 17,779 turned up making it the biggest home gate of the season. The line for the last home game of 2015 was in goal Reece-Cook, with Phillips, Ricketts, Martin and Stokes at the back. We had Lameiras, Vincelot, Bigirimana, Cole and Murphy in midfield with Armstrong up front. Before the game we had a minutes silence for former manager Don Howe but some fans made it a minute’s applause that didn’t spread too well with fans having strange mix of applause and silence.

Normally teams come here and park the bus but Vale surprised us all by trying to go forward and that and closing down meant that City were on the back foot early on as Vale pushed forward. Then after seven minutes of pressure from the away side they should have taken the lead as Leitch-Smith was given room in the area and his shot beat Reece-Cook but hit the post and was cleared. It was still mostly Vale as City couldn’t get their passing game going and the home fans were becoming restless. City finally broke out of the half and won a corner off Richard Duffy who had a record four loan spells at City. Vale kept up the pressure but their shooting was off but they were on top. Many were now getting annoyed that City couldn’t string any passing together but slowly City came to terms with an away side looking to score early on. Joe Cole is in the team because of his name and has yet to justify his place in the side but it was his prompting that got City further up the field and one good run almost resulted in a chance. City were slowly making it an even contest as a good ball found Murphy his instant shot was not too far wide of the post. Half time no goals and City not performing too well.

Second half saw an immediate improvement as Lameiras curled one wide. The whole game now had changed as City were pushing forward and Vale seemed now to be playing deeper and started to waste time. Cole had a shot blocked as City upped the tempo. Three minutes before the hour mark Murphy got the ball knocked it passed the full back and had a race to the box with him not surprisingly Jacob won the race and entered the penalty area and seemed to have his heels clipped but no penalty said the ref. Armstrong had a shot blocked as City pushed forward. Another attack saw Armstrong in the area before a defender grabbed his shirt sleeve and dragged him down we looked at the referee Mr Lewis, again no penalty, leaving me to conclude since we don’t score from them the League has banned us from receiving spot kicks. Vale were happy to sit back and attack on the counter their main ploy was a long ball down our right to their big winger, who only had to beat Phillips in the air but despite the size difference the fullback was coping well. City kept pushing and Murphy went on another big run but he over played the ball and dived in to win it back committing a foul Mr Lewis decided it was only a yellow card when some might have gone for a red. At the other end a loose ball saw Vale come forward only for Bigirimana to fly into a tackle and gave Vale a very strong appeal for a penalty but thankfully the referee was showing consistency in not spotting penalties and turned them down. City fans were waiting for a change since the start of the 2nd half and finally it came off went Cole after his best performance so far but still miles below a player that played 50+ times for England, on came O’Brien to give the side energy and off went Lameiras and on came Maddison. Murphy then had a shot go wide before Mr Lewis, after amble warning finally booked a player for time wasting. A minute or so later Maddison got the ball near the edge of the area found room and unleashed a shot that sailed past the keeper to get everyone on their feet. Maddison raced over to celebrate with the phyios whilst Vale fans attempted to make their way in to the main stand. Vale now came forward again as one of their players went down in the box this time no question of a penalty but blatant dive that should have received a booking. Kent came on for Murphy as City were being pushed back again. Armstrong had a shot blocked as everyone was getting nervous as the clock counted down. Former City defender Robert Page, now the Vale boss threw on a big forward to see if he could help to grab a goal but Martin was playing well at the back and didn’t give him much of a chance. Into injury time as we counted down the second when Vincelot was booked for a waste high challenge, thankfully he didn’t go in with his boots otherwise it would have been red. Vale won a late corner leaving another former City player Carl Dickenson claiming a penalty after he climbed on the back of Phillips and flattened him. A minute or so left and Kent finally got the ball on a counter attack he raced intro the area and beat the keeper but a defender got across and cleared for a corner. City played out time in that corner before the whistle went to signal an unbeaten home run in the league in the first half of the season.

Man of the match
1st Aaron Phillips: Didn’t foul anyone and was on as easy to beat in the air as Vale thought.
2nd Aaron Martin: Solid
3rd Romain Vincelot: Worked hard in midfield.

Coventry City Vs Rochdale

A couple of hours before kick off news broke about the loss of Jimmy Hill and arriving at the ground the place was quite sombre as tributes were left around his statue. Inside the ground that was the only topic on everyone’s lips about the man who had a massive effect on City and football world wide. The line up was in goal Reece-Cook, with a player who’s father was signed by a Jimmy Hill signing in Phillips, other defenders were Martin, Turner and Stokes, in midfield we had Kent, Vincelot, Bigirimana, Cole, O’Brien and Armstrong up front. Before kick off we had a minute’s applause for JH.

Jimmy Hill’s Sky Blue Army rang out as the game got underway and City almost got off to the perfect start when Kent played in Armstrong who forced a save from Oldham’s keeper Cornell. Oldham like many teams now like to “park the bus” against City something we need to deal with if we are to win promotion this season. City were on top backed by a 15,000+ crowd taking advantage of the £10 entrance fee. Kent had a shot blocked as the pressure kept on. City looking good in midfield and controlling the game but then a long ball by Oldham was dealt with by Turner but he fell awkwardly and immediately signalled to the bench, it was serious, he was helped off the field and on came Haynes and Stokes switched to central defence. Now City were down three first choice centre backs, four if you include Willis and Rochdale took advantage and pressed forward. Soon City got used to the new defence and Kent had a shot saved. Kent then fired wide after a good run. In midfield City were working hard with Vincelot putting in a shift, O’Brien as busy as ever and Bigirimana using the ball well in the absences of Fleck. Cornell then had to save again as O’Brien got a shot on target. City won a couple of corners but it ended level against a side one from bottom of League One.

City won a corner early on and it was expertly delivered by Cole straight to Vincelot but his header was blocked and went out for another corner. Again Cole placed his flag kick to perfection and Martin was on the end to head in his first City goal in his 59 games. It was the breakthrough we needed. Now Rochdale abandoned their defensive policy and started to get forward and to be fair didn’t look too bad it was easy to see why their away form is a lot better than a team in the drop zone. Reece-Cook made his first save of the day as Dale pushed forward. With City seemingly losing their way T.M made the first change off went Cole, who, apart form his corner kicks again offered nothing to the game and on came Fortune but unfortunately again the big forward was placed out wide as an outlet for goal kicks and again was a total waste of time. City pushed forward again and Kent entered the area and tried to find room for a shot when seemingly brought down but no penalty. City were finding it harder to retain possession as Rochdale harried. The final City sub then was made as Kent went off and on came Maddison for a long awaited return. Fortune went up front and looked far better. Dale attacked again but the ball was saved by Reece-Cook but the crowd were angered when the ref gave a corner but I was sure the ball went out of play before the shot so it was the correct decision. Maddison finally started to get into the game and won some free kicks after being fouled. More Jimmy Hill Sky Blue Army songs rang down from the stands as we had ten minutes to go. Not long after fans turned on their lights on their smart phones making the Ricoh seem very festive and on the 87th minute to represent JH’s age the fans stood in another minute’s applause. Deep into injury time Rochdale launched an attack a great ball down the right was whipped in and a header seemed to be heading home until Reece-Cook tipped it over the bar, the corner came in and Philliskirk got a header past the keeper to snatch a draw. City attacked the other end with Fortune trying his best to carve out a chance and it came in the last second to Phillips who blasted over.

It was a disappointing draw and the bad run that Mowbray said might come is here with no wins in four games against teams low down we need to find a way of winning soon or we could loose touch with the top two.

Man of the Match
1st Jim O’Brien: Worked tirelessly.
2nd Chris Stokes: Adapted well at the back
3rd Romain Vincelot: Worked hard

Sheffield United Vs Coventry City

So thanks to Sky we had an early start to the trip to Sheffield but thankfully it wasn’t too far. In the ground we had a line up of Reece-Cook, Rickets, Martin, Turner, Stokes, O’Brien, Fleck, Vincelot, Murphy, Lameiras and Armstrong. The teams marched out and strangely City were in the Red and for some reason United were in white. City attacked the away end in the first half but it was clear from the off United were a very dirty side as they started to hack players down and City’s fans frustration the referee Iain Williamson was letting them get away with it. City were the team playing football early on and we could tell why the pre-season favourites were mid table. City were still playing when Hammond put in his second foul and still no card minutes later Hammond fouled again to the frustration of the away fans. City kept playing and the player we all though was a surprise, Lameiras got the ball and cut inside he seemed to be going nowhere but suddenly he played in a slide pass rule to free Armstrong in the box the top scorer shot but the keeper, Long pulled off a good save. City were now on top and buzzing around the box when Lameiras got the ball and McEveley steamed in with his foot off the ground and made contact, Lameiras was flipped 180 degrees and landed on his head the so-called referee issued only a yellow card when it looked like a red to us, minutes later fans started to receive texts from fans watching Sky claiming it was a stick-on red, later I watched some highlights and the Sky annalist said “It is a red card everyday of the week!” City kept playing as United kept getting away with fouls as the ref was letting them getting away with it. Turner then had a shot go wide as United were like the away side. City kept up the pressure when Murphy had a shot blocked. The Blades kept fouling and Hammond made his third bookable tackle of the game and finally picked up his first yellow card. City won a free kick and decided to roll the ball back for a long range shot on goal but it was rolled back to Stokes who blasted well wide. Late on in the half United broke and Turner had to foul and with the United fans screaming for a red thankfully it was only a yellow. Half time 0-0 and the entire ground fuming at the ref but we wondered why United fans were complaining.

I can see some strange sights during games from fans one of the stranger was in the toilets at half time when one fan was swigging from a large bottle of Lambrini before being dragged out by a stewart.

City kept the pressure up in the second half as Hammond put in his 4th foul in the knowledge that the ref would not book him again. Minutes later another United player was booked and City were still looked the better side. Lameiras then, having his best game for quite a while, had two shots blocked. The game continued the same pattern as Hammond made his 5th foul. Lameiras then forced the keeper into a save. City won a couple of corners as the pressure kept on. City made the first sub as O’Brien, who was playing well was replaced by Cole. It was a Blades sub, Billy Sharpe that tested Reece-Cook with a shot. City made the second sub as Kent came on to replace Lameiras. City then had a great chance as Armstrong got out wide and fired a ball across the goal just out of range of a sliding Fleck. City attacked again as Murphy found room and got in a shot which looked to be cleared off the line. Seconds later peoples mobile’s were hot from the viewers that at first there was a clear handball and the ball crossed the line but no goal-line technology in this division, so no goal. At our end Ricketts dragged a man down and picked up a yellow card, no complaints about that but United players had been making similar fouls without a booking. At our end United won a corner Reece-Cook missed it and it hit Sharp on the shoulder and it rolled it, Sheffield fans woke up and made a noise. Fortune replaced Vincelot but the big forward was wasted on the wing. City were tiring and most attacks seemed be coming down Stokes’ win who was having a poor game. In injury time Ricketts challenged for a ball but his boot was high and he fouled the United player again no real complaints with a yellow but it was his second and incredibly it was City that was reduced and United must have thought it was Christmas. The ref and I use that word sparingly decided to blow up two minutes early and then joined in the celebration with the United team, I made that last bit up. So we made our way from Brammel Lane shocked at the worst refereeing performance I can remember.

Man of the match
1st Ruben Lameiras: Kicked for pillow to post but played well
2nd Jim O’Brien: Looked lively should not of gone off.
3rd Ben Turner Solid at the back.

Coventry City Vs Doncaster Rovers

It was a cold and wet day at the Ricoh as a disappointing crowd saw what many consider as City’s strongest line-up barring the injured players. The team was in goal Reece-Cook, with Ricketts, Turner, Martin and Stokes at the back, in midfield we had O’Brien, Vincelot, Fleck, Kent and Murphy playing just behind Armstrong. Doncaster had been in good form winning three out of four and completed the double over us last season.

City started well with a corner and a blocked shot. Soon Doncaster started to go forward; until many teams Rovers didn’t come here to defend but to give it a real go but we wouldn’t expect anything else from a Darren Ferguson team. Nathan Tyson headed one over the bar as the game looked level. Fleck had another shot go wide as his long rangers as normal were none too accurate. Then in another attack a more accurate long rang shot was tipped over the bar by Reece-Cook. Doncaster were playing quite well and they got down the wings with Stokes looking vulnerable as the defenders got in a good few bocks. The first substitute soon came as a Doncaster player went down with an injury and was replaced by McCulloch who immediately picked up a yellow for bringing down Murphy. City seemed to have weathered the storm and started to pass their way forward a bit more after a lot of keep ball at the back. Murphy and Ricketts had shots blocked but from the second one Armstrong was on hand to steer the ball back past the keeper to give City a goal lead. City were now on the up and Kent was becoming a real handful as City advanced. City won a corner and it took a block to prevent Martin getting a header on target from the set piece but from this Doncaster broke quickly and charged down the field O’Brien tried to stop them but was out foxed it took a well timed diving tackle on the edge of the box by Vincelot to clear the danger. City went forward after this and Kent played in Armstrong, the top scorer was clean through and attempted to chip the keeper but the ball was too high and went over the bar. Fleck had a shot on target before, not for the first time a Doncaster player went down but Mr Swaby, the referee was having a good game and waved him up. Half time City on top but with only a goal lead.

City started well in second half after some good build up play Armstrong got the ball and played in Murphy who hit the side netting. No long after Rovers went forward and got a shot in on goal unfortunately Reece-Cook couldn’t hold and Tyson was on hand for a tap in to level. City reacted well to the goal with some good possession and then winning a corner, the flag kick was cleared and the ball fell to Fleck outside of the area just as I shouted “don’t shoot” he did but it looked easy for Stuckmann in the goal before it slipped under him to give City back the lead and Fleck his 6th goal as a City player. City kept up the pressure with Armstrong shooting wide minutes later. O’Brien then went close with a long ranged shot as the pressure continued. Then a goal City had been threatening to concede for a while as Reece-Cook passed to Fleck on the edge of the area he was closed down and robbed the ball went to Tyson who slotted it past the keeper to level it up once more. City were stung by a another soft goal in the game hit back with Kent going wide the game petered out nut in injury time City nearly lost their unbeaten home league record when Nathan Tyson got the ball in the area and cleverly chipped Reece-Cook the ball sailed over him and hit the bar then to safety. Finally the whistle went and City, for a few days at least were still top of the league.

Man of the Match
1st Romain Vincelot: Worker tirelessly in midfield
2nd Jim O’Brien Got up and down well
3rd Ryan Kent Always dangerous

Bradford City Vs Coventry City

So a midweek trip up the M1 with its annoying 50mph zones was tackled to get us there in good time. In my previous 7 trips to Valley Parade and I have yet to see a win. The team news was a bit of surprise as three changes were made to the side that hammered the league leaders, Fleck was out with a tight hamstring or a “Joe Cole” as we called it. Last time we were at Bradford was the opening game of last season and remarkably not a single player that started that day for us started tonight, the line up was in goal Reece-Cook, Ricketts, Turner, Martin, Stokes, in midfield we had Murphy, Vincelot, Bigirimana, Lameiras, with Armstrong playing deep and Fortune up front. Meanwhile Bradford had five survivors from that game including the forward Hanson who past a late fitness test a player that is always a real handful for City. Both teams were in good form City unbeaten in nine, Bradford in eight with their keeper having six clean sheets on a row. It is not nice being an away fan at Bradford, one toilet, one food kiosk with dearer than normal food and drink and a £25 ticket, whilst Bradford season tickets cost £150, then again they have to keep the prices in the 1980’s because that want sort of football they play.


We all know how Phil Parkingson’s Bradford like to play, basic, no thrills but effective football. Not long into the game and the away fans had shouted “hoof” several times as a long ball was aimed at Hanson, again and again this happened at the same time the home players took every opportunity to hit the deck and complain to the ref every time a decision went against them even when it was obvious they were wrong. City are well suited to an airial bombardment and were coping well when the home side had the first effort that went over. City by total contrast were trying to play football and Bigirimana was looking good in midfield playing the Fleck role. Bradford’s defence was well drilled and were keeping the league leaders at arm’s length, Coventry City league leaders still sounds strange. City kept plugging away when Armstrong found room in the box and hit the post before the ball was cleared. “HOOF” Bradford whacked it long again; it must be horrible to be forced to watch that every week, “we play on the ground” the City fans sung to the home fans. Murphy then put in a shot but it was the defenders on top. Back at our end Bradford fired one wide and won a corner after pressuring the referee. A cross from the right looked dangerous as a Bradford player slid in under pressure, put it wide. Reece-Cook was looking confident in the goal, catching and distributing well. Bradford had a couple of half chances before Bigirimana blasted well over from a free kick and that was half time.

Murphy had a shot on target early in the second half as City attacked the end we were in. A long ranged shot was easily collected by Reece-Cook before the first change of the night as Fortune went off to be replaced by O’Brien, who was one of the starters the last time we played here. At the other end another shot went wide before Armstrong tried to catch the keeper off his line but the game remained level. Despite being no goals the game was quite intriguing and it looked like one slip could loose it for either side. O’Brien then found some room and attempted to shoot across goal from outside the box but put it wide. Another route one attack saw Bradford get the ball on the left a deep cross saw McMahon unmarked he looked certain to score but Reece-Cook blocked the powerful shot with his legs to keep things level. City then made the second change as Kent replaced Lameiras. The sub got into the action straight away forcing the keeper to push it away, Murphy got the ball on the right of box and tried to worm his way back in before his shot was blocked. City were looking better as the game went on and Kent broke one Bradford player tried to take him down two footed with feet in the air but thankfully missed the attack came to nothing and the referee failed to book the player then again he could have booked a couple of City players but decided to keep his cards at home. Murphy forced the keeper to save with ten minutes to go as everyone was getting a little edgy. Bradford took Hanson off who had been in the back pocket of Martin throughout the game as the clock counted down. Deep into injury time Bradford won a dangerous free kick on appeal and with their season ticket holders, the cheapest in league football, roaring them one they knocked the ball in the box but City dealt with it and the ref signalled the end to the game.

City fans left pretty happy with the point and a great defensive display, the local radio station also seemed really pleased with the point, which is the first time I can remember drawing 0-0 away from home in the league and the home side seeming happy with the point. That left us to tackle the 50mph motorway knowing it will be quite a while for our next midweek away trip, got home at 1.

Man of the Match
1st Aaron Martin: Contained Hason
2nd Gael Bigirimana: We have competition in the defensive midfield role
3rd Charles Reece-Cook: Solid at the back distributed well.

Coventry City Vs Gillingham

The last time we played Gillingham at home was a the return to the Ricoh in front of a full ground over a season on and the biggest crowd of the season, over 15,000 turned to see 1st vs. 2nd. There was an excited atmosphere in the ground as we waited for kick off noticing “new” signing Ben Turner seemed a lot bigger when he played for us. The line up was in goal Reece-Cook, with Ricketts, Martin, Stokes and making his second City debut Ben Turner, in midfield we had O’Brien, Fleck, Vincelot, Murphy and Kent with Armstrong up front. The Gills had two former City forwards up front in the shape of Cody McDonald and Dominic Samuel.

It was a very cold day as the action got underway with City attacking the away end in the first half. City started the brighter and had most of the ball whilst Gillingham were busy fouling our players. “We are top of the league” sang the away fans to shouts of “not for long” by fans in Block 20. Gillingham were holding firm hoping to see out the early pressure then push on but City kept them pressed back as Turner looked in control at the back. Murphy, playing behind Armstrong was the first to have a shot just before the ten minute mark firing wide. Kent was giving Gillingham problems quite ironically considering what county Gillingham are in. City continued the pressure with a shot by Fleck which was comfortable for the Gills, keeper. The pressure kept on as Martin had a header on target from a corner. Fleck had another long range shot go wide. Kent showed great skill with great ball control making it hard for the defenders to keep tabs on him before he had a shot go wide. After twenty minutes Gills seemed to have gotten over the worst and even launched an attack but the shot went wide. It was still mostly City looking for a way through the away teams defence as they resulted to fouling. Murphy then went close with another shot just go wide but City were getting closer. City were still on top and looked a far better team than Gillingham, our attacking players were a handful, the midfielders were in control and our defence were not giving them a chance. Finally a Gillingham player got into the referee’s book with yet another foul. In a rare attack Gillingham won a corner and they are the highest scorers from set pieces and they nearly had another one as McDonald got in a header and it beat the keeper but Ricketts was on the line to clear, a close thing. The ball went forward to three City players in forward positions, Murphy chased the pass and the defender panicked and tried to slide in and tackle but he under hit the ball and Murphy had half the pitch to run free in on goal. Murphy approached the keeper went around him and just about steered the ball home to put City on top of the game and the league. City fans were still getting used to be top of the league when City got a corner. All eyes were on Turner as he moved forward into the area, Kent took the flag kick and Turner attacked it and headed it down it bounced up into the roof of the net, what a come back, Turner was mobbed by the players whilst City fans were singing “he’s one of our won” and “we are top of the league”. Gillingham looked shell shocked and City looked full of beans when O’Brien slide a great ball through to Murphy, who was in the clear and another run-in on the keeper, he again rounded Nelson in the goal and slotted it home for 3-0 in six minutes, fans were in dreamland as the leaders were being taken apart. Fans were still celebrating when Stokes advanced down the left he was left alone and managed to knock in a cross, Murphy was first to it to smack in yet another goal, 4-0! In ten minutes and the first City hat trick since Freddy Eastwood we just couldn’t believe it; this was incredible football we haven’t seen for ages or at all with City. Some Gillingham fans headed for the exit as I lambasted them that they wouldn’t be back next week. Half time City 4-0 a warning to the rest of League One.


City started well in the second half as Murphy ran at a panicky Gillingham defence and won a corner. O’Brien then had a shot blocked before Samuel won a corner at the other end. With another game Tuesday it was time to rest players and first of to a standing ovation was Ben Turner he was replaced by Phillips. City now seemed to change down a gear as Gillingham fought for respectability but City should have made it five when Armstrong was played in, he put the ball past the keeper but it hit the post. At the other end Gillingham attacked and Dack was allowed to shot and placed his shot well to make it 4-1 and to give the reaming travelling fans something to celebrate. City decided to call it a day and took off Murphy but his replacement got a big cheer as Gael Bigirimana returned to the fold. Aaron Phillips then threw himself into a typical do or die tackle as Gillingham were now having most of the play. Cody McDonald went off after being contained during the game before the other former City player Samuel had a shot on target. Haynes then replaced the ever hardworking O’Brien for the last ten minutes. Gael had a shot on target as the game went on then a controversial moment as Haynes raced down the wing he seemed to be smacked in the face by a Gillingham player but he got away with what would have been a red card if the ref saw it, like everyone else in the Arena. Armstrong went close as City fans started the “up the Football League we go” song before the referee blew for full time as we went clear at the top of the table our best start in history, apparently.

Man of the Match
1st Jacob Murphy: Hat trick.
2nd John Fleck Ran midfield
3rd Ben Turner A great return

Colchester United Vs Coventry City

It was a wet day when we arrived at Colchester after a long drive down Britain’s most boring road the A14 but at least there were no speed restrictions. This is a ground we have won at twice nut around the same time of year. In the ground we heard the line up and it was in goal Reece-Cook, with Phillips, Martin, Ricketts and Stokes at the back with O’Brien, Fleck, Vincelot and Lameiras, Murphy playing just behind Fortune.

Before the game we had a minute’s silence for the people of Paris in our last away game of the year on a Saturday. City started off well with a couple of blocked shots. City kept up the pressure with Fortune looking good as O’Brien tested Jones in goal the same Jones that played four times with us last season. City were passing well as Fleck shot wide, City on top. Colchester started to get forward some more when suddenly a ball found Bonne unmarked in front of Reece-Cook, the player diverted the ball past the keeper for a very soft goal, some appeals for off side but it was soon apparent that Stokes played them on side as he received a rollicking from Vincelot. This gave the home side confidence and they started to get on top with Moncur the main threat for the U’s. City kept giving away silly free kicks which is a danger because the home side are expert at set plays. O’Brien then picked up a booking. Danger man Moncur went on another dribble before firing at the keeper. Colchester won another corner the shot wasn’t too strong but Reece-Cook fumbled, Ricketts was on hand to clear. Sordell then got the ball in front of the box he shimmed and hit the ball it beat Cookie and hit the post, the ball ran in front the goal but no one could get to it and City survived. I thought “that could be a vital miss”. City fans started to applaud for Martin Fulop who sadly died recently. City went forward and Fortune found Murphy, his shot was blocked but the player that played 11 games and scored four goals for the home team last season reacted well and got to the ball and hit it home to spark off celebrations in the away end. City now were back on top as Phillips had a shot, Colchester had a shot at our end in an entertaining game. City went forward again and Fortune played the ball into the area, Murphy timed his run to perfection and only had the keeper to beat, he rounded Jones, steady himself as we waited for the net to bulge and it did as City turned the game on its head. City kept pressing as Fortune had a shot before half time came.

Second half saw City attacking the away end as the rains continued. City kept going forward in the second half as Lameiras cut in down the right and fired in a shot, Jones fumbled and Fortune was on hand for a tap in to give us a 3-1 lead. City now looked settled with the defence looking strong, the midfield on top and the forwards playing well the only doubt was Moncur who was having a very good game for Colchester. Fleck and Phillips went into Mr Horwood’s book who was more than happy to flash the yellow card. Colchester started to push forward but they were struggling to break City down as we looked to hit them on the break. Murphy alos got on a through ball but Jones was quick off his line and just beat the loan player to the ball. City made a change that the hapless 4th official kept getting wrong but in the end Tudgay replaced Fortune. Reece-Cook fielded a few shot but nothing too difficult. Another change saw Lameiras replaced by Haynes to play in midfield. Each time City had a sub the 4th official put up no 11 but it was the number 11 O’Brien that charge in full of energy to win the ball where he had no right to, O’Brien eventually was taken off to great applause and on came Thomas. Martin joined the rest in the book as City were still in control when Haynes came close with a good long range shot out wide. Sordall had a shot on target. City were getting closer to a win when Colchester came very close as Reece-Cook save a shot it fell to Massey who looked certain to score but Cookie got up quick and managed to block the shot with his foot to keep the two goal margin. The game came to the end with City in 2nd place, happy days.

Man of the Match
1st Marc-Antoine Fortune: Best game of the season.
2nd Jacob Murphy: If Armstrong goes Murphy can fill him for him
3rd John Fleck: Ran midfield.