Choccy's match reports...2016/17

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Here ya go Choccy...sorry a bit late...

Coventry City vs Blackpool


Over a year ago the Coventry band The Enemy announced they would be playing in Coventry on the 29th of October, the fixture fell kindly as we had Blackpool at home, so it was decided to attend. Paul had my ticket, and he was attending his first City game of the season. So, I would go with him, grab something to eat and join the others at the gig. So off to the local bus stop at 1 to catch the no 5, which stated on the website stopped at The Arena Shopping Park. Bus pulled up at five past, the driver informed me, it no longer stopped there! A quick search on the web and it stated the no 3 goes to the arena park. The road it stopped at was two miles away, so a quick walk and the stop was nowhere in sight, I walked down a very long road to find the stop, now it was 2 o’clock, bus in at 2.06, no bus turned up, so a hike to the ground some 30 minutes away. Made it in time. Drama over, but only for me the real drama was the impending administration for the ground owners and whether City will play here against Blackburn on Tuesday or somewhere else.

Meanwhile a sickness bug had swept through the City camp, Rose, Bidwell, Panzo, McFadzean, Tavares, Allen, Palmer and Gyökeres all under the weather, and Sheaf had a knock and would have been rested but Eccles was ill as well, so the team announced showed no recognised forwards, Palmer started up front supported by Allen and O’Hare, who was to be eased back into action with a longer run from the bench, but now had to start, Hamer and Sheaf in holding midfield, Kane made his first league start of the season now that Dabo is out until, at least after the World Cup, Panzo, McFadzean, Doyle and Bidwell made up the rest of the team. Blackpool came to the ground a team that scores and concedes goals for fun.

Finally, I could get down to watching a game. The Seasiders started the brighter and twice loanee Gary Madine should have given them the lead early on, when a cross found him unmarked, he had to throw himself at the ball but put it wide. Three minutes later he had another chance, breaking past the defence, he had Wilson to beat from a narrow angle, the keeper did well to close him down quickly and made the save. They also hit the post. Blackpool had a couple of corners as City were struggling to work out the new formation, Sheaf went into the book for a trip, from a referee who ran the game well throughout. Blackpool were still on top as Madine missed another chance. Finally, City got forward and Allen got a shot on target. City were slowly getting more of the ball, when Palmer fed O’Hare, whose shot was saved. The away side still looked dangerous and I was hoping we could make it to half time still level, then with five to go, out of nothing, Hamer got the ball played in O’Hare on the edge of the box, he flicked it on to Palmer, the emergency forward, held off a challenge, steadied himself and planted the ball past the keeper, for a surprise lead, his first goal for the club, but the build-up was Premier League class. Blackpool hit back with some pressure and one free kick caused concern. Leaving Madine to head home, “OFF SIDE” came the shouts from that part of the ground, and seconds later the linesman thankfully raised his flag and City went into half time a goal up.

We were up to 16th place in the live tables so could City hold out during the 2nd half? Well, no, eight minutes in Doyle was put under pressure, instead of clearing the ball he passed back to Wilson, but a Pool player beat him to the ball, he knocked it out to Husbands, he crossed and Madine headed over Wilson to give them a deserved leveller. City hit back well with two shot that both just swerved to the right of the goal, the first from Allen and second from Hamer. Both sides went close Madine for them and Kane for us. Sheaf then played in O’Hare, whose first time shot went just wide. A couple of close calls as Blackpool went close, before, finally City threw on a forward as Gyökeres replaced Palmer. This almost made an immediate impact as Hamer sent him through, with only one defender, between him and the goal, somehow, he stuck with the Big Swede and won a free kick, his keeper raced out to congratulate him. Then Gyökeres was caught just offside from a great ball from O’Hare, before Kane picked out Gyökeres whose shot was saved. Just as City were enjoying their best spell, a sucker punch at the other end, a cross was met by their prolific scorer Yates to head them in front. City made changes, Jack Boroughs came on for only his third game replacing Bidwell and Walker returned from injury replacing Allen. City had some half chances but had to settle for defeat.

Man of the Match
1st Callum O’Hare Somehow got through 90 minutes
2nd Kasey Palmer Good finish
3rd Todd Kane Got forward well.

After the game, in the car, into the town centre, had something to eat at Five Guys and joined everyone else for a great gig, walked home, end of a long day.

Coventry City vs Rotherham United

This was to be the game that opened our home campaign, and it had all the hallmarks of a massive banana skin. MR decided, being at home to go two up front as Waghorn partnered Gyökeres, up front, O’Hare still quite not ready for a start so Allen was in the attacking midfield role, Sheaf was back from suspension and partnered Hamer in the middle, Panzo was rested, on his birthday, allowing Doyle to play, the others were Wilson in goal, Dabo, Rose, McFadzean and Bidwell in defence. The Millers are mid table and look a lot better than the recent teams that had been relegated from this division.

It was the away side that started off the brighter, going close early on. City got forward and had two shots blocked, before Waghorn fell to the ground, it didn’t look good for the forward and soon he had to be taken off, on came Palmer to play in midfield. For the last few games it was the opposition that had most of the ball and City sat back, this game I thought it would be the other way around, but it was United that was dominating. City looked unusually shaky at the back and took some good blocks to stop shots on target. With the Millers still on top McFadzean seemed to be fouled on the touchline, but he brought a player down when he got passed and was booked. Finally, City started to get more of the ball and move forward as Hamer shot wide. Now the tables were turned as City had most of the ball and were buzzing around a well-drilled visitors’ defence. Hamer then played a brilliant ball behind the Rotherham defence, Gyökeres, bent his run to get it, but the linesman’s flag went up for offside which we disputed. City were improving all the time, and Callum Doyle, has skill for a defender and likes to raid forward, one of his runs, resulted in him having a powerful shot at Johansson in the away goal. Rotherham angered the crowd for taking forever over throw-ins. City were still on top and had a couple of efforts blocked. One of their players, Hall was then booked for fouling Palmer. From this free kick Rose headed across the goal and McFadzean steamed in, only planting his header inches wide and in the process taking out four Rotherham players! Then from absolutely nothing Rotherham threw a classic sucker punch, Barlsaer sped away down the field, leaving Allen in his wake “bring him down”, someone shouted from behind, he didn’t and he played a great ball outside of Dabo, into the path of their wingback Bramall, he got the ball with Dabo struggling to keep up before beating a static Wilson from around the edge of the box and Coventry conceded. Dabo was injured in the chase and worrying needed a stretcher, to take him off on came Eccles. This meant that City could only have one more intervention to make a sub for the rest of the game. City hit back in injury time and won a corner, Hamer played it in and Palmer headed the ball to the corner of the goal, only for a Rotherham head to clear it from under the cross bar.

Half time City a goal down, “O’Hare and Tavares to come on in the 2nd half”, was the thought.

First action of the 2nd half saw a Rotherham shot blocked, before a bad foul “you got to book him for that ref”, he did, fair enough. City were soon on top again as Rotherham, sat back, just like we would in the same situation. Then Hamer, swung a brilliant cross to the far post Eccles ran in but put his shot wide of the post. Rotherham were back to time wasting, as a player went down and stayed down, a stretcher came on, then he got to his feet with a mass of booing, he limped off to be replaced. Allen then had a chance, but not for the first time that night didn’t get accuracy on the effort. Gyökeres, then set up Hamer for a shot, that was blocked. On the break Brammall destroyed Eccles for pace down the wing, but he couldn’t get a cross in. Rotherham’s goal scorer then went off with an injury. City again wormed their way into the box, but somehow Rotherham kept an effort from Palmer, testing the keeper. Doyle then set up Palmer to test the keeper, as City were getting closer. The fans were already singing the name of O’Hare. Then City should have levelled a high ball was badly punched by their keeper under a challenge from Gyökeres, I was waiting for the ref to blow for a foul on the keeper, but it didn’t come, the ball fell to Allen who with the goal at his mercy could only hit it straight at Johansson. Then it was time for a mass substitution as six players, three from each side came on, for Rotherham on came former City favourite Richard Wood, also on came forward Tom Eaves, can’t be a bad side to have Eaves on the bench. For City, a surprise no Tavares, but on came Panzo for McFadzean, Kane replaced Bidwell and O’Hare came on to great cheering, he replaced Sheaf. The impact was immediate, Hamer, intercepted a pass deep in their half, it went to O’Hare, he found Palmer, a lovely flick, sent Hamer through and he blasted off the inside post to level the game up. Now there seemed only one winner. United responded well forcing Wilson into a save. Then, again out of nothing, Washington was sent through, was he offside? He advanced on Wilson, the keeper came out to block, but the ball fell back to Washington for a tap in and City trailed again. With eight to go, another foul and booking for United, Kane picked out O’Hare who headed over. With Rotherham still time wasting Gyökeres was shown a yellow card for arguing. Palmer meanwhile kept pointing at his wrist to the ref to remind him to add on the minutes. Wilson then had to save from Eaves. Into the 90th minute, Hamer found Palmer, he played a great ball into O’Hare, he raced into the box and was brought down by Wood, penalty, awarded. Now who was going to take it? It was Gyökeres, who had only taken one penalty for City and failed to score, at Barnsley at the beginning of last season. It was Viktor vs Viktor as one Swede faced another. One fan in front of me couldn’t watch, as Gyökeres, stepped up, hit it straight down and middle and levelled the game up. Into the last minute of injury time Gyökeres had his shirt pulled, this time the ref awarded a free kick close to the edge of the box, Hamer took it placing it inches over and we settled for a hard-earned point.

Man of the Match
1st Gustavo Hamer Controlled midfield
2nd Kasey Palmer Two assists
3rd Callum O’Hare Turned the game, great to have him back

Stoke City vs Coventry City


A short trip up the horrible M6 for today’s game. After parking up we waited for the team news. Missing were Matty Godden, who reports say he could be out for 3-4 months! Liam Kelly also picked up another injury, on the other hand Callum O’Hare was back and was on the bench. The line-up was Wilson in goal, Dabo, Rose, McFadzean, Panzo and Bidwell at the back. In midfield we had Eccles, and his first start since his ban Hamer, also in the forward positions in midfield were Allen and Palmer, leaving Gyökeres up front. We joined the 2,700 away fans with the thought that Stoke are good going forward but a bit suspect at the back.

We defended the goal closest to us in the first half. Right from the off Stoke started well and passed the ball around, The Sky Blues were finding it hard to get the ball. The Potters were putting on pressure and won an early corner which was easily defended. After ten minutes of pressure finally City got forward and Gyökeres got more or less his first touch after a pass from Palmer. Minutes later a great chance, a loose pass almost headed to Palmer, who would have had an empty goal, but a defender just beat him to the ball. Apart from that it was still nearly all Stoke. After 17 minutes they won a corner, it was sent in and veteran Phil Jagielka, flicked the ball on it hit the crossbar, an escape for City. It was a case of hanging on and hoping for a break, their player Fox fired wide, before Lewis Baker went closer. A loose pass at the back gave Stoke a chance but the shot was wide. Coventry were defending well with McFadzean yet again massive at the back. A rare attack saw Hamer trying one of his piledrivers. Still all Stoke, but they seemed to start to run out of ideas and slowly City were getting forward more. We weathered the storm and got to half time without conceding.

Radio Stoke had former City loan player Clive Clarke in the analyst seat and he was bemoaning the lack of a quality pass in the final third.

The second half saw a change as another former loan fullback, Dujon Stirling went off. The second half got underway with Stoke attacking. City fans, as normal were in good voice, singing songs about the demise of Wasps, and songs about the players. Stoke had one blocked and Wilson had to field a shot. After 51 minutes City got forward, Hamer, got the ball, Allen ran from deep, Gustavo played in a great ball and suddenly Allen was clear, with a run-in on goal, he drew the keeper out and was hacked down from behind I shouted “Pen…” before I could finish, Allen skilfully lobbed the keeper the ball hit the back of the net. It was Allen’s first away league goal since one he scored at Bristol Rovers, in League One in 2020. Now we were bouncing in the away end, Stoke had to break our defence now to stop us getting three points. Stoke responded with a shot on target but an easy save for Wilson. Palmer then picked up a yellow card for diving in, no complaints with the booking. Stoke’s boss Alex Neil swapped his forwards for fresh legs, after taking them out of the back pockets of the defenders. Stoke won a couple of corners, again either they were well defended or badly delivered. City were buzzing and looking good when Palmer picked out Hamer in the centre circle. Now came the fun, The Brazilian, took off on a run, he raced past the midfielders who couldn’t keep up, he entered the box, but had two players between him and the goal, instead of passing, he used his momentum, turned to the right and raced between the two players, the keeper was off his line so Gustavo bent a great shot around the keeper and into the net, no one could believe what a brilliant goal that was. Gus’ name was sung long and proud, this was the quality we have been missing. Palmer was replaced by Waghorn, to take the game to Stoke. “How bad must you be, we’re winning away”, we sang. The Potters had run out of ideas and switched to the longball easily lapped up by the defenders. Hamer had a blast over the bar. If City fans were not excited enough, we then had the sight of Callum O’Hare on the touchline. Minutes later he came on replacing Hamer, who had a standing ovation. “We’ve got O’Hare, Callum Callum O’Hare” we belted out from the away end. It took a while for his first couple of touches and both he was back defending. We started to get forward and Gyökeres finally escaped his defender, and it took Jagielka to intercept the run and prevent a shot. Then Gyökeres escaped again, but according the ref with a foul. Todd Kane replaced Dabo to see the game out. Onto the 90th minute and the ball went to O’Hare on the edge of the box, we were thinking of a dream goal, he shot towards the far corner, but their keeper pulled off a good save, the ball seemed to fall to Waghorn, but a defender slid in with him to keep out the goal. Then confusion, on the edge of the box City stole the ball and scored, but the ref ruled it out. The referee brought the game to the end. We have now kept four away clean sheets on a row a record, for us in the top two divisions. A great win as we stayed to applaud and sing the players off.

Man of the Match
1st Gustavo Hamer Just quality
2nd Kyle McFadzean Just immense
3rd Jamie Allen Great finish

Cardiff City vs Coventry City


Always an enjoyable trip to South Wales, via the Prince of Wales Bridge and back through Wales via the M50. It was sunshine and rain on the trip down. Arrived in plenty of time. We hunted down the pub where The Coventry City London Supporters were based, sat on a table with Alan and his grown-up son Ben Payne, not related, but we did have 60% Paynes. At the pub were heard the team news and the surprise, with Eccles coming in for Palmer, Walker was out injured so Godden came in for him. The rest of the team was Wilson in goal, Dabo on his 100th league game for us, Doyle, McFadzean, Panzo and Bidwell, the rest of midfield were Allen and Sheaf, leaving Gyökeres up front. The Bluebirds had former City loan keeper Ryan Allsopp in goal. City had never won at Cardiff’s new ground, so something to aim for. Before the game the team above us Huddersfield lost at Rotherham giving us a chance to close the gap. This ground has a safe standing area, each row of seats, in the upper part of the stand has a rail, allowing fans to stand, in their own space, a great idea.

We played in our Black away strip and attacked the far end in the first half. After only three minutes a glorious chance, a long ball was played and for some reason Allsopp raced off his line, Gyökeres, beat him to it and suddenly had three players between him and the goal, it looked harder to miss, which he did, we couldn’t believe it. The Bluebirds, refreshed from the miss pushed forward. Our defence was looking shaky as the defenders seemed to be getting in each other’s way. It was a case of blocking shots and keeping tight. Cardiff won some corners and each delivery looked dangerous as City had out backs to the wall. Another couple of blocks before City started to get more of the ball. City managed to break and win a corner of our own, Eccles picked out Panzo who headed just over. Then a surprise move as Doyle was taken off for Rose. Apparently, Doyle had a knock, but thought he could play on, MR decided he couldn’t. City fans were getting into the game as well and Wasps was a constant theme, with a song “We’re going to party, when London Wasps go bust”, also “Wasps are dead, the City’s ours”. The Sky Blues were now looking more stable and started to push forward. Josh Eccles was helping no end in midfield a selection that many couldn’t believe but he was playing well. City had a chance then as Bidwell swung in a cross and Allen got to it but forced a save off Allsopp. Another blocked shot led to another Cardiff corner that was defended. Then in the 34th minute a pass was flicked on by Godden, to Allen, lurking wide, but unmarked, he broke into the penalty area and fired a shot across Allsopp, he could only push it to were Gyökeres was standing unmarked “OPEN GOAL!” I shouted and it was a tap in for Viktor to give us the lead, it was the first time we have ever took the lead at this ground. This knocked Cardiff back a bit, but they responded and had a shot on target but an easy catch for Wilson. Then Gyökeres picked up a booking, for backing into a player, despite his protests. We got to half time with the lead.

Second half City would attack our end. At the other end confusion, a melee in the box saw Cardiff score, they celebrated, but the City players surrounded the ref, he trotted over to the linesman, I could see nothing wrong with the goal, after a short chat the linesman stuck his flag up and the goal was ruled offside. Sheaf then went into the book as he hacked down a player. We were coming under increasing pressure as the away fans responded with the Twist and Shout song, which lifted the atmosphere. City were looking dangerous on the counter as Godden headed on to Gyökeres to put one wide. A scuffle between Panzo and a Cardiff player resulted in only a yellow for each. It was McFadzean at the back that was repelling everything on his 600th game as a player, including non-league games. Cardiff were getting frustrated in their inability to break us down, but still looked dangerous from corners. When we got the ball the midfield three used it well, Sheaf, battling away, Allen running into space and Eccles looking like he had 200 games to his name and not just over 20. Cardiff’s caretaker manager started to ring the changes. Meanwhile City seemed to be caught offside a lot as the game went on. MR decided to make some changes, off went Allen after a good contribution and was replaced by Palmer, Godden was replaced by Waghorn. Palmer was like a man possessed, racing around flying into tackles and breaking up play. A great chance then was when Gyökeres was played in by Waghorn, but his goal bound shot was blocked for a corner. City were still blocking everything at the other end and nearly sealed the game, when Waghorn showed a nice piece of skill by cutting into the box wide, he crossed to Bidwell, who somehow appeared in a forward position his header was tipped over the bar by Allsopp a good save. Into injury time, four according to the 4th official, which matched my timing as well, meanwhile the Cardiff commentators on Radio Wales, thought it was seven. In the 2nd minute of injury time they won a corner and Allsopp raced forward, it was defended well. The game went on and went over the four-minute time, to my frustration, then Bidwell was booked and Cardiff had a dangerous free kick parallel to the area, well after the whistle should have sounded, Allsopp went forward again, but a City head got to it, “BLOW THAT WHISTLE YOU C***”, I shouted thankfully he did and we could celebrate a win.

After the normal post-match celebrations with the team, they walked off, until Robins seemed to have a word with Gyökeres, he came back over on his own to applaud the fans as we sung his song. Not a bad journey back, after dropping two off at different homes, I got back, with a take-away before nine.

Man of the Match
1st Josh Eccles Best game for the club and a selection headache for the boss
2nd Karl McFadzean Our colossus and leader at the back
3rd Jamie Allen Set up the goal, could have scored himself.

Coventry City vs Burnley


We faced a parachute payment side in Burnley for our third home game of the season. The main news was Walker was in for Godden, they rest was unchanged, Wilson, Dabo, Doyle, McFadzean, Panzo, Bidwell, Allen, Sheaf, Palmer and Gyökeres.

Burnley are a possession side and it showed from the off. Former loanee Ian Maatsen was in the Clarets side and he was disgracefully booed every time he touched the ball. It was nearly all Burnley as City were struggling to cope in midfield, if we had either Kelly, O’Hare or Hamer available maybe we would have gone five in midfield. City’s defence was however holding firm and Dabo was playing particularly well, breaking up any attacks and getting forward himself. Then Dabo was taken out by Brownhill, the ref decided only on a warning, the type of foul, that if committed in the second half would have resulted in a booking. Burnley had a few attempts as they kept buzzing around the City box, then Maatsen set up a chance but an easy save for Wilson. City did get an attack going when Wilson threw the ball out a Burnley player got his hand to it, but the ref played a good advantage, the attack fizzled out and the player was warned when nine times out of ten he would have been booked. City were slowly growing into the game when Walker had a chance to run into space behind the defence but was crudely hacked down by Beyer, there was a covering defender, so only a yellow, but the tackle itself was close to a red. Fadz had City’s first shot twenty odd minutes into the game, but not on target. It was then the turn of Jack Cork to bring down Walker, Cork played 21 games for us back in 2009. Burnley’s assistant manager is none other than Craig Bellamy, so after the foul I shouted “What are you telling them Bellamy! Good job you didn’t give them golf clubs!” As he once attacked a teammate with one. A friend next me said, “You’re happy now you got a Bellamy reference in”. Wilson was on hand for another catch. Then out of nothing a ball over the top sees Tella go wide, he shot across the goal line it hit the far post and rolled in. Maatsen then got into the book as Dabo went passed him and was brought down, old habits die hard for Maatsen. In injury time City won a corner and it came over to Panzo whose header hit the post and that was it for half time.

City needed to improve in the second half and needed more of the ball. Nothing changed at the start of the 2nd half, Burnley with the ball and the home fans going quiet. The visitors had a few shots blocked as City were still defending well. Then the home fans were stirred, and a murmur went up as four subs were getting ready. Minutes later they came on Eccles for Doyle, Tavares for Palmer, Rose for McFadzean and Godden for Walker. We went four at the back, three in midfield with three up front, Gyökeres and Tavares playing slightly wide. This lifted the home crowd all off a sudden the atmosphere was back. This was far better from City Tavares was looking lively and was unlucky on one occasion when he looked like he would run clear but the through ball hit him on the back of his legs. Gyökeres had one blocked and Panzo put one wide. Then with nine to go it was almost 2-0, Burnley’s high press won the ball and with Wilson out of position Gudmunsson had a shot from outside the box, but thankfully Wilson got back in time to stop the shot. Kane then replaced Dabo and the sub’s first action was to shoot just wide from outside the box, following a corner. In injury time a Godden header went over, before Gyökeres broke through but decided to pass and it was cleared. So a defeat against a very good Burnley side, it could be a struggle to stay up this season, but the midfielders should be available by the next home game, so here’s hoping.

Man of the match
1st Frankaty Dabo: His best game of the season
2nd Johnathan Panzo Unlucky with his header
3rd Fabio Tavares Looked dangerous from the bench

Bristol City vs Coventry City

Away to Bristol in midweek is one of the kinder fixtures, but it still took two and a half hours for the coach to be parked up at Ashton Gate. Amazingly it is now 11 years since we last lost here. The Robins are joint highest scorers in the Championship so a test for our back five of Dabo, Doyle, McFadzean, Panzo and Bidwell, we had Wilson in goal, with Godden and Gyökeres, up front and Sheaf, Allen and former Bristol City player Palmer in midfield.

Just before kick off the lad with a drum turned up and sat right near me, I, like many others moved. We attacked the far end in the first half on an immaculate pitch. It was even stuff in the opening exchanges, when Godden robbed a ball, tried to slip past a player but he brought him down on the edge of the box, yellow card. Palmer took the free kick just putting it wide of the keeper’s left-hand post. Bristol looked a side far better than last season’s and were knocking the ball around well. They came close in the 13th minute when the ball fell to Messengo outside the box, his shot skidded through a sea of legs and just past the post. City were sitting back and trying to hit them on the break, Gyökeres had a couple of good runs, one he drew the defenders in but didn’t release the ball to Godden in time and the chance was gone. The Robins were however looking the better side and City were at full stretch defending. We had a scare on the half hour mark when a ball got to the back post and Semenyo had a free shot, but Wilson saved with his legs. It was now almost all Bristol with ten minutes to go, we needed to make it to half time, but with McFadzean organising at the back we looked solid. Half time no goals, we hoped we could nick one in the second half.

Attacking our end in the second half we had an early chance when Sheaf played Gyökeres through, but he skied the chance, a minute later Gyökeres went wide and squared the ball to Godden but a defender beat him to the ball to concede a corner. Another good break saw Godden go forward, the ball fell to Palmer, but his shot was straight at their keeper. Bristol still had most of the ball, working their way wide, to swing in a series of crosses, but the three central defenders were winning everything. At our end Palmer set up Gyökeres for a shot on target. At the other end Bristol got a header on target but Wilson emerged with the ball. City had a shot at our end that hit the post, some City players protested to the ref, but it was nowhere near crossing the line, but apparently there was a Bristol handball, which local radio even admitted to. It was going to be a long last ten minutes as The Robins were still buzzing around our box, one slip and we would lose. Sheaf was then badly fouled, but he picked up a booking for reacting. Nahki Wells then tried a bicycle kick that Wilson tipped over the bar. City survived a series of corners as Walker replaced Godden. City stayed firm and there was no more drama as Bristol failed to score for the first time this season and we faced the home journey happy with a point.

Man of the Match
1st Kyle McFadzean: The veteran organised the defence
2nd Ben Sheaf: He’s everywhere
3rd Callum Doyle Had to mark one of their best players

Coventry City Vs Middlesbrough


At last, finally, yippee, we could go to a home game, in Coventry, on a Saturday for the first time in just over four months. We desperately needed a win to get the season up and running, before a massive number of fixtures. The Brough came south in bad form, the lowest placed team who have played the maximum number of games. For the team news, with Hamer starting his long ban, Kelly and O’Hare back in training, but too soon to be in the squad, Palmer came into midfield, with him were Sheaf and Allen, up front was Godden and Gyökeres, who Middlesbrough tried to sign in pre-season. At the back were Dabo, Doyle, McFadzean, Panzo and Bidwell, with Wilson in goal, now matching the same number of games as Moore.

A crowd just short of 20,000 was at the CBS to take in the game and it was City that started the brighter. Their player Fry went off, for what looked like a cut head, City didn’t take advantage of the ten men, still building slowly, when Dabo went down the right, he crossed to Gyökeres, Viktor held the ball up and laid it off to Palmer, who had a clear shot but put it wide. Fry came back on with a shirt with no-name, making it impossible, for some, to tell who he was. Middlesbrough had the height advantage with their Matt Crooks looking a lot taller than the reported six foot, maybe because Jamie Allen was marking him. Despite the early miss Palmer was putting himself about in midfield and was playing well. Brough were trying to slow the game down and keeping hold, quite literally of Gyökeres, but the ref was letting them get away with this. The Sky Blues kept plugging away trying to open up Middlesbrough and nearly did after fourteen minutes when Palmer found Gyökeres, he turned the man with no name, but their keeper was quick off the line and saved. Then the breakthrough, Dabo got the ball deep on the right, he hit a long ball up field, Gyökeres, had timed his run and got passed the defenders, now he had a run in on goal, his record isn’t great with one-on-ones, but homed in and planted the ball below the keeper to give us the lead. It was the earlies we had scored at home in the league, since Vik scored against Cardiff last September! This force Middlesbrough out of their plan to contain us early on then press. The game wasn’t a bad spectacle. The City defence was, however looking solid with all the players putting in a shift. On the half hour mark Brough got their first shot in on target, it was from outside the area, but straight at Wilson. It was a tight game but City then had a chance to widen the gap when Palmer played in Godden, but his shot was blocked. It was then the turn of Gyökeres, to be set up by Palmer, but his shot was saved by their keeper. The away side upped the pressure as the half was drawing towards a close as Allen blocked a shot that conceded a corner. The corner came in and McFadzean, headed the ball over the bar from close in to concede another corner, this came in and Gyökeres was back helping out, conceding a third corner in a row, this one was cleared without much difficulty. Brough had a shot blocked by Fadz, but the ball fell for Muniz unmarked to the right of goal, but unopposed, he hit the ball first time but thankfully straight at Wilson before half time.

Before the second half Brough made a change off went Whatmore and on came a player that is in contention as City’s most waste of time loan, Chuba Akpom, came here in 2014 and kept nipping back to his parent team Arsenal to play U21 European games, whilst at City he never put in the effort and left after an argument with then manager Steve Pressley, admittedly it would have been Pressley doing most of the shouting.

The second half got underway with the referee’s performance still annoying the home fans, then after 49 minutes Dabo was sliding into a tackle, it looked like he would take the player out, but curled up to avoid the challenge the player went over him and the ref couldn’t wait to book Fankaty to howls of protests. The ref’s last two games in charge of City saw him award two penalties, one at Luton, when it was outside the box and one late on at WBA which even WBA’s manager said was soft. In the next attack Brough fired a cross harmlessly across the box I shouted “penalty”, mocking the ref. It is true to say Brough defenders are terrified of Gyökeres, one incident he ran at the Brough defenders, they couldn’t hold him off, in the end they had to bring him down outside the box, to a great cheer from the City fans. Palmer, took the freekick, Crooks got his head to it, but it knocked him over, the ball went near the half way line with City still on the ball, then the ref blew as Crooks was still recovering, what happened next no one could believe, the ref gave a free kick to Middlesbrough!!! City players protested, they were in possession at the time and should have an uncontested drop ball, but the ref was having none of it, “you don’t know what you’re doing”, sang the home fans. Brough made a double swap, including introducing Ryan Giles out wide, the same Giles that played well for us on loan back in 2020-2021, but MR got rid of because he couldn’t defend. Giles almost had the perfect start with a dangerous cross was inches away from a Brough boot. Their defenders now tried a new tactic to stop Gyökeres, every time he out muscled one of them, they dropped to the ground and won a free kick. Palmer was then booked after it looked like he was fouled first. We were still living on our nerves at a goal up, despite the good defending, one mistake would ruin it all. After 64 minutes a big cheer as a Brough player got booked for tripping Allen as he went past him. Then a chance for Brough but Akpom fired straight at Wilson. City were catching them on the break and playing more directly than I have seen under MR, then one of these balls, saw Gyökeres, chasing the ball their keeper hared out of the box to block, the ball fell to Palmer, some way out but with an open goal, but he failed to hit the target. More anger from the home fans as Gyökeres spun away from a defender and headed towards the box from the left, their seemed to be a trip and Gyökeres went down in the box, “Penalty” we shouted, maybe the foul was outside the box, but nothing from the hopeless ref. MR made his first change, off went Palmer after a good performance and on came the fresh legs of Eccles. Then Waghorn came on for Godden, Waggy’s only goal for City was against Brough. With four to go Eccles, got in a good pass and Gyökeres was after it, into the box but his powerful shot was just wide. Eccles played in another good ball and Gyökeres overpowered the defender but he fell over and won a free kick for the away side. Deep in injury time Bidwell brought down a player wide of the area, a booking for the defender and one for Wilson as well as he was holding on to the ball behind the goal. Their keeper went forward, the free kick came in, it was partially cleared, the keeper headed it sideways, it was cleared again back to their keeper, but Allen got an overhead kick in to clear, and the ref blew for full time. At last a win and the season finally feels like it is underway.

Man of the Match
1st Viktor Gyökeres Too strong to handle
2nd Kasey Palmer Impressed with everything bar his shooting
3rd Callum Doyle Didn’t mention him in the report, but like the rest of the defence played well.

Birmingham City Vs Coventry City

A full car for the shortest trip of the season to former home ground of St Andrews. Its our 7th league game of the season and 6th away. In the ground’s carpark we learn the team news and there aren’t many options for these days, the line-up was in first names Ben in goal, Frankaty, Callum, Kyle, Callum and Jake in defence, Jamie, Gustavo and Ben in midfield with Matty and Viktor up front. St Andrews was the scene of City’s last league victory, with O’Hare’s sunglasses and all, that seems a long way off now. City played in the third strip, the Cathedral Glass front one. Before the game we had a minutes’ silence before God Save the King.

City attacked the far end of the crumbling stadium in the first half, the lower sections still closed because of cracks. City fans were singing to the Blues fans “You’re in our seats”, as the game got under way. Panzo was the first to show heading over from a corner delivered by Hamer. The Sky Blues had started well and had yet been troubled by Birmingham, then a swift break saw a cross come in form our right and Bacuna met it and should have scorer but ballooned it over the crossbar. “We won the league at St Andrews, we won the league at St Andrews, we won the league at this sh**hole, we won the league at St Andrews”, sang the City fans. City were starting to play well, with Dabo having plenty of room, Sheaf and Hamer controlling midfield, it fell to the other midfielder, to have a good chance after opening up their defence Allen fired a shot on goal, to which their keeper got down smartly to save. Minutes later Hamer tried another blast that had a lot of power and forced the keeper to save. Godden then put one over from a Hamer cross. The Sky Blues’ defence was, for once looking solid, but after 20 minutes The Blues fired one wide. At the other end another shot by Hamer was saved, minutes later he had another piledriver and swerved the wrong way and went wide, not to be outdone Allen, found room and hit a shot that also went just wide. It was a good atmosphere in the away end, City playing well and Birmingham struggling to keep the ball on the pitch. There was still danger and Wilson had to get down to stop a header. Late in the half The Blues won a free kick, it was sent around the wall, and it was on target, but Wilson was positioned well for a comfortable save. Half time no goals, first time we prevented a team scoring in the first 45 minutes away from home since West Brom last season.

Birmingham were poor in the first half I expected former City midfielder and now Blues’ manager John Eustace, to fire them up to play better in the 2nd. This proved to be true, and City were struggling to get on the ball. Birmingham were falling over at every opportunity and winning a series of set pieces, but their delivery was really poor. Early in the half, Wilson had to be alert and pulled off a good save from Hogan, with a downwards header. Sheaf went into the book for a clumsy challenge. Both defences were on top Gooden and Gyökeres were working hard but were being contained. Panzo then went into the book for a trip as Birmingham had most of the play. MR then finally made a change, off went Godden and Allen to be replaced by Walker and Palmer. Kasey helped to win more of the ball. City were still looking solid with the wingbacks keeping out crosses. Former City player Eustace then threw on former City player Jutkiewicz. Dabo then picked up a yellow card for hand ball, before a Blues player went into the book. The in the last minute, it looked like Hamer was fouled, on the ground he caught the player, with his boot, twice, trying to get up, the ref showed him his second red card of the season! Down to ten, The Blues went for the throat, McFadzean, somehow got a shot, deflected over his own bar with his head, on the line, before a goal bound effort was brilliantly tipped away by Wilson. City saw out the game for the first clean sheet of the season. Three points from the first six away games, there has been 17 seasons when we have had a worst start. We desperately, need a home game and a win, Middlesbrough in two weeks, reinforcements might be on their way, not signings, but O’Hare and Kelly are getting closer to fitness.

Man of the Match
Four different players got the votes in the car, three of them are
1st Ben Wilson Some important saves and a clean sheet
2nd Frankaty Dabo Best game of the season so far
3rd Jake Bidwell A high level of consistency this season

Luton Town vs Coventry City

With football back, it was a short trip down to Luton. Left at 5.15, after picking up my guest for the drive, we arrived at the ground at 7.15. Going into the ground a steward enquired “find us alright”, I told him I’ve been here on plenty of occasions and this ground had “Character”, he knew what I meant. After entering, going up the steps, over the back of someone’s garden I squeezed in behind the goal. The team was Wilson in goal, Dabo, Rose, McFadzean, Doyle and Bidwell at the back. In midfield we had Hamer, Sheaf and Allen, with Gyökeres and Godden up front. We were faced with a team of basketball players nothing changes in Luton. One wag on Facebook claimed, since our last win we’ve had two Prime Ministers a King and Queen. Before the game we had an immaculate minute’s silence for the late Queen, all we could hear was a dog barking outside, after the minute’s silence the whole ground sung “God save the King”. This is what should of happen on Saturday as well.

With memories of a 5-0 drubbing here last season, that was also midweek, we got the game underway dressed in royal purple. In the first minute a great ball over the top by Godden suddenly sent Gyökeres clear, he steadied himself on the edge of the area before firing wide of the keeper. Luton attacked our end, a cross, cut back by the by line went to Dabo, his clearance was terrible, he played it into the path of Carlton Morris who was unmarked and only had Wilson to beat, which he did. City responded well and attacked the other end, then a Doyle header found Gyökeres forcing a save from their keeper. Luton pressed and looked dangerous, then out of nothing Sheaf played in an incredible pass, half the length of the field, dissecting the defender and laying the ball into the path of Gyökeres, the Big Swed had a great first touch, going pass a player, he drew the keeper out before neatly slotting the ball past him, to level the game, Vik scored one-on-one, but what a ball from Sheaf! Now we were back in the game. Minutes later a long ball was about to be headed by McFadzean, but he got a shove in the back, missed by the ref, Cornick got the ball and with his back to the goal, he was allowed to turn, played in a great ball to Morris, who had raced clear and he nipped the ball past Wilson, 2-1 to the Hatters. We just can’t defend, and I had a feeling it could be another hammering. Luton were buzzing around the box looking for a killer 3rd when Wilson was forced into a save. City were counterattacking well when Bidwell passed to Gyökeres, who had a shot from outside the area, that didn’t quite have enough curl on it to trouble their keeper. Then Rose went down in the box, it was clear he was injured and had to be replaced by Panzo, City were now down to the last five first team defenders. Minutes later there was a clash of heads out on the right wing, after treatment the ref gave us a drop ball, it was played to the right and their player, who was off for treatment stepped back on and stopped the attack, ref booked him for that. Then confusion the ref tried to give us a dropped ball again in the same place, until the players told the hapless official, it was a free kick on the wing for City, “You don’t know what you’re doing.” sang the City fans. By now Luton were already wasting time, taking, on average twenty seconds to take a goal kick and the ref wasn’t even bothering. With the approaching half time, we needed to stay strong and not concede then Hamer lost possession deep in his own half, leading to a Morris shot being blocked. Deep into injury time a deep cross was flicked on by Potts, it hit the foot of the post and we survived.

If Luton didn’t have enough hight and physicality, they threw on Adebayo for the 2nd half a player that gave us plenty of problems last season. Despite their hight advantage City were looking better at the back, Doyle had grown into the game and Panzo had made a real difference. Not only did Luton look like a basketball team they liked to handle the ball as well, normally missed by the ref. The City fans rallied with Twist and Shout, and cries of “shoot” any time a City player got near the goal. City were working hard in midfield, with Sheaf looking cool, Allen working and trying in vain to win headers against their giants, and Hamer, putting in some clever passes. City were playing better and looking dangerous going forward, Allen forced the keeper into a great save, tipping the ball over the bar. City set up another attack, Bidwell had a shot blocked it fell to Allen, with the keeper out of the way, but somehow a Luton defender blocked his goal bound effort. Meanwhile the Luton fans were singing on how they made the Watford fans run, once, which is like me being proud of once startling a cat. On the hour mark, another great build up involving Panzo to Dabo, Dabo to Allen, Allen to Gyökeres, in the box, Vik laid it back, but the ball was blocked it fell to Hamer, well out the box he took one touch and the away fans shouted “SHOOT”, I said, “Stop telling him to shoot”, then Gus, unleashed a incredible shot from outside the area, and the ball curled into the top left hand corner, mayhem in the away end, fans when flying, I had skin taken off my shin, but what an incredible goal. It could now go either way. Sheaf was then booked for a tackle and no one could have any complaints about that. Slowly Luton were getting back on top as we needed another change, maybe Palmer for Allen? Luton threw on another couple of giants. They won a couple of corners, one of them was a result of a brave block by McFadzean, but the Luton players were convinced it was handball. City were defending a lot better. Then with two minutes of normal time left Gyökeres was brought down, to some it looked a bad foul, but the ref awarded a throw in, then promptly booked a Luton player, for, I guess was descent, what for, I never know. Not long after the ref blew for full time to signal a hard-earned point.

After, the stewards, blocked the road we needed to get down, some were not happy, one fan, in his forties was complaining, he had his son with him and needed to get going, I pointed to the man and told the chief steward “I’m his son”, much to the amusement of the official. Chatting to a Luton fan waiting for the barrier to be moved, I asked the question, I always ask at Kenilworth Road, “Are you getting a new ground then?” He assured me they are soon, but they always say that. Then chatting to another steward, she was from East London, thought like me Watford fans are very quiet, she worked there, she, unlike me was very anti King Charles and Camilla. Then finally they let us out and I got home a 11.30 after a good run back.

Man of the match
1st Ben Sheaf He’s here, he’s there and he can pass as well
2nd John Panzo Helped to sort out the defence
3rd Gustavo Hamer What a goal!

Norwich City vs Coventry City


This was my 12th visit to Carrow Road over the years, after a good three hour trip we arrived, after a swift pint with Rob and the London Supporters’ Group, I had a coffee before going to the ground on a very warm day. The Canaries had a frightening forward line of Pukki, Cantwell and Sergeant, meanwhile MR decided on the shock decision to play Walker, up front on his own. The other players were Wilson in goal, Dabo, Doyle, McFadzean, Rose and Bidwell at the back, Allen, Hamer, Palmer and Sheaf in midfield. There was a big rumour that there was a dust-up between Gyökeres and Godden in training.

This was always going to be a difficult game and reminded me a lot like Fulham away last season. The home side looked dangerous, and another good player Aaron Ramsey put one wide, before Pukki had one blocked and Wilson pulled off a good save from Cantwell. After the good start, City got going a bit when Bidwell swung in a cross, and Walker headed one wide. With City holding the home side, suddenly it went wrong, Hamer, of all players lost the ball in a dangerous area, Nunez robbed him and played in Pukki, the big forward raced into the area and beat Wilson to give them the lead. City responded fairly well when Palmer picked out Walker who fired wide. At the other end Ramsey fired wide for them. Wilson then saved well against Sergeant. With City not seemingly in the game, a chance came when Walker stretched to intercept a pass, Dabo got the ball and took off down the wing, he centred it for Walker who had made it into the area, but the ball was cut out for a corner. Hamer swung in a corner, their keeper lost the ball it fell to McFadzean who brilliantly volleyed it back into the net, mass celebration in the away section, but seconds later we saw it was ruled out for offside. Seeing the highlights, the ball flew over Walkers’ head who was offside, but he didn’t touch the ball and he didn’t block any Norwich player, the decision was made by the linesman who couldn’t see that Walker didn’t block the keeper. Later on a Norwich player was booked for a bad foul on Allen, with the half nearing the end, one thing we needed was not to concede again, then in injury time City lost possession from a throw-in Norwich did a swift break, Ramsey made it into the area, and rolled the ball to Sergeant who had an easy finish. It could have got a lot worse seconds later when Pukki played in Sergeant, he forced a good save from Wilson and Ramsey put the follow up wide. Half time 2-0 to Norwich.

Thankfully MR made a change in the 2nd half as Gyökeres came on for Palmer. The change made an immediate impact, as Walker played Gyökeres through, one-on-one with the keeper, but the keeper spread himself and pulled off a save. A minute later Dabo slid in with a brilliant crunching tackle to rob a player, he got up and blasted a shot just wide. Gyökeres was looking far more threatening and giving the Norwich players something to think about. The changes were then made Tavares replaced Walker and Godden replaced Rose. Gyökeres fired one wide. Norwich were coping with the attacks and could have gone further in front when Doyle was beaten for pace, but the defender tracked back and won the ball to prevent the danger. Then the great song of defiance from the Sky-Blue Army as “Twist and Shout” was blasted out from the visitors’ section for the rest of the game. Then with ten to go the sucker-punch a brilliant ball by Cantwell, sent Sergeant through, he got clear, but McFadzean got back and poked the ball away from him in the area, but the ball went square, substitute Dowell raced in unmarked to make it three. Dowell saluted Sergeant, a trade-mark celebration when that player is involved, despite the fact you shouldn’t salute NCOs or only salute when wearing a hat, but the ref refused to rule the goal out for this, clutching a straws. Panzo replaced Doyle at the back. Wilson had to save again to prevent them making it four, in injury time. Finally the ref blew for full time.

On the way back to the coach, a couple of Norwich fans were saying loudly, so the Cov fans could hear how impressed they were with the Sky Blue support, being the best fans at Carrow Road this season and “They sung their hearts out”. This left us to crawl through Norwich, getting home at 9.30.

Man of the Match
1st Ben Wilson No chance with the goals, but pulled off some good saves
2nd Frankaty Dabo Looked better going forward
3rd Viktor Gyökeres Should have started

Hull City Vs Coventry City

A long drive up to Hull, a place we have only lost once in since the 1960’s, I hate playing teams with that type of record. We were still reeling from the sale of Hyam in the week. We were in a café chatting to a couple of City fans about the League Two days, when the team was announced, in goal Moore, Dabo, Rose, McFadzean, Panzo and Bidwell at the back. Palmer, Sheaf and Allen in midfield with Gyökeres and Godden up front.

It had been two weeks since our last game, so how would we start? Not as well as Hull, was the answer. The Tigers dominated the first ten minutes, attacking the end we were in. Then it was no surprise when they took the lead, a shot was fired across Moor, he got fingers to it but at the far post Estupinan slid in to give the home side the lead. The Sky Blues started to get into the game, as Allen was again covering the pitch, in attempt to get us going. Palmer had an effort put wide. Palmer was now also getting into the game, and he set up Godden for an effort on target. Then we were on our feet as Godden headed it home, but it was ruled out for offside. It was getting better all the time for City and when a Hull player went down, City had a chance to break, but the ref pulled the game back, despite being booed by some City fans it was obvious the player, Covil, was injured, he went on and Cannon was fired from the bench to replace him. The ball and most things seem to be going Hull’s way including the decisions of the officials. Another bad decision went against us, “Just give us something”, I shouted to the ref. I am not claiming credit, but minutes later, even from the far end, we could see Palmer, being hacked down in the area and a penalty. Godden stepped forward and we were level. It was now mostly Cov, as we pushed Hull back. It was a good atmosphere in the large away end Hull left for us and for a mere £20 a ticket, no one could argue. Moore, at our end made a save and kicked it out to Gyökeres, whose shot was blocked. Heading to half time and again City shot themselves in the foot. A swerving cross came in and Moore went for it, it spilled out of his arms hit Estupinan and rolled into the back of the net, a very jammy goal, but Moore was at fault again. Half time most fans were down about the game.

The Sky Blues now attacking the away end, as finally one of their players went into the book. Rose and Allen had a shots blocked before Godden put one over. Then typical of City, at the other end a move saw Estupinan score again from very close range, for his hat trick. Now Hull looked in control and could run away with the game as Rose was booked. City soon were in the ascendancy and had a change when the ball fell to Dabo, he needed to hit it first time on the volley but showed why he has never scored by dithering and the chance was gone. MR made a triple chance, off went Dabo, Panzo and Palmer, on came Eccles, Doyle and Waghorn. Waggy made an immediate impact by organising the attacking. City were unlucky not to get back into the game when the ball fell to Bidwell, he did hit it first time, but it forced a good save from their keeper. The Tigers were also getting away with a lot of time wasting and the ref was letting them do it. Then Waghorn, crossed for Rose to head on target. From that corner, Waghorn swung it in, it was flicked on by Gyökeres, the keeper got a touch but Godden was at the far post to nod it home for 2-3. It was now all City and Hull were falling over at every opportunity to waste time. Gyökeres had a shot save as City pushed forward. Finally a Hull player went into the book for shirt tugging and holding. Fadz was then shown the yellow card, no arguments with that. MR went for broke by taking off the captain and throwing on Walker. Minutes later, a break at the other end, Longman had a one on one with Moore, it looked like 4-2, but somehow, he fired wide. More pretending to be injured as a Hull player fell over and stayed there, a City player got to him, said something and the player jumped up to his feet to argue the point, the ref was on hand and somehow he missed the player feigning an injury. Waghorn then drilled a shot wide. In injury time the ref finally booked their keeper for time wasting, totally pointless time to book him then, a card ten minutes earlier would have been better. So City fell to a defeat, roll on Wednesday and the return home.

Man of the Match
1st Jamie Allen: Now this is getting silly, I’ve voted him MotM on each occasion now!
2nd Kasey Palmer: Grew into the game, could be a good signing
3rd Matty Godden: Two goals, looked dangerous throughout.

Millwall vs Coventry City

The original plan was to make our way down to London on the train, as normal, but the train strike scuppered that, so on to the coach. It was another very hot day, I can’t remember it ever being this hot for a league game, thankfully our double-decker was air conditioned. On the way the news broke that our Tuesday home game against Wigan was called off. After the three-hour trip through London, we arrived at Millwall and felt the heat. For the first time since I have visited The Den we had the lower tier at the away end. The team was announced and not surprisingly mass changes from the Cup defeat at home, in Burton, in midweek. In goal was Moore, with Dabo, Panzo, McFadzean, Rose and Bidwell, in midfield we had Allen, Sheaf and Hamer, with Gyökeres and Godden, up front.

I was worried about a slow start, because of the lack of games. The game started as we attacked the far end. We won an early corner, Hamer, played it in, Bidwell, flicked it on and McFadzean was there to bang it home with his head, what a start! City were buzzing as Hamer had a shot blocked. Sheaf was controlling midfield as Millwall couldn’t get into the game. The Lions got into the game a bit more, but City were still dominating in the sunshine. Then after 18 minutes Shackleton dived in on Hamer, in a really bad tackle, the Millwall player picked up a yellow card, when some referees might have given a red. A drinks break was then called because of the heat. City were still buzzing when Allen found Gyökeres, in the box, he twisted and turned and somehow got a shot on target, which the keeper kept out. City still flowing when Bidwell got down the wing and swung in a great cross, Godden got on the end of it and directed it back past The Lions’ keeper, for a great goal and two-nil. Minutes later a Millwall player went down in the area, but thankfully the ref saw it as a dive and booked the player. It looked like City could runaway with the game, we were well on top. Then out of nothing a real howler as a freekick came in, Moore raced off his line and got nowhere near the ball, Scott Malone, got to it first and headed it from the edge of the area into the goal. Now, all of the sudden, Millwall were back into the game and the home fans were back up for it. Hamer picked up a yellow card. Then Millwall broke and made it into the area, Moore pulled off a good save, and directed the but the ball fell to Wallace, who had no keeper to beat, but somehow the ball was blocked, and the danger was cleared. City fans were singing well, one tune was in praise of Panzo, to the tune of D.I.S.C.O. by Ottowan. “P.A.N.Zee.O.” I was insisting it should be Zed and not Zee, but the latter does scan with the song. We got to halftime still with a lead.

The Sky Blues were attacking our end in the 2nd half, which thankfully was undercover. We started well Gyökeres, was looking unplayable and he seemed to have stepped up a level from even last season, it is vital we keep him. Godden then set up Gyökeres, after some great football but his shot was blocked. Even Dabo had a shot on target, as City were looking to regain a two-goal advantage. Then at the other end a long-range shot was touched on the post by Moore, unfortunately the only player to react was Honeyman who scored unopposed. At our end Gyökeres had another shot blocked, another good move saw City swarming around the box, the ball dropped outside the area and Hamer left it for McFadzean to blast a shot in that was turned over the bar by The Millwall keeper. From this corner Panzo headed against the bar. The ball came out to Hyam who blasted a shot back in, a massive cry for handball, ignored by the ref and Millwall survived. City still looking the more likely, but The Lions could still catch us out. Two players went into the book one from each side, with Bidwell picking up a yellow, despite the card the defender, was arguably having his best game for us. Then another turning point, Millwall tried to break from an attack and Hamer slid in for a clumsy foul, his second yellow card and he was off. He could be suspended for a game or for two weeks, depending on when we next play. No subs from MR, but it didn’t look like we had ten players. Into the last ten and Allen found Gyökeres, whose shot was saved by their keeper. Then Bidwell set up Allen for a crack on goal. The sucker-punch came next as Millwall, got an undeserved goal to give them the lead. Tavares and Eccles came on for Panzo and Godden. They couldn’t change the result and we had a defeat.

A long journey out of London, got home just after 9.

Man of the match
A hard choice, I will go with the votes
1st Jamie Allen: Lively
2nd Ben Sheaf Was everywhere
3rd Viktor Gyökeres Unplayable

Stoke City vs Coventry City

Left my house at 8.45 for the trip to Stoke, thankfully it wasn’t a long trip. Using the M6 Toll to avoid a bridge out on the M6 we arrived in good time, for my first trip to this ground for 13 years! The last line-up of a season where we could end anywhere between 9th and 16th was, in goal Wilson with Eccles coming into the wing-back role, along with Maatsen, whose loan is up and it may be his last game for us. The back three were McFadzean, Hyam and Clarke-Salter, whose loan is also up, but rumours are we will buy him in the summer. No Hamer even on the bench, but he was with the squad, still one booking away from a ban. In midfield were Allen, O’Hare, Kelly and Shipley, the latter maybe for the last time and up front was Gyökeres. Stoke came out with the PA announcing them as “The Mighty Potters”, Mighty? They are finishing mid table, more like mediocre. Stoke had players called Fox and Sparrow in their team, I bet they are kept apart in the dressing room.

Yet another packed-out away end. Stoke put some pressure on in the opening minutes, but no trouble for the defenders. Soon City took over and started to dominate the game. City were creating openings and it only looked a matter of time. It then happened in the 14th minute, Allen slid a ball through and Gyökeres, ran off the back of the defenders and beat the keeper for his 20th league goal as a City player. It was just what City deserved. Gyökeres then went close with another shot. Allen, then played in Shipley, the keeper was of his line, so Shippers tried a lob, it only just missed the far post. With City flowing and Stoke looking awful, there was concerns when Eccles went down, he needed treatment and was taken off on a stretcher. Kane came on to replace him. Despite the setback The Sky Blues kept up the pressure as Stoke were hanging on. Late on Maatsen found O’Hare and turn and fired a shot on target from outside the area, forcing a good save from their keeper. Minutes later Shipley blasted in a shot that the keeper also had to keep out. Then from absolutely nowhere, Stoke launched a quick counter attack and Clucas was left totally unmarked to level, typical of our season. Half time all level.

Stoke were looking better in the 2nd half, but soon City weathered the pressure and started to press forward again, O’Hare played in Shipley, whose shot from a narrow angle was saved. Kelly then had a shot save, after a good cross from Kane, one of several he put in. On the 69th minute the first sub on came Jones and off went Shipley, Jordan looked quite emotional as he left the field, was this his last game for us? The Sky Blues were still on top when a great Maatsen cross was met by Gyökeres, but he couldn’t get enough contact on it to send it home. Godden then came on for O’Hare. It was then Godden’s turn to put in a cross, Maatsen, headed it beyond the keeper but somehow a defender cleared it off the line with his heel. The game fizzled out and City finished 12th, our highest finish for 16 years.

The team came to applaud the away fans after the game, then the players pushed Shipley to the front, the guy was almost in tears, so were we, we knew then this was his goodbye. After singing the players names, we left hoping we can keep our prise players. Got home, had something to eat and raced off to Brum to see Blondie, a very long but enjoyable day.

Man of the Match
1st Jordan Shipley: Buy Shippers, thanks for all the goals
2nd Jamie Allen: Set up a chances
3rd Viktor Gyökeres: Lets lock him up so no one can sign him

Coventry City vs Huddersfield Town

Final home game of a great season and we were playing Huddersfield a team with a chance of automatic promotion. Earlier in the season we totally outplayed a poor Town side but only could draw at their place. Another big crowd turned up to see Wilson in goal, Kane, McFadzean, Rose, Hyam and Bidwell at the back. Hamer, Allen and O’Hare in midfield, with Waghorn and Gyökeres up top.

The Sky Blues started the stronger and after eight minutes carved open the away defence, the ball came in from the right, Gyökeres had a chance but played it back to Waghorn, it looked a certain 2nd goal of the season for the forward, but somehow, he put it wide, a corner was awarded as their keeper saved it, but he should have been given no chance. Hyam then put it wide from a following corner. City kept up the pressure as Hamer headed to Gyökeres and he force a save from the keeper. It was all City and Town were looking poor, the ref after 15 minutes waved at their keeper to take the goal kicks quicker. The Sky Blues kept up the pressure, just needing a goal to take a deserved lead. Then Gyökeres set up O’Hare with a great chance, but he put it wide, it was looking like one of those days again. Out of nothing Town had a chance as Rhodes forced Wilson into his first save. Minutes later, from a corner a great chance as Waghorn headed on to Hyam could only head straight at the keeper. Allen then also tested the keeper as it was still one-way. Then near the end of the half, the story of the season, Toffolo went forward and curled a great shot around and past Wilson to give them an undeserved lead. A couple of chances before half time before City went into the break at a goal down.

Second half saw the outstanding Hamer force the keeper into a save. Just after the hour mark another typical flowing City attack saw the ball fall to O’Hare, he contacted well but the keeper pulled off another good save. Hamer then decided to hit one from 35-yards out, it swerved, and the keeper was forced to push it away. With twenty to go MR made the changes, off went Waghorn, after another poor performance, on came Tavares, Kane was replaced by Eccles. Wilson then was called into action to keep them out in a more even 2nd half. Jones replaced Hamer. Minutes later a cross into our box was met by Rose, but his header was goal bound, Wilson pulled off a great save, only for the ball to head towards O’Brien, Wilson raced out and made contact with the ball, but the player as well and a penalty was given. Anjorin just about beat Wilson from the spot. City kept up the pressure looking for a way back in, as in one attack Gyökeres raced on, with Jones in acres of space, decided to shoot making it an easy save. Town were defending well, in a frustrating last home game. Then in the last minute, Jones played in O’Hare, he squared it to Gyökeres, who scored. City piled on the pressure but couldn’t force an equaliser.

Man of the Match
1st Gustavo Hamer: Hope he is here next season
2nd Viktor Gyökeres: Need to keep him as well
3rd Callum O’Hare: The third of the big three, will they be here next season?

West Bromwich Albion vs Coventry City

For St George’s Day we decided to take the train to The Hawthorns. It was the first time I’ve been on the train to this ground since Peter Ndlovu scored in a memorable cup win here, since then they had built a new station closer to the ground. After a drink in Brum we arrived at the home of the Baggies. Normally when we come here in the league, they are the better side pushing for promotion, but not now, many City fans fancied our chances. First news and a shock as Wilson replaced Moore in goal. The rest of the team was Kane, Rose, McFadzean (100th league game for us), Hyam and Maatsen at the back. Sheaf, Hamer, O’Hare and Allen in midfield with Gyökeres, up front.

Early on Wilson slipped, causing pressure but the defenders played some good passing to see out any danger. Andy Carrol is The Baggies most famous player at the moment, but the former star, on massive wages isn’t a patch on Gyökeres, as the pony-tail t*** kept falling over and was in the back pocket of McFadzean throughout the game. Looking over to the stand on our left, it has a massive picture of Cyrille Regis up. At the far end a swift move saw Gyökeres having a shot blocked. Another real swift counterattack, saw O’Hare race up field, he played in Allen who fired just wide of the far post. It wasn’t a great game with both defences on top, or both attacks failing. Then a long ball saw Grant escape from McFadzean, he had a run-in with the back-peddling Wilson, with Fadz in hot pursuit, he waited too late and tried to chip the keeper only spooning the ball into his hands. That was half time, no shots from either side, it looked end-of-the-season stuff.

The Sky Blues attacked the away end in the second half, but The Baggies looked brighter, despite that many older City fans, like me were thinking along the lines of the worst WBA side we have ever seen. First effort on goal came when Clarke fired in a header that Wilson did well to get to. Grant then missed with a diving header. City were struggling to get forward, as O’Hare was particularly bad today, with a poor first touch and decision making, I hoped Premier League scouts were here to see him. MR decided to take O’Hare off and replace him with Waghorn. The forward’s more physical presents got City further up the pitch. Allen then had a chance with a header from a Maatsen cross, but fired over, maybe the last player you would want to have a headed chance. With 15 to go City won a free kick close to goal, Waghorn took it but put it just wide. Gyökeres then had a chance getting into the box his left foot shot was saved by Button in the Albion goal, Gyökeres got the ball back and passed to Sheaf on the edge of the box, the midfielder side-stepped two defenders before firing at the keeper. Kelly came on for Hamer as we entered the last ten minutes. The sub set up Gyökeres for a shot on target as City were looking the more likely to win. A couple of shots going wide at each end we entered “Robins’ Time”, but for once it seemed to backfire as an Albion player went down in the box and the ref surprised us by giving them a pen. Even Baggies boss Bruce said it was soft. This was deep into injury time, and it had been quite a few years since a City keeper saved a penalty. Up stepped Grant, going for the right-hand corner, but Wilson guessed right to pull off a great save, the ref blew for full time. A defeat would have been harsh. Wilson name was sung, on leaving the ground.
Man of the Match
1st Ben Wilson: Saved a penalty
2nd Ben Sheaf: Played well
3rd Ben McFadzean Ok he’s not called Ben, kept Carrol in his back pocket.

Birmingham City vs Coventry City

It was Good Friday and thankfully with the heavy reported traffic it was the shortest trip of the season, to a ground that has a Coventry Road running to it. Things have changed over the years, this ground, was our home for two years, we have drawn our last five games against the Blues, but this is the first time since 1985 that we have travelled up the A45 as significantly the better side. The Blues would be in a mighty scrap to stay up if Derby and Reading didn’t have their points deduction. After the highs of Fulham, we feared “After the Lord Mayor’s Show”, performance against an anti-football team. MR announced an unchanged side which was Moore, Maatsen, Bidwell, Hyam, Rose, Dabo, Allen, Hamer, O’Hare, Sheaf and Gyökeres. The bench was stronger, only one keeper this time with Jones, McFadzean and Kelly returning.

A warm day in Brum as we attacked the far end in the first half. Birmingham won an early corner and had the early play, Bacunca left his foot in on Maatsen and the ref, who I thought had a good game, booked the forward. City’s first chance fell to Gyökeres who forced the Blues third choice keeper, 1st choice injured, 2nd choice, bypast by the younger man, to make a save after being set up by Dabo. The fans were in good voice singing “We won the league at St Andrews”, a song sung about Highfield Road by Forest fans. This was followed by the far better “St Andrew’s is falling down”, as in “London Bridge is falling down. The lower tiers of two of the stands has been left unoccupied because of safety concerns. The Blues main weapon is their torpedo-like long throws, one of these caused concern at the back and Bidwell opted for safety first by knocking the ball out for a corner, Bacuna flung it in, and Pedersen rose to head it home to give the home side the lead. The home side started to take time over throw-ins, but the ref called their captain over to warn them of time wasting. Blues had a shot blocked as they were playing better than many had predicted. At the other end Hyam had a couple of efforts blocked. City won a corner, and a Hamer inswinger brushed the crossbar. At the away end in the Gill Merrick Stand, City went for row z in the clearance which allowed Roberts to launch one of his special throws, it was long, and former loan player Gardner beat everyone to the ball to make it two nil. It was looking like being a long day. With five to go Roberts hacked down Gyökeres and picked up a booking, City had a free kick near the penalty area. Hamer delivered it to the far post where Rose headed across goal, Sheaf raced in to knock the ball high into the net to reduce the two-goal lead, that lasted for just over a minute. Allen then got his legs in a tangle and brought down Gardner, the Blues had a dangerous freekick, but they put it wide. At the other end Gyökeres set up Hamer for a shot straight at their keeper. Deep in 1st half injury time City won a corner, surely we can’t score from this? Before anyone could say “Stop calling me Shirley”, Hamer bent another corner in and Sheaf rose to incredibly level the game, what a comeback. Half time came with “He’s here” song sung about Sheaf.

Half time entertainment was the classic, allow a fans on to the field to put the ball in the net to win prizes. One fan scored from the penalty spot, the edge of the area and further out winning a couple of tickets for an executive box for a game, then he had the option to score from the halfway line to win a season ticket, I strongly advised him not too, as Blues are a terrible side, he was sensible a refused a chance of a season ticket.

2nd half City attacked the away end. Bidwell fired in a cross that Allen headed wide as City started better. Birmingham went close at the other end, but all they had that looked dangerous was set pieces and that throw in. Sheaf had a shot go wide at our end as we were starting to find more room. On the hour mark Dabo went down and was replaced by Kane. Gyökeres had a shot blocked. City saw out a couple of corners before winning one at our end. Hamer took it, and for the 2nd game in a row Rose planted the ball into the net to give us the lead. According to the Football League Show, this is the first time a game in the ELF has seen five headed goals, this season! City now in full flow as Gyökeres set up Maatsen for a shot. Into the last eight minutes and Hamer, one booking away from a three-game ban was withdrawn and McFadzean came in to help with the high balls. City were coping better with corners now and defended a couple well. With three minutes left, Maatsen was replaced by Waghorn, how many teams in the league, winning away, take off a defender for a forward? They threw on former City forward Jutkiewicz. In the last minute of normal time, a great move, Waghorn, passed to Gyökeres, Waggy kept running, Gyökeres, passed to O’Hare, Callum played in the charging Waghorn, who had ran clear of the defence, with only the keeper to beat, the keeper came out well to block, the ball fell to Gyökeres with an open goal, but somehow a defender blocked the ball, the ball fell to O’Hare to ram it home for all three points. We were loving this. O’Hare emerged from the celebrations sporting a pair of sunglasses, looking very cool. “Birmingham get battered everywhere they go”, we sang. Everyone was checking the other results, all of a sudden City were three points from the Play Offs and Birmingham dropped into the bottom three, well they would be if Derby and Reading had their points back.

A nice short trip home and we had CWR on from the car park. Got home the same time I would from work.

Man of the Match
1st Ben Sheaf: Two goals at last
2nd Gustavo Hamer: Three assists and no booking
3rd Jamie Allen: Sheaf is everywhere, but were he isn’t you find Allen.

Coventry City Vs Blackburn Rovers


Back to football after the international break and on a very cold but sometimes quite warm Saturday we faced Rovers. The Sky Blues lined up was in alphabetical order, Allen, Bidwell, Dabo, Godden, Gyökeres, Hamer, Hyam, Maatsen, Moore, O’Hare and Rose. Last time Rovers played us at “home” was at St Andrews and City lost 4-0.

The Sky Blues started the better and after four minutes a great ball saw Godden race clear, he seemed to have his heels clipped, the ref, to everyone’s amazement waved play-on. The crowd were incensed, it looked a clear trip, which would have meant a red card as well, but we have had, all season refs, not giving us penalties. Fired up by this the crowd sung “you’re not fit to referee”. Then another chance, it fell to Hamer just outside the box, he belted it and it smacked into a Rovers’ defender and was cleared. Minutes later Godden sprung O’Hare for a run, he only had one player to beat, he tried to go round to his right, but the player, Pickering, got a toe on the ball, only to deflect it and see it roll past his own keeper to give City the lead. The CBS was bouncing. Then the ref went to the touchline, we all hoped he was being subbed, but he was just changing his earpiece, maybe he had Capital Radio and wanted Absolute instead, he certainly wasn’t paying attention to the game. Rovers, meanwhile, still looked dangerous on the counterattack and soon had their first shot on target, but no trouble for Moore. The Sky Blues were looking the better side and the one most likely to score next. O’Hare had an effort saved. Rovers are a big side and they tried their best to foul the City players. Then Hamer, intercepted the ball on the edge of the area and his curling shot hit the post. Allen was a bundle of energy in midfield, winning possession, breaking up attacks and set us on forward forages, he is a player most would have thought he would be sold last summer. Rovers had a panic when their keeper ventured wide for the ball allowing Godden to challenge him, the ball went out for a throw in and City had a chance without the keeper in goal, but the custodian stayed down and the ref fell for it, not allowing City to take a quick throw in. The Sky Blues kept up the attacks as some Rovers fans sung “Mowbrary sort it out”. City won a free kick when Gyökeres was brought down, finally earning a booking for one of them. Hamer took the kick stinging the palms of their keeper. Rovers pushed forward in the last minutes of the half, they had a great chance, but Bidwell got in a great block to deny a shot on goal. City ended the half with a deserved lead.

Rovers made two subs at half time, on came Bradley Dack and straight from World Cup unsuccessful qualifying duties for Chile, Ben Bereton Diaz, he replaced former City loanee Ryan Giles.

Sixteen seconds into the start Dack got on the end of the cross and amazingly Rovers were level. Rovers now were in charge as City were struggling to get out of our half. Slowly City weathered the storm as Gallagher went into the book, joining his manager and Mark Robins from the first half. It was a feisty and frenetic game that the ref was controlling poorly. Diaz then went into the book for fouling Allen, “pick on someone your own size”, I shouted. Diaz was looking dangerous and put one into the side netting. Another booking occurred when Allen on the floor was pushed back down, some refs might have shown a red, in the protests O’Hare was shoved over but no punishment. Maatsen then went into the book but no complaints about that. Their defender Wharton went into the book for fouling Gyökeres, and the forward followed for protesting about the amount of fouling on him. With eight minutes to go, Rovers won a corner, it came in and Wharton planted a header past Moore, to seemingly win it for them. We were amazed MR had yet to bring on a sub. Maatsen then had a shot that swerved the wrong way. City kept up the pressure as Blackburn started to waste time. Godden went past Wharton and the defender brought him down, normally this would mean a yellow, but the ref didn’t fancy sending anyone off today. On the 90th minute mark, Tavares came on replacing Bidwell. Into six minutes and now serial time wasting by Rovers, players kept going down with cramp and even their keeper dived again, pretending he was injured. Gyökeres had a shot block. I make sure I stopped my watch for each hold up, as the time ticked past six minutes added on, I looked at my watch and there was 25 seconds left. Tavares, got the ball on the edge of the area, kept possession, tried to go to the by-line, but no room, so he knocked it back to Dabo, the wingback hit a cross to the far post were Gyökeres flung himself at the ball with a great diving header and parity. Mad scenes all around the home section, City had snatched the 10th result in injury time. Gyökeres was tapping his wrist, as to say “what time is it?”. That was that, a deserved point.

Man of the Match
1st Jake Bidwell Looks better at the back
2nd Jamie Allen Ran his socks off
3rd Gustavo Hamer Just class.

Derby County vs Coventry City

An early kick-off for this game, but with Derby only being 50 miles away no problems. This was my 16th visit to Derby, including three trips to the old Baseball Ground resulting in one win previously. It was a warm day as we joined another sell out away crowd. The team led us to ponder about a possible change in the formation, but it was still five at the back. In goal was Moore, with Bidwell making a surprise return from injury at wingback with Dabo on the other side, at the back was Clarke-Salter, Hyam and Sheaf, with Hamer, Allen, Shipley and O’Hare in midfield and Godden up front. Robins was back on the touchline. County needed the points more than us, otherwise they could really start to be cut adrift. The ground had a strong police showing as we had trouble at the home game and Derby had become the team some younger fans pretend they hate.

The game started off with Derby winning three corners in succession at our end. After seeing off that early pressure, City started to get forward. After 9 minutes a chance after a Sky Blue corner was cleared, it came back in, a Derby defender missed timed a header that went back, Godden had sneaked in and got his toe to the ball but former City keeper Ryan Allsopp was out quickly to block. Then Clarke-Salter went down with an injury, the last thing we needed was an injury to a centre back. He went off and on came Maatsen, Bidwell switch to play at the back. The next attack saw Derby move forward and Ravel Morrison fired in a shot from an angle that Moore did well to get a hand to and tip it over. City blocked a shot before Godden had a shot of his own blocked. It was a good atmosphere in the ground, but I refused to sing about having a party when Derby go bust. City’s makeshift defence were coping well, but came close to conceding when a cross came in but Lawrence could only direct a header straight at Moore. Bidwell then went into the book for bringing down a player that went past him. Ebiowei then went on a dangerous run into the box before going down, the ref waved away a penalty appeal but should have booked him for diving. Then after 28 minutes a City attack, Godden, found O’Hare, O’Hare volleyed back to Godden, Godden knocked it up for O’Hare, Callum, headed it into the path of Godden and Matty found the bottom corner, what a goal! It was worthy of world class players in the top leagues. Near me many people were falling over as many were standing on the steps. O’Hare had a shot blocked as we sung “Que, sera, sera, whatever will be, will be, you’re going to Forest Green”. O’Hare then had a header saved as City were looking on top. The half ended and everything was looking good.

Second half saw City attacking our end. Dabo soon was in the book, the resulting free kick saw Lawrence head just over. Ebiowei caused some more problems, but his shot was saved by Moore. City had a couple of shots saved as Derby were getting back into the game. After an hour Gyökeres replaced Shipley. Straight away a Derby player went down in the area after a foul by Sheaf, opinion was divided over the award. Hamer was booked for descent before Lawrence blasted the penalty past Moore to level the game up. A great chance to bounce back and Gyökeres showed pace and strength to get past some defenders, to only face Allsopp but he blasted over. Waghorn then came on for a limping O’Hare. Waggy was well received by the Derby fans, as he played their last season. We had a dream of him scoring the winner in injury time. City then won a corner and it fell to Hyam, who tried a clever flick but no trouble for Allsopp. Hamer had a shot saved as the game could go either way. With nine to go a great chance as Godden received the ball and played in Gyökeres in lots of space, he advanced with only the keeper to beat but he saved well with his foot. Late into the game Derby won a free kick near the edge of the box, Lawrence bent a kick over the wall forcing a save from Moore. A minute later Hamer was pulled back for a hand ball. This resulted in another free kick, again the free kick got past the wall for Moore to save the kick. Dabo was a bit lucky to stay on the pitch with a foul. City headed onto our own post before injury time came around. No dramas in that time and we accepted a point.

Man of the match
1st Simon Moore: Several good saves
2nd Matty Godden: Good goal and linked well
3rd Jake Bidwell Played well at the back

Coventry City vs Sheffield United

Another day, another home game, this time against Sheffield United and a 21,000 plus crowd turned up on Legends Day. Two were missing, Mark Robins and assistant Adrian Viveash, both down with Covid-19 so coach Denis Lawrence was in charge. The Blades were in 5th place and in form only conceding 4 goals in the last 12 games, so a tough test was on. The line up was former Blades keeper Moore in goal with Dabo back for a start, Clarke-Salter, McFadzean (a player that came through their academy) and Rose, with Maatsen the other wing back. Allen and Hamer in the deeper position with O’Hare more forward and Godden and Gyökeres up front. In charge of United was a very Yorkshire sounding Paul Heckinbottom, bye-eck lad. United warmed up in front of their fans, until our team came out and told them, that is our end to warm up in and they had to move.

It was a good start for City when O’Hare found Godden who shot straight at their keeper. At the other end they had a shot blocked. Then a good ball in was aimed towards Billy Sharp, but Clarke-Salter, got a touch on it to prevent the goal machine reaching the ball. United won a throw level with our penalty area, from somewhere they produced a black towel to dry the ball and a long throw came in. It was flicked to the far post, knocked back to the near post, crossed again to the far post where Berge gobbled up a header and City conceded first again. Smoke bombs in the away end from the fans that were watching Premiership football last season. I could see the whole season fading out. United took their time getting back to the centre circle before the game restarted. A good response as Maatsen had a shot blocked. Minutes after the goal Rose launched an uncharacteristic long ball down the field and like Tuesday night a defender totally missed it, Gyökeres suddenly raced through one-on-one, “He’s got to score, he’s got to score”, I said and he did, City level everyone back on their feet. I posted on Facebook “Dare to dream a goal in each half at home”. United then went wide from a corner, in a highly entertaining game. City were getting the upper hand when Gyökeres was played in on the left of the area his shot was pushed away by Fotheringham in the United goal, a good save. Fadz went close from a corner set up by Hamer. The Brazilian and Allen were now taking control of midfield, with Jamie popping up everywhere. Then with five to go, Allen goes for a tackle the ball goes back to Moore, he hesitated before he picked up the ball, back pass, said the referee. The referee, who I admit was one of the worst of the season was surrounded, but he gave the ruling. The last one I remember being given was years back at Barnsley when McSheffrey back passed from the halfway line at Barnsley, when it was a tackle. It took some time to organise the wall on the goal line, only Allen wasn’t in the wall, the joke of the ref blew his whistle, Gibbs-White knocked it back to Hourihane he blasted it and it belted into Gyökeres on the line and thankfully went out for a corner. The corner came in, City won the ball and broke, Allen drove forward, exchanged passes to O’Hare, he back flicked it back to Allen, Jamie played in Hamer, with only the keeper to beat and Godden unmarked to his side, Gustavo went for a shot and it was saved. Minutes later a ball was played into the box and O’Hare went down, it looked like a blatant shirt tug, despite the protests the ref didn’t give it. On half time Hamer crossed one for Fadz to head at the keeper. A minute later O’Hare hit a sublime dipping volley, the keeper was beaten but the ball just didn’t dip enough, a great effort from Callum. After the back pass City were on fire but couldn’t get the second goal.

Half time 50 former players walked out for the crowd including former Blade, Michael Doyle, which got the crowd singing his song and special guest Roland Nilsson.

United had the better start as Moore fielded a long-range effort. Soon City took over again as Allen found O’Hare and he had another good crack on goal. City were now finding gaps all over their back five as Allen threaded one to Gyökeres his shot was touched by their keeper but the ball rolled onto the post, with the keeper on the floor O’Hare was on hand to poke it over the line. It was a split-second wait to make sure the ball had crossed the line and no foul before we could celebrate. It was a deserved second goal of the season for O’Hare and finally FINALLY, a goal in both halves at home. Minutes later City won a corner it was planted on Rose’s head, and he headed onto the post, when it looked like 3-1. Four minutes later in another swift attack Gyökeres, got the ball on the left and drifted into the area, he kept hold of the ball, before slipping the ball to O’Hare, he turned and found the bottom corner of the net, 3-1, what was happening, no one could believe this! After 60 minutes City had a good break, but the attack was halted when one of their defenders, no where near the ball fell over, with Godden near him, boos for the official Mr Simpson. Minutes later O’Hare was grabbed just outside the box and went down, the ref ignored this to the fury of the home fans, “You’re not fit to referee”, we sang. United hit back and three minutes later fired in a good shot that Moore was happy to push away. A few minutes later, we should have scored, Gyökeres was in the box this time he squared it to Gooden with only the keeper to beat, he didn’t. 68 minutes, City were still pounding the Blades when Maatsen had the ball on the edge of the area, he was forced out but then showed great skill by turning on the ball, leaving three players for dead, he played in O’Hare for a one-on-one, their keeper raced out, O’Hare squared it to Godden, this time no mistake 4-1, the CBS was rocking, “Come on the old five” I sang. DL made his first change off went McFadzean, who looked injured and on came Hyam. We were enjoying ourselves in the crowd, it is rare to win a game before injury time, these days. Kane replaced Dabo who had a good game and looked back to his best. City kept ripping United to pieces “United get battered everywhere they go”, sang the Naughty Corner, I disagreed as United are on a good run and substituted the word “fish” for United in the song. Gyökeres then had a shot blocked set up by O’Hare, before the former set up the latter for a blocked shot. Gyökeres then set up Maatsen to try his look as Fotheringham saved. Sharp had a shot at the other end, before Godden was replaced by Waghorn. Into injury time, and as normal chances O’Hare had a shot saved as the crowd were willing for him to get his hattrick, before Waghorn had a chance but the keeper pulled off a good save and that was that. After the game coach Lawrence said he was off to Nandos to celebrate.

Man of the Match
1st: Callum O’Hare: Finally some goals, ran them ragged
2nd: Jamie Allen: Kept popping up everywhere
3rd Viktor Gyökeres: They couldn’t handle him

Coventry City vs Luton Town


A midweek clash against a team we haven’t beaten at home for a while. Good news was Hamer had signed a new contract, meaning he will be here next season or more likely we can get a good transfer fee for him. Onto the game and a brave move from the manager as he played the three, up front with Waghorn dropping deeper. The others were Moore in goal, Clarke-Salter, McFadzean and Rose at the back, Kane and Maatsen as wingbacks, Allen and Hamer in midfield. The Hatters hammered us earlier in the season 5-0 and are on a good run.

The game got underway and after 15 seconds Gyökeres got wide and fired the ball across the area for Godden who forced the keeper into a save. Almost the perfect start, then minutes later Hamer found Gyökeres who blasted over. City were buzzing and Luton were struggling, when Maatsen, got past Bell, to run into space, but the player got hold of him and earned a booking. Maatsen then set up Godden for a shot that was blocked. Luton looked a poor side and City had the beating of them. Waghorn then fired wide after Hamer set him up. Our Brazilian-Dutchman was everywhere controlling midfield. Luton weathered the early storm as Berry had a shot saved. Allen then went into the book after Berry went down too easily. Another great move saw Hamer win the ball and drive forward towards the area, with screams of “shoot” he played in Gyökeres who fired at the keeper. Then out of nowhere a long punt by their keeper found Adebayo in space he ran into the area and from a narrow angle somehow beat Moore to give them an undeserved lead. He was the player that gave us many problems at Kenilworth Road. Luton started to waste time and the half drew to a close Clarke-Salter picked up a booking for a foul.

The opinion at half time was Waghorn wasn’t working in the attacking midfield role and couldn’t play up front either, we needed O’Hare back on.

No subs at half time. The Hatters tried to slow the game down, they are a team that is very good at protecting a lead. City won a free kick and Hamer floated one in for McFadzean to head over. Godden then set up Maatsen to fire over, before Hamer had a shot blocked. First sub for Luton, Connick was taken off, he tried to walk the width of the pitch to go off, but the ref pointed out the other touchline was closer and should go off there, but the player refused and kept walking, the ref booked him, great work by the official. City were struggling to create anything as Adebayo had a shot. Finally, Waghorn went off and O’Hare came on. Callum was quickly fouled, and his assailant picked up a yellow card. Maatsen was then brought down resulting in Adebayo also being booked. City were improving as Maatsen had a shot blocked. Yet another booking for Luton as they were taking it in turns. Allen then set up Gyökeres for a shot. Twelve to go Tavares came on for Godden. He added pace to the attack and quickly set up O’Hare for a golden chance, but he failed to beat the keeper from close range. Into injury time and Tavares raced into the box, it took three defenders to stop him getting a shot on target. The very last action saw Kane put in a great cross to the far post were Maatsen threw himself at the ball but couldn’t get his header on target and that was that.

Man of the Match
1st Gustavo Hamer: We think he’s fu**ing brilliant
2nd Ian Maatsen Need to sign him, if possible
3rd No one

Swansea City vs Coventry City

A long drive to Swansea but I broke it up by visiting Michael Wood, which is a service station and not a historian. Our record against Swansea it pretty abysmal and we have never won on this ground. Our last league win in Swansea was in 1950 when they were called Town. This was a sit in your own seats, type of game when the stewards wanted to check your tickets to make sure you were in the right place. A big following for a big journey. The line up had a surprise admission as O’Hare was out with a dead leg. The line up was Moore in goal, Kane, Clarke-Salter, Rose and McFadzean in defence along with former Swansea player Bidwell. In midfield we had Hamer, Sheaf, Allen and Maatsen, with Gyökeres up front. The Swans had City-born and former Cov player Cyrus Christie in their side. Before the game the fans gave a minute’s applause for the people of Ukraine.

We attacked the far end in the first half. Not much happening early on, Bidwell was soon into the book for attempting to hold back a player that went by him. After 12 minutes Swansea launched a quick counterattack, Paterson advanced he played a quick ball to Obafemi, he played a quick one-two with Paterson and the Coventry born forward scored against us yet again. Gyökeres, was then brought down and earnt a booking to his assailant. City were struggling, to get forward as Swansea kept their passing game going. One tactic with their keeper coming outside his area and pumping long balls wide, hoping to send Swans’ players in-between the centre backs and wing backs. “What we needed to do was to keep it tight at the back and not concede before half time”, I thought, then in the 40th minute, a pass from their keeper found Flynn Downs, he controlled it on his chest and played in Obafemi, he left McFadzean for dead, and toe-poked the ball under Moore for 2-0. Everyone was quite down, then in injury time they lost the ball in a dangerous area, Gyökeres had a great chance in a one-on-one, but failed to beat the keeper.

Hope in the 2nd half, “just don’t concede early”, I thought. Then Sheaf lost the ball Obafemi was on his bike again, raced in and beat Moore for three. It went quiet in the away end, apart from near me as a steward requested someone to move back into his seat and stop standing on the steps, he received a mouth-full of abuse. Kane started to find room down the right and supplied some good balls into the box as one of those deliveries found Clarke-Salter who headed wide. Then Kane found Gyökeres, who suddenly only had the keeper to beat, but a defender got back to block. Maatsen fired wide as the fans got their voices back. Subs then came on with Waghorn coming on, along with Godden, returning after his operation. Off went Bidwell, with Maatsen switching to his position and Gyökeres also went off. City looked livelier as Godden forced a save off their keeper. Waghorn then headed wide after a corner. Another good Kane cross and McFadzean headed just over. At the other end City blocked a few shots, as the game was winding down. With six to go a good move saw Godden fire one on target, but their keeper pulled off a good save, it fell to Waghorn, who had a chance but played in Hamer and he fired home to give us something to celebrate, at least. In injury time a Kane cross was just headed wide by Waghorn. In all a bad day at the office.
Man of the Match
1st Todd Kane: Some good deliveries
2nd Ian Maatsen: Had to pick someone so why not
3rd Gustavo Hamer: Scored, but wasn’t great

Coventry City vs Preston North End

It was a visit of a bogy side to the CBS; we have gone 16 games against them without a league win. A few changes to the side that beat Bristol City, Waghorn came into the attack, Maatsen dropped back replacing Bidwell, Rose for McFadzean and Sheaf was in for Allen, the rest of the line-up was Moore in goal, Kane and Hyam remained in defence, Hamer and O’Hare in midfield with Gyökeres as the other forward.

The game got underway, and the scoreboard showed the flag of Ukraine, which was met by applause from around the ground. City started well as Gyökeres put one over. Before the same player had one blocked. Early on City won a free kick but the Preston player kicked the ball away to waste time, the ref had a word, but years ago that would have been a booking. Hyam then headed over after a Kane cross. PNE were taking an age in their set pieces, in a not very interesting game. After a quarter of an hour Earl was booked for Preston after a foul on Hyam, not the first foul they committed so far. Hamer had a shot saved after a cross by Kane. Lindsay soon was the 2nd PNE player in the book for fouling Waghorn. O’Hare was on the end of most fouls, but the ref tended to ignore most of them. The Lilywhites are a team that don’t score many and don’t concede many as well and after 25 minutes I could see why. They are happy to slow the game down at every opportunity. After the bright start, North End started to get a grip and venture forward. Then they had a great chance as Evans was clear, but Moore did well to prevent a goal. At the other end Waghorn blasted one well over. It was mostly Preston as Rose picked up a yellow card. A penalty shout then for Preston but the ref waved play on, but no booking for the diver. The Sky Blues were under pressure and Moore again had to be alert to save in his top left corner. They had a shot blocked and went close in the dying minutes of the first half. City got to half time still level and another home game were we have failed to score in both halves, “always injury time”, I thought.

Now attacking the end where their fans are Evans came close as he hit the post with a header, Moore, showed quick reactions by kicking the ball away whilst he was on the ground. Moore had to save again as City continued to be pushed back. In midfield Hamer and Sheaf were trying their best to get things moving and Sheaf was proving to be effective. Then a great chance, some smart work and a back heel sent Waghorn through for a run on goal, but he was too slow and the defender got back to take the ball off him on the edge of the area. Frustration at the forward again, who has only one goal to his credit this season. Maatsen then went close with a shot. Still it was mostly Preston as Archer fired wide from outside the box. It was Chad Evans who was the main danger, and he got a header on target, but it was saved by Moore, who was keeping City in the game. Around the 65th minute a change, it wasn’t Taraves as we hoped, but on came Bidwell, Maatsen went into attacking midfield and thankfully Waghorn went off. Dabo replaced Kane, who I thought was having a good game. Gyökeres set up Hamer for a shot on target as City slowly started to get more of the ball. Hamer then went into the book for a cynical foul, his 11th yellow of the season. O’Hare was fouled but the ref played advantage until he was hacked down yet again and finally someone got booked for fouling him. Moore had to be alert again to save from Archer. With 6 minutes to go and City looking brighter, Gyökeres raced down the wing but was cynically blocked by Lindsay, the ref gave him his second yellow and then red, suddenly City had the advantage. City then won a freekick leading to Maatsen getting a shot away, PNE broke and Johnson threaded a ball to Jakobsen, the player raced past Dabo and the wingback ran back and caught the player, it was inside the box, penalty and no choice from the referee but to follow that up with a red card. It was a stupid foul by Dabo. After a couple of idiots ran onto the pitch, for their last game at The CBS for years, Johnson sent Moore the wrong way for all three points. “You’re not singing anymore”, taunted the away following. Six minutes of injury time were awarded, Preston extended this with a sub. O’Hare was hacked down yet again, he was already limping, Evans went into the book. O’Hare, on his remaining leg just fired wide, before he limped off to be replaced by Taraves. A couple of minutes later PNE made another sub to slow the game down. Into 7 minutes of injury time when Gyökeres was fouled, free kick. Moore advanced, wanting to join the attack, but he wasn’t given permission. The kick came in and went to the right, Taraves, got the ball knocked it wide before blasting a glorious curling shot into the top corner, the home crowd went mad, yet another Robin’s time goal and what a strike by the kid! “YOURE NOT SINGING ANYMORE” we taunted back. There was a dust-up on the touch line as Viveash was involved with their manager, the ref booked both. The game kicked off again and the final whistle went, everyone was still buzzing about the Fabio goal.

Man of the Match
1st: Simon Moore: Kept us in it
2nd Fabio Tavares: What a goal
3rd: Ben Sheaf: He was everywhere.

Bristol City Vs Coventry City


So, off on the coach to Bristol and we opened last season’s campaign there and conceded after 20 seconds. It was City’s fans first visit there for seven years and the ground has shown considerable improvement since then. The access to the ground was strictly controlled and for the only time this season I wasn’t allowed to walk around the outside of the ground. Inside the ground I got a message to meet a local, who I last saw at school some 30 years-a-go! (OK its 40 years this year since I left school). It was a good following with many not seeing Ashton Gate before. The line up was Moore in goal, Kane and Bidwell as the wingbacks, Hyam, McFadzean and Clarke-Salter as the centre backs, Allen and back after suspension Hamer, in the holding roles, O’Hare and Maatsen in the attacking roles with Gyökeres up front. The Robins had two 19-year-olds and a 20-year-old in midfield and had just won their last four home games. Today’s date was a palindrome and an ambigram, the date could be read the same left to right, from right to left and upside down 22022022.

The stewards enforced us to sit in our seats we had on our tickets, when this happens the late surge have nowhere to sit, so they piled on the stairway just in front of me, which was very dangerous. The Sky Blues attacked the far end in the first half, that used to be the away end. Maatsen had a shot blocked set up by O’Hare. The pitch was looking in immaculate condition despite having a rugby team play on it. Then Wieman dived in with a header that went close. Maatsen was fouled with a high tackle but no booking. The Robins tried a long range shot after a good build up that was comfortable for Moore. The Sky Blues were having most of the possession but nothing much was happening. Then in the 25th minute Hamer picked up the ball and pinged in a fabulous 25-yard pass straight to Maatsen in the area, he let it bounce before scoring off the far post to give us the lead. Fans in the stairway were falling on each other and on fans in the seats, we were all standing up. This was sweet for Maatsen since he was the player that was sent off in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. We were still buzzing when Maatsen sent Gyökeres through, but he couldn’t provide the finish from a narrow angle. City now on top as Hamer had a shot blocked. Then with 8 minutes left it all could have gone wrong, Kane, misplaced a pass and Semenyo had a free run in on goal, but thankfully he shanked his shot wide. O’Hare then into the book for dragging down a player that got past him. First half ended with City in front and looking comfortable.

It wasn’t long into the 2nd half that The Robins were taking control somewhat, not helped by them hitting the ground at every opportunity and the ref missing the holding and shirt tugging of Gyökeres. Seven minutes in and after a free kick Semenyo rattled the crossbar with a header. City were defending in depth and had to put in a good block to prevent a shot on target. Finally, The Sky Blues relieved some of the pressure and got up our end. Gyökeres received a throw in, and he played in O’Hare out wide, the midfielder raced into the box, side-stepped one player, went around another and fired one, on target, the keeper did well to stop Callum scoring his second goal of the season, both would have been against Bristol. Gyökeres had a shot blocked on the edge of the area. Cov City fans were in fine voice, in what a Bristol City fans later texted into local radio as “they were magnificent and never shut up”. Just before the hour mark Bristol City won a free kick that looked like a dive, Semenyo and Hyam squared-up and the ref booked both of them. The Robins won a corner, it was played short and delivered to the far post, the ball was headed back and Chris Martin was unmarked and headed home, not a bad goal for the lead singer of Coldplay (I think they are different people). The goal was on the cards and now The Robins had momentum. We blocked a shot at the other end before a counterattack, Hamer firing one in, City kept possession and some brilliant one touch football, saw Bidwell, find O’Hare, O’Hare to Maatsen, Maatsen to Gyökeres, Gyökeres back to Maatsen and fired in a shot that the keeper managed to push away. With 15 to go City won a corner, Hamer played it to the far post and Hyam met it only to head the ball against the post. The pulling continued to be unpunished on Gyökeres, and after an obvious tugged The Robins surged forward, Martin was released into the area with only Moore to beat, but the keeper was quick off his line and got to the ball first. Subs then came on Shipley for Maatsen and Dabo for Kane. Martin had a shot saved at the other end. Dabo went into the book, for his first foul, Bristol were getting away with a lot more. With a minute to go, Hamer nicked the ball off the toes of a Bristol player, he just about beat another one to the loose ball and found himself in space to run in on. He charged forward into their half, he had O’Hare one side and Gyökeres to the other, The Big Swede had found room and Gus, passed to him, one touch and he slid the ball under the keeper, the away end was all limbs (a modern expression kids use). I complained it wasn’t even injury time yet, but what great work by Hamer. Five minutes of injury time was signalled as Klose went close with a header. City saw out the rest of the game for a great win.

Man of the match
1st Gustavo Hamer: Just class
2nd Ian Maatsen: Looks even better in this role
3rd: Jake Bidwell: No brilliant, but his best game so far

Coventry City vs Barnsley

The games keep coming, next up were bottom of the table Barnsley. The Tykes have a truly awful record away to us, no win since 1923, that is a run of 26 games without a win. It looked a nailed-on home 3-point banker. We know it is never that easy. They didn’t play in midweek whilst we looked very leggy in the defeat in Cardiff. The line up was Moore in goal, Kane, Hyam, McFadzean, Clarke-Salter and Maatsen at the back, Sheaf, Allen and O’Hare in midfield with, for a change two up front, Waghorn and Gyökeres.

The game got underway and in our first attack we opened their defence, with O’Hare charging forward he found Gyökeres, he found room but could only fire a tame effort at their keeper. Two minutes later another counterattack and the same outcome, O’Hare finds Gyökeres and Viktor shoots tamely into the keeper’s arms. At the other end City blocked a shot. Barnsley were offering nothing going forward, they have only won three all season, with the last coming last week against QPR, they also, somehow beat us. O’Hare had two chances one blocked the other just wide, the first set up by Maatsen and second by Hyam. Another good move saw Gyökeres set up Waghorn, but the forward with only one goal all season was wide. It wasn’t a great game and was a bit like watching League Two football at times. Barnsley put one wide as both defences were on top. The game ticked on and already it looked like it was destined for 0-0. Waghorn fired wide after O’Hare set him up, before Callum had a good run, Waghorn was in acres of space but O’Hare decided to shoot and forced a save, can’t really complain as we want him to shoot more often. A lively Maatsen had a shot saved as half time was approaching. Into injury time and City caught them on the counterattack, Kane had time and room, either to go down the wing, or play in the front two or O’Hare, he picked the later but played it behind the midfielder and the chance was gone. So yet another game without scoring in both halves at home.

City started to get even more on top in the 2nd half as Maatsen had a shot blocked and Waghorn went wide. Sheaf had a long ranger comfortably saved. The Sky Blues were not troubled at the back as McFadzean, and his defenders were dealing with Barnsley’s attacks and Allen was putting himself about. Another good attack saw Sheaf play in Gyökeres, but again his shot lacked any conviction. A worrying clash of heads involving Gyökeres next held up the game, thankfully, after treatment and a head bandage he was back on the pitch. On the 70th minute mark City really piled on the pressure, but Barnsley defenders were blocking well, with three interceptions in a matter of seconds. It was getting frustrating as the game went on and City were struggling to create anything meaningful against a packed-out defence. O’Hare had one blocked set up by Kane with ten to go. Then a great chance, saw Waghorn fire wide. We then had the biggest cheer of the day, as, at long last prolific scorer for the U23, Fabio Taraves, made his debut, replacing Waghorn. This lifted the crowd, as a player we wanted to see for months was finally on. He spent most of the game hanging on the shoulder of the defenders and looks the type that he could leave them for dead. City had the chance of a quick break-a-way from a corner but opted to play it short. Injury time was heading for us with the fans around me predicting 3-4 minutes, I was opting for 12 minutes, 9 minutes came up. Two minutes into this City won a corner. It came in but was cleared, the ball went to Sheaf, instead of picking out a player in the box he drove the ball in, a Barnsley defender deflected the ball and it fell to Hyam, he swivelled and placed the ball in the bottom corner, for yet another injury time goal for City. He raced over to the “Naughty Corner”, with a delighted Tavares just behind him. Late on Dabo came on to help eat up time and see us out to our 23rd home win against Barnsley.

Man of the match
1st: Ian Maatsen: A danger throughout
2nd Jamie Allen: Got through a lot of hard work
3rd Kyle McFadzean A rock.

Reading vs Coventry City


Another trip due south as we headed towards the Royal County of Berkshire. Reading fans were revolting, protesting outside their ground trying to get rid of their board, reminded me of us a few years ago. The Royals are on a dreadful run of 7 league defeats in a row, a typical game we always seem to slip up at. It was also Reading’s 150th celebration of their first game, so a fan park was up around the ground and a full capacity. Inside the ground we realised Waghorn was missing as we were down to one fit 1st team striker. The people serving behind the bars had aprons with the Coventry City badge emblazoned on, a nice touch. The line-up was Moore in goal, Kane, Rose, Hyam, Clarke-Salter and Bidwell at the back, Hamer, Sheaf, Maatsen and O’Hare in midfield with Gyökeres up front. Radio Berkshire, were pretty down beat, not surprisingly, they took 35 minutes even to mention us. They had players returning to fitness and one texter claimed it was their best match-day squad of the season.

City attacked the far end in the 1st half playing in the pink and blue halved kit. Gyökeres and Maatsen had shots blocked or go wide. Then a great chance, a counterattack, saw the ball played out to Maatsen, he found O’Hare who was in plenty of space and played in Gyökeres in acres of room with only the keeper to beat, but the keeper guessed right to pull off a save. Reading soon started to get more of the ball as Bidwell went into the book after bringing a player down after he went passed him. Reading were raiding down the flanks well as both of our wingbacks were looking poor. It was mostly now Reading as City were struggling. After 23 minutes The Royals came forward with Hoilett whipping in a good cross, it was met by João who headed it in, it was no more than they deserved. We were worried, losing to a team on such a bad run and we were not playing well. Minutes later another deep cross swerved more than it should have done, it was arrowing towards the net until Moore scrambled back to pull off a good save. Tom Ince put one just wide. O’Hare had a shot blocked, before Hamer was pulled up for a foul, he didn’t agree and threw the ball away, picking up a stupid booking. Hyam then hacked down a player and picked up a booking from the referee who was having a good game. Into injury time, Reading sat back a bit and City got forward and won a corner. It came out to the edge of the box and Hamer had a shot, incredibly it somehow went in, Hyam got a touch on it and we were somehow level. “Forest Green on a Tuesday night”, I taunted the Reading posh lot in the executive boxes right next to the away end.

Half time there was a pizza give-a-way, with one pizza being awarded to one fan in each stand, a great cheap piece of advertising by the pizza company I will not mention, “here for a pizza, we’re only here for a pizza”, some of us sang.

We all hoped we could play better in the 2nd half and come away with a win. City won a corner early in the 2nd half, Hamer swung it in, and Rose flicked the ball past their keeper, it was a great header and City were in the lead. We had won three previous times on this ground the last one in the 2004-2005 season, each time we came from a goal down to win 2-1. City broke again and not for the first time Kane found himself in acres of space, a simple ball would have found Gyökeres unmarked but for once his delivery was poor. We had hardly any time to consolidate the lead when Reading won a corner, that was played in and Yiadom headed home to give the home fans hope of a result. Two minutes later O’Hare was brought down, and the ref booked the player fouling him. O’Hare was fouled again giving City a dangerous freekick, but Hamer put it over the bar. At our end Moore had a standard shot to save as Reading were still looking the more threatening. Just after the hour mark Gyökeres was hacked down and no complaints about the yellow card to Hoilett, trouble is he was the player booked previously for the foul on O’Hare, so Reading were down to ten men. When you are on a terrible run like Reading’s nothing goes right, as a minute or so later Gyökeres, played in Maatsen, he was in the box and hit his shot first time, it deflected off the foot of the defender and looped over the keeper and into the net. We were delighted to be in front as I reminded the Reading fans about a possible trip to the village of Nailsworth to watch a league game in midweek next season. Changes were made off went Bidwell who was poor, Maatsen dropped back to wingback and Shipley went into midfield. We thought that City would now dominate the game, but it was Reading that looked like they had the extra man. Sheaf went into the book as City were holding on. City put in some great blocks but then Reading should have levelled when Ince met a cross with only Moore to beat but under pressure he put it over the bar. Allen replaced O’Hare as we counted down the minutes. Maatsen also went into the book. City saw out the game for a good win, but for once a not very good performance.

Some of their fans launched a pitch invasion after the game, as they were understandably angry, that they could be slipping back to the third flight, a natural home for them for most of their existence.

Man of the match
1st: Ian Maatsen: A great game
2nd: Gustavo Hamer: Lively but a silly booking
3rd Michael Rose: A well taken goal

Coventry City vs Blackpool


After the physical and mental strain of the extra time defeat in the Cup, we faced Blackpool at home in the league, could City recover? Surprisingly only a few changes to the line-up. As Kane and Shipley came in, the rest of the side were Moore in goal, the back three were Clarke-Salter, Hyam and Rose, with Maatsen dropped back to wingback, holding midfielders Sheaf and Hamer, O’Hare attacking midfield and Gyökeres up front. Pool had three former City players, Martin Keogh, one of our best players during his two years at the club, Gary Madine, two loan spells better in his second and Dujon Sterling who won the fans over when he was on loan.

The game got under way and as normal the Blackpool fans made plenty of noise. The Sky Blues started off well with a couple of good crosses into the box before an incisive attack saw Hamer volley a shot that hit Shipley and the ball went wide. The Tangerines had a close shot at the other end in an entertaining opening. Hamer hit a long ranger that just dipped over the bar. Maatsen had a shot go wide as City players were finding space against a side bang in form. Moore saved a shot. Blackpool were playing an old fashioned 4-4-2 and both of their wingers were causing trouble. Gyökeres had a shot blocked and not long after Sheaf raced towards the box and seemed to be brought down on the edge of the box, the referee, decided it was a dive and booked the player. After the game Robins said the ref made some strange decisions, that is from someone who never mentions the referee. Minutes later O’Hare was clear, he finished but the linesman had his flag up for a while as O’Hare was comfortably offside. Blackpool still looked dangerous on the counter. City kept pressing as O’Hare buzzed around the box but delayed too long in trying a shot and was robbed. Pool launched a quick counterattack saw Dale square to Madine who drove the ball home in front of the away fans to give them the lead. The last five visits Blackpool made against us they had taken the lead. It took a couple of minutes for City to recover and when they did we almost scored. Kane played in Shipley on the edge of the area, he lifted the ball over the head of a defender and fired a shot, that hit the arm of a defender, a mass appeal by the fans and players but no penalty and no VAR to bail out the official either. Hyam then went into the book as the ref saw that but missed plenty of shirt tugging and fouls on the City players. City won a corner and it caused problems as Clarke-Salter had a header that found Gyökeres for a tap-in but he was clearly off side. Into the last five minutes and Gyökeres helping out at the back conceded a corner. Moore caught the corner and kicked it straight out to Gyökeres, he was marked by Sterling, it was a battle of strengths and the fullback didn’t have a prayer, Gyökeres got past him, entered the box before firing past the keeper to level the game up. City now were in full flight again and O’Hare got a shot that was deflected for a corner. It came in and was partially cleared, the ball came back in as the flag went up for Hyam being offside, but the ball fell to Rose, on-side but he could only head straight at the keeper.

Second half saw a Blackpool player go in the book for a foul on O’Hare. Hamer had another blasted that forced the keeper into a save. Gyökeres had one blocked and Rose had a header on target. City then seemed to run out of steam as Saturday seemed to take effect. Blackpool had a large amount of possession, but City were standing firm at the back. One nervy moment saw Madine fire in a shot, Moore spilt the shot but just managed to recover to push it behind before Madine could score. City couldn’t get the ball or wasted it when they did. The manager later said the pitch wasn’t flat enough and tended to bobble. Changes were made as Waghorn, and Bidwell replaced Shipley and Kane. City were still struggling to keep the ball as Clarke-Salter went into the book. Slowly City got back in the game as another blast by Hamer looked goal bound, until it brushed off the back of a defender and went over. Hamer went into the book, no arguments but the officials missed a blatant shirt tug on Gyökeres. Into injury time and City nearly won it, a great move saw O’Hare backheel it to Hamer, who had the goal at his mercy but got under the shot and blasted it over.

Man of the match
1st Gustavo Hamer: Back to his best
2nd Viktor Gyökeres: Back in the goals and back on form
3rd Callum O’Hare: If only he could shoot.

Southampton vs Coventry City


So, it was FA Cup Day and our first trip to St Mary’s since we were relegated from the Championship. We were yet to win on that ground but have drawn three of the four games there. After a trip down the roads and motorways we parked in a carpark for a Sheik Temple, ten minutes from the ground. After a coffee outside we joined the mass ranks of Sky Blue in the away end. The line-up for the cup was Moore in goal, playing his first cup game for us. The back three were Clarke-Salter, Hyam and Rose, with Eccles and Bidwell was the wingbacks, Sheaf and Hamer holding, O’Hare and surprisingly Maatsen, on his return from injury playing attacking midfield with Gyökeres up front. The Saints had two former loan players playing for them Jack Stephens and Adam Armstrong.

City attacked the far end in the first half and after four minutes our first chance as Eccles had a shot saved. At our end Ward-Prowse had a shot blocked before Moore had to saved from former Wonderkid Theo Walcott. City were competing well, against the Premier League team and after 22 minutes it was pandemonium in the away end, Sheaf had the ball passed to Gyökeres, he passed back, a first-time pass put the Swede through to coolly slot past the keeper to give us the lead. City were playing well as the Saints were finding it hard to get going. Eccles had a shot blocked at the other end. The Saints were forced into a substitution as £10 million Redmond came on. Maatsen was proving to be rather good in his new role and put a shot wide, set up by Hamer. Adam Armstrong then went too high at our end, I reminded him of a goal he scored at Millwall from further out. With City solid at the back the ref started to take centre stage, he booked Eccles for a trip, the player had gone past him. Moore then saved from Redmond. In injury time Hamer went into the book for a late challenge. Half time City looking comfortable. Radio Solent whished their players could play one-touch football just like The Sky Blues.

2nd half saw the Saints gain more of the ball. As Redmond had a shot blocked, then a great chance as O’Hare raced free but he seemed in two minds whether to shoot or not and the chance was gone. Gyökeres had a shot blocked for a corner, Hamer played it in, and Rose went wide with a header. Sheaf then went into the book for nothing more than a trip, further incensing the City fans who thought the ref was biased towards the Premiership side. A couple of minutes later another attack for Southampton fell to Stuart Armstrong, who replaced namesake Adam, the sub blasted a swerving shot, from outside the box past Moore a goal worthy of Mat Le Tissier. City made the first change off went Maatsen after impressing, on came Shipley. Then Waghorn and Allen replaced Bidwell and Hamer, before Kane came on for Eccles. Straight away a great chance as a misplaced pass found Waghorn with an unopposed run in on goal, but he fired at the keeper. Seconds later he put one wide from a Shipley pass. Waghorn then had his third chance but fired just wide from the edge of the box. More saved one at the other end. Gyökeres then went down on the wing after what looked like an elbow, to our surprise the ref gave it and booked Varley, only a yellow card for elbow whilst City players were getting booked for trips. In the last-minute Jones replaced O’Hare. We made it to extra time, we would have preferred a replay, hopefully they will be back next season.

First period of extra time, City attacking the far end again. Southampton had the best of it early on, with a couple of close calls. One attacked was stopped by a perfectly timed tackle by Kane, Ward-Prowse jumped into the air and landed in a heap, the ref booked Kane despite it being a good tackle. First period no goals.

2nd period started and Saints took the lead after a flowing move, the scorer Walker-Peters and another jumped into the crowd but only one was booked. Minutes later Jones was tripped but no card. City started to get forward more and a great cross by Kane was met by Clarke-Salter forcing a save from the keeper. Clarke-Salter then went into the book as the ref was booking anything in Sky Blue. Into injury time and Kane put in another great cross, Waghorn somehow planted his header wide. Waghorn then had one saved, then a minute later a great move saw the ball swung in, it reached Kane who blasted it home, absolute madness in the away end, until we saw the offside flag. We demanded VTO. Only later we found out that Waghorn had tapped it in and was offside. The ref blew for full time. We left with our heads held high. Got back to the car, got out, about to turn left near some traffic lights, just as the police held the traffic up to let the 38 away coaches leave. I spent most of the journey home overtaking them.

Man of the Match
1st Ben Sheaf: Rapidly becoming player of the season
2nd Viktor Gyökeres A handful for 80 minutes then tired
3rd Tod Kane Quality delivery almost won us a penalty shootout.

Coventry City vs Stoke City


It was a cold night as our first of the Covid hit games was rearranged for the night. It was the first time Stoke had visited the ground, since they were a Premier League side and we were in League Two, in a famous giant killing. Shipley was the only survivor in the City side from that day, he started, Hyam was an unused sub that day. There were surprises in the first team, O’Hare was rested, and Kane was out. More injury crisis at wingback, midfielder Josh Eccles, his first start since a trip to Bournemouth last season. Both sides have a similar record but Stoke are a good traveling side that hardly concede away. The others playing for The Sky Blues were Moore in goal, Bidwell making his full debut, Clarke-Salter, McFadzean at the back. Sheaf, O’Hare and Allen the other midfielders with Gyökeres up front. The Potters side made me feel old, not only having the son of Paul Ince playing, but really rubbing it in they had the grandson of Ian Wright also playing.

The Potters started off with a corner and a blocked shot, in our first clash with them this season. Managed by former City player Michael O’Neill, they have a similar passing philosophy to us. A quick blast of The Potters’ theme song “Delilah” was belted out. It was mostly Stoke early on as they put a header wide and had a shot blocked. The Sky Blues slowly got their game together and Gyökeres had a shot saved. The Sky Blues were now edging the game as a Shipley shot was blocked. Hyam had a shot blocked in a game that was still to come to life. Eccles was doing well outwide, looking like he had played there for years, whilst Allen was all energy. Then we should have taken the lead, a square ball from a Stoke defender was missed by recent signing Jagielka, it went straight to Gyökeres with a free shot on target, he controlled the ball and fired, but it was too close to the keeper and the wait for a Viktor goal went on. Sheaf was then booked to the anger of the home crowd for nothing more than a trip. The Sky Blues then almost sneaked a goal when a Hamer corner swung under the post forcing the keeper to tip over. Another good attack saw the ball out wide to Allen, he swung in a cross, Bidwell had a header blocked, the ball fell to Gyökeres, whose shot was blocked by the keeper at very close range. Half time no goals.

Second half and it was a great atmosphere in the ground, with Shipley’s name being sung a lot. City almost had the perfect start when Allen played in Shipley and his thunderbolt was deflected over the bar, somehow by a defender’s head. At the other end Stoke were struggling to break City down, with the central defenders winning everything and Clarke-Salter occasionally getting forward on raids up field. Bidwell had a shot blocked before Clarke-Salter went into the book for nothing more than a trip, this injustice incensed the home crowd. A raft of substitutions then took place as both managers made changes. For City on came Waghorn and O’Hare for Shipley and surprisingly Hamer, but the cavalry were on. City pressed in numbers, forcing a hurried clearance, the ball fell to Sheaf, he played in Gyökeres, on the edge of the area, he curved in a shot that beat the keeper, to end his goal drought and to spark off celebrations. Gyökeres looked mightily relieved to score. Stoke started to have more possession but were finding it hard to break down the defence, as Moore had a day off. City now could catch Stoke on the counter and one such attack saw Waghorn blast a long range shot just wide. With two minutes to go, Eccles, turned his man and was about to race into wide open space on the flank, until he was hacked down by Jagielka, the ref finally booked a Stoke player, it was the only bad foul of the game. Allen then put a ball in for Gyökeres, but his header was too high. Then another sub as Eccles was suffering from cramp and the tackle, it was forgotten man Da Costa that came on and he got stuck in. Gyökeres’ shot was blocked, O’Hare’s was saved as City saw out injury time with little problem and for the first time this season an opposition failed to get a shot on target.

Man of the match
1st: Jake Clarke-Salter: Commanding at the back and could get forward as well
2nd: Jamie Allen: Never stopped running
3rd Josh Eccles: Played better than I thought he would

Coventry City vs QPR


After the shock midweek news of Godden’s appendectomy, meaning we had to do without the 2nd most prolific scorer in the division, according to the BBC, behind Mitrovic of Fulham, we had a tough home game against QPR. The mega-rich team from Sheppard’s Bush were in good form and chasing automatic promotion. MR gave Moore and McFadzean their first starts of the year, whilst Gyökeres, played the loan front man. The other players were Kane, Hyam, Clarke-Salter, Shipley, Hamer, Sheaf, Allen and O’Hare. The pitch was showing the first signs of ware, as City came out in the all-white, Return to the Ricoh kit.

It was almost a great start for City when Sheaf, fed Allen through, in on goal but his shot was saved by their keeper. A couple of minutes later, Andre Gray was put clean through in our box, with only had Moore to beat, the keeper came out to block the shot. A couple of minutes later they carved through our defence, with a pass by Willock, leaving Gray to calmly beat Moore to give them the lead. A large contingent from an area of London, known best, by me at least, as being the home of Steptoe and Son, celebrated the goal, they also booed their former player Kane at every opportunity. City hit back when Gyökeres, played in Allen, and another one of his shots was saved whilst he was in a good position. It was now mostly City as we were dominating, and the fans gave a half-hearted penalty appeal for a after a handball. It was then Allen’s turn to set up Gyökeres, whose shot was saved, before Allen set up Hamer for a blast, the ball was blocked, most were convinced by a hand of a Rangers player, but nothing given by the ref. The one-way siege continued as Hyam nodded wide from a Kane corner. The atmosphere in the 20,000 + crowd was good as City kept up the pressure and after 21 minutes almost had a breakthrough as Shipley played in O’Hare, his shot was destined for the top corner until their keeper saved it. Minutes later the same two combined again only for O’Hare’s shot to be blocked. Allen then missed another chance. QPR had some possession as the half went on, then should have made it two when Gray missed a sitter. Half time somehow Rangers were in front.

Early in the 2nd half O’Hare put one wide after Kane played him in. After 50 minutes City won a corner, Kane took it and rolled it out to an advancing Shipley, he smashed the ball first time into the net from the edge of the penalty area, quite a brilliant goal. Before kickoff the ref raced over to the Naughty Corner and there was a problem, the medics raced over, apparently a steward had collapsed. After 16 minutes of treatment, the game could get underway again. The Steward was taken to hospital and then returned home. With the game back on the ref finally booked one of their players after numerous warnings. O’Hare then set up Gyökeres for a shot that just went wide. Kane put one over the bar as City continued to dominate. Hamer forced the keeper into a save. Then we came very close to taking the lead, a corner came in and Gyökeres had only the keeper to beat with his head, but from nowhere a defender’s foot came up to knock the ball away. Shipley had another shot before he was taken off, he looked like he was a struggling with a knock. On came Jake Bidwell, signed from Swansea, to make his debut, he also previously played for QPR. At the same time former City Wembley scorer George Thomas came on for QPR. O’Hare went into the book for tugging at a player going by him near their box. Then the sucker punch as Adomah headed home against the run of play to give them the lead. Martyn Waghorn came on after a long layoff with injury replacing Allen. Seven minutes into injury time Jones replaced Kane. Two minutes later a great cross by O’Hare found Waghorn, he looked certain to score but his shot was blocked. Waghorn appealed for a penalty, the big screen showed the shot and there was a big “oooooo” from the home fans as the ball seemed to strike the hand of a defender and go out for a corner, but we never get these types of decisions. Waghorn and O’Hare had chances, but to no avail, the last action saw Thomas blast one over the bar from a freekick.

There manager said "The players deserve a lot of credit but let's be honest, we've been on the other end of that, played outstandingly well and come away with nothing.”

Man of the match
1st Ben Sheaf: Outstanding in midfield
2nd Viktor Gyökeres: Getting back to his early season form
3rd Jordan Shipley: What a goal!

Peterborough United vs Coventry City


It was my 10th visit in 20 seasons to London Road, so I know where to park. It was a freezing and foggy journey across to Cambridgeshire. In the ground we heard the team news and a few surprises. In goal was Wilson, fuelling the rumour that Moore is wanted by Villa, the defenders were Kane, Clarke-Salter, Hyam, Rose and playing as an emergency left wingback was Shipley, with rumours that Jake Bidwell was coming in from Swansea. In midfield was Hamer, Sheaf, O’Hare and Allen with Godden up front. The Posh have the leakiest defence in the division but play well at home.

City were attacking the far end in the first half, as Shipley had a shot. Siriki Dembele, is The Posh’s dangerman out wide, he took on Kane and tried to get past him, by holding the ball between his heels and flicking it up, but it got it all wrong and City fans gave him stick throughout the game. Norburn was first into the book for hacking down O’Hare. City, already were looking the better side. After 15 minutes O’Hare played the ball to Hamer, Gustavo 30-yards out decided to have a pop at goal, he struck it brilliantly, the keeper got a hand to it, but it went in. A great start. Wilson had a couple of standard saves minutes later, as Posh tried to hit back. Sheaf then had a shot blocked. A new song emerged in force about Sheaf, a cover version of one sung about Andy Blair, in the 80’s, “He’s here, he’s there, he’s every f***ing, where, Ben Sheaf, Ben Sheaf.” Hyam then went into the book, after the ref played-on and came back with a yellow card. City were working hard and closing down, we got our rewards when Sheaf robbed a Peterborough player, he played in Godden, in the area Matty despatched the ball into the net and he started up his lawnmower. City were flying and we were enjoying ourselves in the away end. It looked like City could get a hatful. Rose then put a header wide with a Kane cross. Another shot straight at Wilson at our end as Peterborough were struggling to break us down. Then a great chance as Hamer played in Allen, he only had the keeper to beat, close in he tried a chip and put it wide. A minute later, United were at our end when Taylor passed to Grant, there seemed no danger, but the player bent the ball around Wilson to give them a lifeline. City hit back with Sheaf having a shot blocked then Godden had a shot saved. Mumba then was booked, before Godden had a shot saved and that was the last action of the half.

After getting out of the first half, only a goal down, the Posh started strongly as Grant went wide. The comeback was soon over as O’Hare forced a save. Kane raided down the wing and laid in a low cross for O’Hare, he slid in, made contact with the ball and hit the foot of the post. After ten minutes of the half, Shipley broke through and blasted one that the keeper forced over the bar. We were singing the praises of Shippers with his song, “His name is Jordan Shipley, he’s City through and through, and now he is in the first team, his dreams have come true”. Kane had a shot blocked as we were desperate for a third goal. Hamer then went close as it was all one-way traffic. Darren Ferguson had to change things and threw on our former forward Clarke-Harris. Another good run by O’Hare was stopped with a run in front of the box, by a foul, his assailant Edwards was booked. It was a free kick in the penalty arc, it looked like either Shipley or Hamer to hit it over the wall, but not as Hamer, quickly played it to Allen, in space, he fired but hit the post, the keeper may have got a hand to it. It looked like the typical performance, creating chances but not scoring. O’Hare had a shot on target. We always had a danger of them sneaking a goal at the other end, as they had a shot blocked. With City controlling midfield, MR made a surprise change after 66 minutes, off went Hamer and on came Gyökeres. It took a couple of minutes to readjust to the new formation. It was the sub who was lively and the big Swede on the edge of the area and forced the keeper to tip the ball over the bar. Then from a Kane corner, Godden put one wide, it was still frustrating, not finding a goal. Into the last ten minutes City kept going, when Kane put in a cross heading towards Gyökeres, but Thompson got in first, but he could only direct it into his own net. Great celebrations in the away and finally, finally, we scored in both halves. Shipley then put one wide, as we could relax and enjoy ourselves. O’Hare then played in Gyökeres, he chipped the ball up and hit on the volley, we were on our feet as it looked in all the way, until it went just wide, hands on head time. I tuned into Radio Cambridgeshire, and they were in great form as the guy on there was talking about Godden. “They got Godden, playing up front on his own, they got Godden up front on his own, he’s not big, he’s not quick. He’s got players running off him, Coventry came here with a plan”. Seconds later he said, “They are the best side I’ve seen at London Road ever”. Into injury time Eccles replaced Shipley. A minute later, City defending suddenly broke, Gyökeres was played in for a run on goal, he looked like he was about to shoot but instead squared it to Godden who beat the keeper for the 4th and his 10th of the season. The game ended three minutes later. A great performance. After the game the players came over to the away end and Shipley was the last one, joining in with his own song, but was he waving goodbye to us?

On Radio Cambridgeshire, some of their fans were asking Ferguson to be sacked and lamenting Godden was allowed to leave, the presenter spent a couple of minutes explaining a picture sent in by a Peterborough fan, of a flea playing a violin, without any explanation. Soon on the road down the “A” roads following a long line of car, made up, mostly of City fans.

Man of the Match
1st Jordan Shipley: He is City through and through
2nd Ben Sheaf: He’s everywhere
3rd Matty Godden: Two goals against his old club.

Coventry City vs Derby County

City kicked off 2022 with a Cup tie against Derby. After the New Year’s Day game was called off at home to Luton we had to wait for this game, whilst Derby were playing. They may be bottom on their points deduction but had won three and drew one of their last four games. Not a big crowd, but this was one of the least interesting ties of the 3rd Round. With Covid still rife, it was a changed line-up. In goal was Wilson, with Kane, Rose, Hyam, Clarke-Salter and Dabo at the back, Hamer and Sheaf in the holding positions, Allen and a rare start for Shipley, further up, with Godden up front.

County started off the better team, passing the ball well, when a break went to their left, the ball came in for Lawrence to shoot, on the edge of the area, the County fans were on their feet to celebrate a goal, but Wilson flung himself and got a touch, a great save. City were finding it hard to get going in midfield with County dominating. Down their right, their wingback Ebosele got past Dabo all too easily. Minutes later he skinned him again, throughout the match Dabo could not get close to him and he looked dangerous every time he attacked. Despite the danger from the right, City were standing firm at the back. Slowly we got back into the game and after 13 minutes Sheaf played a great ball to Kane to race into the area, only for a defender to slide in and concede a corner. Both teams, like to play out from the back and both teams like a high press, and after 15 minutes, City caught Derby out, the ball went to Godden on the edge of the area with only former hopeless City keeper Allsopp to beat, but the forward lifted the ball well over the bar. The Sky Blues were now getting to grips with the game as Shipley had a shot. Dabo brought down Ebosele, as he went past him again, the player’s first name is Festy and he proved to be that. City now were looking the more dangerous side as a Hamer, piledriver was blocked and the ball rolled to Allsopp. Veteran, Jagielka was then booked for bringing down a lively Allen, in a game were both sides tried to play football. Some good work down our right involved Kane, he squared the ball and it fell to Allen whose shot cannoned against the post. Into the last 5 minutes and City won a corner, as it was being taken Godden was being man-handled, but the ball went deep and Hyam rose to head it into the goal, with Godden trying his best to poach it. City saw out half time and we hoped to see a goal in both halves for the first time this season.

It had been raining all throughout the game, but after the players left for half time the heavens opened up.

Thankfully by the time the second half got underway the rain had died down. County started to win a series of corners but the three at the back were defending well. Clarke-Salter had to be on his toes, as Dabo was failing to win a single tackle and he was being ripped apart. Derby now looked the most likely side as a shot was blocked. Shipley then picked up a card after a clear trip to stop a player progressing down the wing, good job as well as Dabo needed treatment. Minutes later a great move saw the ball fall to Shipley on the edge of the area, he could always hit the ball and he did, it took a great block to prevent it on target. City kept pressing as Allsopp ballooned the ball into touch, “City, reject” I shouted as Graham told me to calm down. Festy was still a handful and went in on a 50/50 challenge with Hamer, the Dutchman won the ball, but Festy followed through and caught him earning a booking. Six minutes later same player went into the box, his second touch he fired off a shot but Wilson saved. It was mostly Derby with City defending. MR made his first changes off went Hamer to be replaced by Eccles and Jones replaced Shipley. City were still defending well as Derby moved the ball around. At the other end a Jones shot was blocked. Dabo was having a nightmare game, even going forward he couldn’t get it right. “Don’t give him the ball”, Graham, sitting on my right shouted. With a minute to go, Derby got into the box a good block saw the ball fall to one of their subs, Sam Baldock, but his shot was bravely closed down by Eccles. Gyökeres and O’Hare replaced Godden and Allen, as we went into injury time. Derby won a corner and Allsopp raced forward. It came in, an overhead was blocked, and the ball reared up to Allsopp whose header went over. The Sky Blues saw out the rest of the time without any dramas and made the 4th Round.

Man of the Match
1st Jake Clarke-Salter: Had to cover for Dabo, played well.
2nd Dominic Hyam: Won his defensive battles and scored.
3rd: Jamie Allen: Looked lively.

Huddersfield Town vs Coventry City

For the first time this season I had a full car after picking up Lisa and then Kev for a rare away trip I drove over to Leicester to pick up Paul who had left his Worthing home at 5 in the morning, it was like old times. We arrived at the ground and City fans were allowed in the ground for the first time since the early 90’s, a pre-season friendly. The line-up was Moore in goal, Kane and Dabo at wing backs, Hyam, McFadzean and Rose at centre back, in midfield was Kelly, Sheaf, Allen and O’Hare, with Godden up front.

Another packed away end saw the action start with City in the half and half pink tops. Status Quo’s hit “Rocking all over the world”, was given another airing, with the words “I like it, I I like it, I like it, I ler-ler-ler like it, ler-ler-ler like it, Simon Moore-or, in the City goal”. Godden had the first shot on target after a Kane cross. City were looking the better side as Sheaf put one wide and Kelly gave catching practice to their keeper. After 18 minutes a sweeping move from The Terriers saw the ball crossed to Danny Ward and the player that played 5 games 11 years ago, swept the ball home. It was against the run of play as we fell behind yet again. We had a chance to level almost immediately when O’Hare robbed a player and on the edge of the area only had the keeper to beat, he tried to chip the keeper but didn’t get enough hight on it. Godden then had one on target with another assist from Kane. City kept going and looking dangerous when Kane set up another chance with a cross met by O’Hare but his shot was straight at the keeper. Frustrating stuff in the away end. Into injury time Kelly was rugby tackled to the ground the ref immediately booked him for the reasons no one can understand before booking the assailant. Half time no goals, that means no goals again in both halves.

Town almost made it two early in the half when they hit the post from wide, it went out for a corner so Moore must have got a touch to it. City soon regained control and went forward, after 50 minutes Allen fired from outside the box and hit the post. Two minutes later City won a corner, played in by Kane straight to Hyam who’s header was tipped over. Town had a couple of halve chances at the other end. Sheaf had one on target as the chances kept coming. Just after the hour City won a free kick, Kane took it and Hyam met, but again the keeper lept to push it over. MR went for a double sub, as Walker and Maatsen came on for Sheaf and Dabo. This livened up the attack with Maatsen raiding down the left. The subs combined as Walker tested out their keeper, who was no doubt heading for man of the match on Sky. More head in hands as Kane delivered a corner and Hyam headed inches wide, the defender could have easily scored a hat trick. City kept plugging away, trying to break the massed ranks down. It was then Rose’s time to be frustrated with a save from the keeper after another Kane set piece. Jones replaced O’Hare who didn’t have a great game. The sub’s first action was to fire one in on target. Godden had one blocked before injury time came, surely not again? Former City youth player Josh Ruffles, who played twice for us, came on, chants of “City reject”, from Kev and myself. A minute later City attacked again their keeper came out to punch the ball out wide, Jones picked the ball up and swerved in a cross, Godden, unmarked got to the ball and headed it past their keeper to spark off mad celebrations in the away end as yet again another injury time goal. A minute later another chance as the ball fell to Godden in the area but he blasted it over. The ref blew up two minutes early to stop us winning it.

After the game I overheard some Huddersfield fans claiming “the goal was inevitable”

Man of the match
1st: Todd Kane: Set pieces, top notch
2nd: Jamie Allen: Played really well
3rd: Jodi Jones: Needs a start

Coventry City Vs Birmingham City

A game that generated a lot of excitement, at work at least. A large crowd of over 22,000 turned up for the game. The line up was Moore in goal, with Dabo, Rose, McFadzean, Hyam and Maatsen in defence, Hamer, O’Hare and Kelly in midfield with Godden and Gyökeres up front. Birmingham were in a horrible orange away kit, which describes their football, horrible.

The tone was set from the first minute when a two-handed shove on Godden was somehow missed by the officials. Kelly had the first effort before Birmingham shot over. The Sky Blues were looking the better side in a great atmosphere. Gyökeres had a shot saved before a great chance as a neat back-heel from O’Hare gave Godden a chance, his shot was pushed away by the keeper, unfortunately no City players were there for the tap-in. Both forwards had shots on target which were no trouble for the keeper. City won a corner and as it was going in Gyökeres seemed to hit the deck, replays showed his marker Sanderson and both hands on his shirt and gave an almighty pull, how the officials missed this blatant foul was beyond everyone in the ground. Coventry kept plugging away and an attack saw Gyökeres link up with Hamer, he entered the box and found Maatsen who’s shot was saved. McFadzean went on a Beckenbauer-like run that had the Blues defenders panicking. All Birmingham had to offer up front was a long throw in from their player Roberts, which they used time and again, they remind me of a League One side, thuggish like their manager. Hamer put a shot over from a free kick as Maatsen squared up to someone far bigger than him. The Blues started to waste time before Godden put one wide before the end of the first half.

Second half, it was the same story, one team trying to play football the other trying to shirt pull and push. Ten minutes in and Gyökeres got the ball wide and cut inside he had a clear run in on goal but was brought down, yellow card, if it was central Sanderson would have been off, then again he should of had a yellow in the first half for the shirt pull. One of their long throws almost worked but thankfully was put high. The Blues were wasting time looking for a 0-0 as City upped the tempo later on. Godden then had a chance, after a ball, he was heading away from goal, but suddenly turned and fired one on target, their keeper pulled off a great save. Hamer went down for some treatment and minutes later was taken off and replaced by Allen. Roberts then went into the book for a foul on Maatsen. With eight minutes to go City broke from a Birmingham attack, Maatsen, charge forward surrounded by three players he looked like he could beat them until his ankles were swiped from beneath him by Woods, we demanded a red card and too our surprise the ref agreed. The Blues didn’t like the fact they were caught out being thugs, as chief thug Bowyer had word with MR and they were both booked. Then a sub the highly rated but very poor looking Deeney was replaced by former City forward Jutkiewicz. Another great run from McFadzean caused problems. The Sky Blues kept plugging away and into injury time Walker came on to replace O’Hare. City had two chances, as Gyökeres blazed over and Walker had far more time than he thought and dragged a shot wide. Birmingham are the first side to come away from the CBS with a clean sheet and the worse side I have seen this season.

Man of the Match
1st: Ian Maatsen: Linked up well with the attack
2nd: Kyle McFadzean: Great at the back and going forward
3rd: Michael Rose: Helped the defence cope with the Blues’ long ball.

Sheffield United Vs Coventry City

This was my 17th visit to Brammall Lane, going right back to when an Brian Borrows penalty won the game. A good journey up but stuck in traffic in Sheffield, took an alternative route only to find myself stuck behind a hurst and a funeral possession, the normal car park had ben built over, but I found another one close to the ground. Inside the ground found out MR was only playing one up front, Gyökeres, with Allen and O’Hare in support, Hamer and Sheaf further back, Kane, Rose, McFadzean, Hyam and Dabo at the back and former United keeper Moore in goal.

Just before kick-off we were singing rude things about Sky TV, for forcing us to leave early. The first shot came from former City-favourite Jon Fleck, who put his shot wide. At the other end after a good ball from O’Hare, Sheaf had a shot on target. Good atmosphere in a packed out away end. Gyökeres then had a chance for a run into the area but was brought down, earning a booking for a defender. Hamer took the free kick putting it over. Sheaf was putting himself about and seemed to be winning over the City fans as a chant of “Sheaf, there it is”, rang out. Not long after a blocked shot by Dabo, Hamer went into the book, as some United players wanted him to be sent off. O’Hare then had a shot blocked as City were looking the better side. Gyökeres had a shot blocked before the end of not a great half for the Sky Cameras. The Blades fans booed their team off the pitch, a familiar sound at away games this season. No goals meant City were still searching to score in each half of a game this season.

Second half The Sky Blues attacked the end we were all sitting, admittedly not in our own seats. Gyökeres had a shot saved early on before Allen had one blocked but nothing to worry their keeper. Then in the 51st minute a scramble in the box and O’Hare went down, “dive” said the ref and booked him, the replays showed clear contact on O’Hare in the box, if he went down then he would have won a penalty. Veteran Billy Sharp had a shot blocked before United threw on former prolific scorer for us, David McGoldrick. MR then went for it taking off Gyökeres and Hamer and throwing on Godden and Walker and it was the former’s first action to get a shot on target. At the other end Gibbs-White just went wide, while McGoldrick had a better chance but fire it over. United were getting more into the game as Kelly replaced Sheaf. O’Hare gave more catching practice for the United keeper. Before United got one on target after 82 minutes. It was now mostly United, as they went close again. The from a free kick Gibbs-White got a shot away but was brilliantly saved by More. A couple of good blocks saw us to the end of the game and a good point.

Man of the match
1st: Ben Sheaf: There it is
2nd Simon Moore: Proving to be a great signing
3rd Kyle McFadzean: Sky MotM, was on United’s books but never played for them.

Coventry City vs Bristol City


A crowd close to 20,000 came to the CBS Arena to see if City could bounce back from our first home defeat, whilst Bristol lost at St Andrews the same night 3-0. The line up for City in midfield Sheaf, Hamer, O’Hare, with Godden and Gyökeres up front, at the back we had Moore with Maatsen, McFadzean, Rose, Clarke-Salter and Dabo in defence.

The Sky Blues started off defending the goal in front of the 3,000 visiting fans, but the first shot as a long ranger from Hamer was saved by the Robins keeper. City started to pepper the Bristol goal, as their defenders kept blocking shots, then Rose forced their keeper into a great save and the follow up shot was blocked. The home side were looking the better side and had appeals for a yellow when a Robins defender handled the ball as it was on its way into the box, but only got a free kick. O’Hare was then set free in the box but his shot was blocked. Then a nervy moment at the back as O’Dowda raced into the area, Moore ran out and slid in, the player went down but no penalty, as the keeper got a foot on the ball first. The officials were running the game far better than the ones on Tuesday as City were playing the football and Bristol relying more on the long ball. The Sky Blues kept the pressure up as Bristol handled the ball again, Paul complained they are more like a basketball side. Sheaf then had a shot blocked as the midfield two were playing well. Slowly, The Robins were getting into the game as the half went on. Godden had a shot blocked as we were trying to break down the Robins. Then right at the end of the half a great ball saw O’Dowda race clear in the box, there was a little tug by Maatsen, and the player went down, no doubt about the penalty or the following red card. City down to ten, Martin took the spot kick and sent Moore the wrong way, 1-0 to the visitors. The Sky Blues were rocking and not in the good sense as a minute later, confusion in the box and Moore pulled off a good save to keep City in it. At the other end City had a big shout for handball before the half came to a dramatic end.

The mood in the ground was decidedly down-beat, what would M.R. do, keep the same ten, take an attacking player off to go five at the back, soak up pressure and hit them on the break? What he did was switch to a back four, Dabo went to the left, Kane, who played 5 games on loan for the visitors in the 2014-2015 season, came on the right, with Clarke-Salter being withdrawn, this left City outnumbered in midfield.

The next goal was vital, and City kept the ball and tested Bristol. Five minutes into the half Gyökeres, burst into the area and was seemed to be brought down, the ref wasn’t going to point to the spot and it looked like the Swede was brought down again but with no reward, but then the ref looked over to his assistant who had signalled a penalty. City fans on their feet, the players surrounded the ref wanting the offending player to be booked, but he just gave a spot kick, Godden stepped to take the crucial kick, their keeper guessed the right way, but Matty’s kick was too good, and the ten men were level. The atmosphere went up a notch. Despite being outnumbered City still had control of midfield, with Sheaf and Hamer, spraying some great passes and mishitting some more basic ones, O’Hare was a handful at the sharp end and Kane was proving to be a useful outlet as well. Sheaf had a shot blocked before McFadzean was booked as he brought down a player near the box. It was a great atmosphere but then things went wrong as a shot came in Moore parried it, but didn’t get much distance on it, Chris Martin (not the one from Coldplay) squared it to Weimann for a tap in. McFadzean complained long and hard about an offside, but the goal looked good to me. Maybe Moore should have done better, but the player that played 11 games for Bristol in the 13-14 season is having a great season for us. That should have knocked the stuffing out of The Sky Blues and The Robins should have taken control, but City are 4th for a reason. We kept passing the ball as City looked like they had the player advantage. Another hand ball by the visitors before Walker (who never played for Bristol) replaced Gyökeres. City were pressing the away side back as Rose and Walker had shots blocked. With 15 to go City won a corner, the ball fell to O’Hare on the edge of the box and he moved in, then he unleashed a shot through a sea of legs and the ball hit the back of the net, at last a goal for Callum and the 16,000 City fans erupted. Bristol had a shot blocked. Could City hold on for a great point? Well, no, M.R. was going for it as Jones was lined up to come on, but Hamer went down with cramped and on came Kelly, who by the way played 21 games for them over two seasons between 2012-2014. Then with a minute to go a great break saw City race forward with 3 vs 2, Walker could have picked out O’Hare or Godden, but with me saying “be a hero Tyler”, he fired just wide from the edge of the area. Robins’ substitute Wells then became the 5th of their players to handle the ball, but for some reason the first to be booked for it. The free kick for the hand ball was taken, we were into stoppage time, the ball went backward, to the frustrations of many in the crowd, but City play football and not hoof ball, the ball went to Kane, he found Kelly, Liam threaded a ball into the box, Godden was ready and had already made a move, running to his right, he collected the ball swivelled and found the bottom corner. No one could believe what had just happen! The home sections were in raptures, as Godden ran towards the away end, changed his mind and raced toward the “Naughty Corner” taking his shirt off in the process. It was busy on social media posting to a friend and work colleague, who posted “the wheels have come off” at half time, with “The wheels are back on”. I looked up and Bristol were attacking, the ball went out for a throw in, and the ball boy threw it into the stand and got a cheer. The ref seemed to play well over the time allotted, but maybe he was right because of the goal, finally he blew his whistle for another dramatic win and one that will be remembered for years to come.

City players celebrated, Dabo gave a hug and lifted the ballboy into the air, another young fan raced onto the pitch to get Walker’s shirt, he was chased off by two stewards but Dabo was on hand to see the kid make it back into the stand.

Man of the match
A real difficult choice
1st: Callum O’Hare: Never stopped running and a goal
2nd Ben Sheaf: Maybe his best game.
3rd Matty Gooden: Two goals.

Coventry City vs Swansea City

So, apparently, we haven’t beaten Swansea since 1981, could we do it on a Tuesday night? The line up was Moore, Dabo, Hyam, McFadzean, Clarke-Salter, Maatsen, Hamer, Allen, O’Hare, Godden and Gyökeres.

Another good midweek crowd saw the game get underway. We first touched the ball after 54 seconds as Swansea like to keep possession. It was mainly the visitors knocking the ball around as City found it hard to get a grip. After five minutes a ball in was deflected off Clarke-Salter and fell to Jamie Patterson, the much-linked Coventry born forward beat Moore to give them an early lead. Two minutes later Hamer “took one for the team” bringing a player down from behind and receiving a yellow card. Swansea went close again as they were running our defence ragged. Then another Swans attack, a player seemed to be brought down in the box, but the ball fell to Piroe to make it 2-0. Replays shows Swansea were offside during the build-up, but maybe the linesmen are too scared to make a big call. Our unbeaten record was now under serious danger. The Sky Blues slowly got back into the game, not helped by the hopeless linesman on our side who seemed reluctant to make a decision. Godden had a shot blocked, then after 20 minutes Hamer played a great ball through to Gyökeres who was clear, their keeper, also called Hamer advanced to the edge of his box and kept out a shot as Gyökeres tried to place the ball over him. Five minutes later their defender Bennett was booked for a foul on O’Hare. Bennett was described by Oggy in the commentator’s booth as a player he is still quicker than. City won a corner and our Hamer delivered it and for the first time this season we scored, from this set piece as McFadzean headed home. The Sky Blues looked good going forward and Swansea looked very dangerous as well, it what was a good game. Swansea kept creating as our wingbacks seemed to be forever outnumbered. A few chances went for Swansea then in the 40th minute their keeper lost the ball and it fell to O’Hare, but with zero confidence in front of goal he could only hit it back to the keeper.

Half time City in with a chance.

City kept plugging away as Swansea were allowed to waste as much time as possible. Hamer went close to beating Hamer in goal, as we witnessed Hamer vs Hamer, which I thought was a 1979 film starring Dustin Hoffman. City forced their Hamer into a brilliant save. It was mostly Coventry, but the visitors looked dangerous on the counter. Then Gyökeres went close. With twenty to go Jodi Jones replaced Allen. City were finding it hard to break down Swansea. Swansea were still keeping the ball and had it for over three minutes nearer the end of the game. Walker came on at a very late stage, before injury time Dabo had a shot saved and that was it for our unbeaten record.

Man of the match
1st Gustavo Hamer: Some great passing
2nd Kyle McFadzean: Had a lot of work to do and scored
3rd: Jamie Allen: A good first half, helped to get City moving again.

Hull City Vs Coventry City


A journey up to Humberside in the rain ended with arrival at Hull’s ground. We have played five times here with three wins, a draw and one defeat for us. Hull are in a bad run and their manager Grant McCann was talking about performances over results. Today’s team was in goal Moore, with Dabo, McFadzean, Hyam, Clarke-Salter and Maatsen, in midfield we have Sheaf, Hamer and O’Hare, up front was Godden and Gyökeres. City were wearing the new away kit a homage to the famous 1970’s tramline kit, all in white with the “tramlines” in two-tone.

The Sky Blues started well spending more time in their half than they did in ours. After nine minutes Gyökeres made it into the box but was robbed of the ball by a well-timed tackle, but the ball fell to Maatsen, he swung in a great cross, Godden found himself unmarked and scored with a very good diving header. Five minutes later O’Hare put Godden through he advanced but their keeper got to it to prevent a goal. Hull responded a little when a deflected clearance fell to their forward Tom Eaves with a clear shot, but Maatsen got back to shut him out. A few minutes later a Hull player got to a cross with only Moore to beat, but Moore saved, but the player was offside anyway. There was a lot of holding by Hull’s defenders on Gyökeres, mostly missed by the ref. After 27 minutes Hamer went off to replace his boots, after not playing too well in his old ones. Then in another attacked Gyökeres fired in a shot that was pushed over.

Half time City comfortable with a goal lead the Radio Humberside commentator quoted Shania Twain with “that don’t impress me a lot”.

The second half started with City attacking the away end. Hamer had a shot blocked early on, before McFadzean headed over from a corner. Clarke-Salter then went on a rampaging run from his own box to near theirs before Eaves brought him down in a typical centre forward’s challenge. Hamer placed the freekick wide. “We want McCann out” chanted the home fans. City were looking solid at the back and The Tigers were looking clueless. The game fell into a pattern were both sides were finding it hard to get forward. City’s first sub saw Allen replace Godden, a bit of a surprise, but the change of formation and Allen’s energy got us up the park a bit more. A good move started by Allen that saw the same player blast over. Walker replaced Gyökeres. I was now getting nervous with ten to play as a slip could lose us the points. Kelly replaced Hamer to see out the game before Moore was called into action for the only time with a standard tip over the bar. Despite the pressure put on us, Hull never looked like scoring and the ref blew an end to the game and a win.

Not a great game, or great performance, but three points. The Hull fans on the phone-in after seemed to be fearing the worse and wanted their manager out.

Man of the match
1st: Ian Maatsen: Defended and attacked well
2nd: Jake Clarke-Salter: Had a good game at the back and went forward well.
3rd Dominic Hyam: Defended well

Coventry City vs Derby County

A crowd that would be too big for the “new” ground if ever it was built, turned up at The CBS for a league clash. Our team was; in goal, Moore, with Dabo, Clarke-Salter, McFadzean, Hyam and Maatsen at the back, Sheaf, Hamer and O’Hare in midfield with Gyökeres and the returning Godden up front. Derby are unbeaten in four, drawing three of them.

The game started evenly as both sides have the “pass the ball” mentality. Then after 19 minutes Dabo played in Godden and he was brought down in the box, penalty. We joked Godden would miss another two games with suspension, but it was a foul, Godden stepped up to score his 24th goal for the club. City then started to take control as Godden found Sheaf who shot wide. Maatsen set up Gyökeres whose shot was blocked. Then a great move saw Godden in with a great chance, until he put it wide, but a corner was given, the County keeper got his fingertips to the shot for a great save. Hamer then crossed for Godden to put it just wide. Hamer then set up O’Hare but his shot was blocked. Most of the half gone and incredibly O’Hare had yet to be fouled. Half time came with City on top but with only a goal lead.

Derby started the 2nd half with more of the ball, pressing City back, but Dabo got one on target and Gyökeres had a shot blocked. County were keeping the ball well and it was looking like another Preston. We were up on our feet later when a loose throw in by Derby was fed to Gyökeres, he seemed to be brought down in the box but no penalties, replays suggested it was a penalty. Derby threw on the dangerous Kazim-Richards. Derby kept pressing and City were struggling to get on the ball. Things were freshened up as Kelly replaced Sheaf and Walker came on for Gyökeres. On the 69th minute Derby came close as Kazim-Richards hit the post with a header and City defenders just got to the ball in time to clear. On a counter-attack O’Hare was hacked down outside the area, Hamer took the kick from some distance out and it was a great effort as the ball smacked against the crossbar, Godden was on hand to head home, but the linesman already had his flag up, Godden may have been a fraction offside. There was trouble in the away end as Derby fans tried to get over to the City fans, one so-called City fan may have started it by trying to get over to the away section. The inevitable then happed a deflected cross fell to Shinnie in our box, he controlled and finished, it was Derby’s only shot on target, but a goal they deserved. The game could have gone either way but in stoppage time Maatsen had a chance but fired high under pressure.

1st Matty Godden: Lets hope he keeps fit
2nd Gustavo Hamer: Great free kick
3rd Frankaty Dabo: Defender well and went forward.

Preston North End vs Coventry City

Another trip up the M6, two in a week but this time by coach. Inside the ground we infamously have never won a league game, I witnessed a battle between Belinda Carlisle and Norman Greenbaum. It wasn’t a fight between the two singers but a battle for their most famous songs in praise of Gyökeres. Heaven is a place on earth was quickly defeated by Spirit in the sky. The song goes, “We’ve got a big Swede on our side. Plays for City Sky Blue and white, scoring goals is what he does, and he goes by the name of Gyökeres”. Apparently, the lyrics was made up by a 7-year-old, I think another side sings the same song. Apart from “The big Swede” the others in the team were Walker up front, O’Hare in attacking midfield, Kelly and Hamer in midfield, Maatsen, Rose, McFadzean and Dabo at the back with Moore in goal.

Attacking the stand we were in North End had the first chance but Moore pushed away the shot that was on target. At the other end City had a shot blocked in a slow start to the game. Then a real blast from the past as “Go for it City” was loudly sung from the away end. The Radio Lancashire commentator said before kick-off “Stop O’Hare and you stop City”, it looked like he did the team talk as O’Hare was brought down at every opportunity and had very little protection from the referee. Hamer got one on target at the far end. Finally, a Preston player went in the book for another foul on O’Hare. PNE put one wide as Gyökeres had a shot on target. Then in the last minute of the half O’Hare got forward and found Walker in the area, he totally missed his shot but had another crack to place it in the top corner to give us the lead.

The 2nd half started with a couple of quick bookings one for them and one for Kelly. PNE then started to dominate led by midfielder Johnson. City defenders blocked three shots as we struggled to get forward. Then in a brilliant counterattack Gyökeres sent Walker through, the forward was hacked down on the edge of the area but was offside. We were hanging on then after the hour they levelled when defender Bauer powered in a header from a cross. City needed to make changes as Gyökeres, was having a poor game, from his high standards and Maatsen was struggling to get forward. Eight minutes later it was two, as North End took a quick free kick, City defenders were asleep, and Riis finished well. Our first ever league win here, now looked miles away. City then came to life and started to go forward more. Three subs were made off went Gyökeres, O’Hare and Kelly on came Waghorn, Allen and Sheaf. Waggy had a shot blocked but PNE were all too willing to waste time. With four to go Jacob Murphy came on, twin brother of Josh Murphy the former City loanee, the Sky Blues fans sang, “You’re just a s**t Josh Murphy”. The game ended and we have to wait until next season for that elusive league win there”.

All that was left was to face the M6 roadworks, got home at 1.20.

Man of the Match
1st: Callum O’Hare: Kicked and pushed all night
2nd Tyler Walker: Scored
3rd: Frakaty Dabo: Looked dangerous coming forward.

Blackburn Rovers Vs Coventry City

Planned this week for the best place to park and thanks to advice on Facebook found a car park just off the busy main road. The away pub was rammed and there was a queue, so we didn’t bother. Team news Clarke-Salter was out with Covid, Godden being the first player in the world to be suspended for a dive. The team was Moore in goal, Dabo, Rose, McFadzean, Hyam and Kane at the back, Kelly, Sheaf and O’Hare in midfield with Walker and Gyökeres up front. Fabio Tavares, the prolific U23 goal-scorer was on the bench. City were parading the new pink and black halves kit.

Backed by three and a half thousand fans, City attacked the far end in the first half. Gyökeres had the first shot that was blocked. It wasn’t long before City were looking the better side. Sheaf had a shot before after the 23rd minute their skilful wide player Nyambe turned Kane inside out and fired across the goal, but Moore got to it and pulled off a save. Walker had a shot at the other end. One guy behind me was constantly slagging Walker off calling him a “lazy b*stard”. Rovers did a lot of shirt pulling trying to contain Gyökeres but they were punished for a foul when Buckley chopped down Rose. A few minutes later Buckley fouled again resulting in a lecture from the ref, maybe not bad enough for a yellow. With six minutes to go Sam Gallagher played a great flick to Dolan who raced between two defenders and chipped the on coming Moore to give them the lead. Rovers now had the upper hand and had a couple of chances. We needed not to concede before half time but right on the 45-minute mark Sheaf lost the ball to Rothwell, he raced into the box and squared it to Gallagher who beat Moore despite the keeper getting a hand on it. I feared another Luton. Half time 2-0 to Rovers.

Special guest of the day at Ewood Park was none other than David Speedie.

People wanted Sheaf and Walker off to be replaced by Hamer and Waghorn. One change made by the manager was to swap Kane with Dabo at wingback. City were looking better as Kelly set up McFadzean to test their keeper. Moore saved one at the other in in a good contest. Inspired by the away following City kept going forward when after the hour Hyam drove forward and found Kane, he attacked and whipped in a great cross, Walker latched onto it and scored. I turned to the guy behind me and said, “lazy b*stard”, he blamed Walker for their two goals! Hamer came on and replaced Sheaf. Rovers star Chilean International forward, Poveda-Ocampo came on and spent most of the rest of the game on the ground. Eight minutes after the goal, Kelly fired off a rocket, it hit the post, rebounded off Kaminsky their keeper and it rolled slowly into the back of the net Walker tried to poach the goal but it beat him into the net. Madness in the away end I was hugged by two guys in front of me, one fan got onto the pitch. Now we felt we could win this. Gyökeres was now causing big problems at the back and in one moment raced into the area and was clipped, this stopped him getting to the ball but he stayed on his feet and didn’t get the right outcome of a penalty. O’Hare then had a run in the box but didn’t shoot and the chance was gone. Kane got a booking before Waghorn replaced Walker. Rovers were always dangerous on the counter, we had a few nervy moments at the other end but Rose with some blocks and a couple of good saves from Moore kept them out for a well-deserved point.

Man of the match
1st Liam Kelly: Never gives the ball away
2nd Simon Moore: Important saves
3rd: Viktor Gyökeres An assist in the 2nd goal and should have had a penalty

Coventry City Vs Fulham

It was a silly early kick off and with it persistently raining I went by car and got the last parking space in a social club some ten minutes’ walk from the ground. During my walk to the ground, I saw the line-up, Dabo back to replace Kane, Kelly in for the suspended and injured Hamer, Sheaf in for Allen and Godden replaced Waghorn who came down with Covid on Thursday. The rest of the team was Moore in goal, Clarke-Salter, McFadzean, Hyam and Maatsen in defence. Midfield had O’Hare and Gyökeres up front. Fulham a Premier League team last season was full of expensive signings including the league’s leading scorer Mitrovic who cost £22 million, that is more than the last 349 players that played for City cost. It was Jimmy Hill day against a side he played for and was chairman and a league fixture that hadn’t happened since 1967

City needed to bounce back from Luton and Fulham didn’t have the hight of Luton and liked to play football. Early on their number 7 took a number of dives whilst Mitrovic moaned somewhat. After ten minutes a good move saw City make it into the box with Maatsen and O’Hare having shots blocked. There seemed no hangover from Wednesday night as Kelly was winning and intercepting everything in midfield. City kept up the pressure as Fulham kept blocking the shots. They were happy to sit back and try to hit us on the break with some swift passing. The Cottagers looked dangerous when they got forward and it was the turn of City defenders to block shots. Fulham soon won a corner, it came over and was buried in the back of the net, unfortunately by McFadzean, but replays showed Mitrovic pulling on his shirt and the goal should have been ruled out, but a tough one for the officials to spot. City responded well to going behind and some delightful one-touch football saw us advance down the right, before the ball went out. It was a good game and Moore dived to push one around the post, one for the cameras. Despite the hard work from the Sky Blues, Fulham were looking solid. Then a great moved saw Maatsen enter the area unmarked, but a Fulham defender got a great block in conceding a corner. Half time Fulham a goal up, we all said we would settle for a point.

At half time on the boards a tribute to Jimmy Hill, after all it was Jimmy Hill Day, this received a warm round of applause form the people in the ground.

Second half and the rains still pouring down. City came out on fire, despite the rain and pressed Fulham high up, in a way Luton did with us and after two minutes the reward, O’Hare, got a toe to the ball as a defender hesitated, it ran to Godden, he played O’Hare clean through, a great chance to score, but he squared it to Gyökeres who rolled it into the net for the equaliser, knee slide everyone celebrating, Fulham fans went quiet. Fulham were rattled and City could taste blood. Three minutes later Godden had the ball in the area and was brought down, stonewall penalty and the ref gave it, but looking back on the highlights it was a blatant dive from Matty, but it made up for the foul for their goal. Godden took and sent the keeper the wrong way, suddenly we were in the lead. Fulham responded well to the double blow and had a lot of possession, but City were standing firm, our three central defenders were keeping the 22-million-pound man under wraps whilst Kelly along with Sheaf were sweeping everything up in front of them. The “on our way” song boomed out from the home fans, as Fulham sang it in the first half. City now could counter and after the hour a sweeping move saw a brilliant ball to Dabo he swung in a great cross the ball found Maatsen his first touch took it into the area before blasting it passed the keeper for, incredibly 3-1. “What a waste of diesel”, I sang to the disappearing fans from London. It was a great goal and Ian looked delighted at scoring his first goal and he should it was a cracker. No one could quite believe what was going on City were steamrollering Fulham. Maatsen then picked up a booking meaning he will miss the next game. Minutes later Mitrovic went down and after not getting the decision spat his dummy out and the ref booked him for descent, he kept moaning as we wanted him to be sent off. After 70 minutes another swift counterattack saw Godden play a brilliant ball behind the defenders Gyökeres, got to it first, getting the bottom of his boot on it to divert it passed their keeper for 4-1! This was incredible stuff. City were now dominating a demoralised Fulham side and Gyökeres looked set for a hattrick his shot was goal bound but their keeper pulled off a brilliant save. The City players were enjoying the game with O’Hare back to his best I hoped he could open his goal scoring account this season. Meanwhile some Fulham fans were trying to get into the Main Stand for an argument as they are recent Premier League and shouldn’t be losing to a team as lowly as us. The “We’ve got Michael Doyle, Kelly in the middle song” rang out, a song first heard at Barnet. Walker replaced Gyökeres before the final whistle and another win.

Back to the car and the gap to get out was too narrow, for two of us leaving, thankfully the other went into the club and got someone out and we could leave, 50 minutes to get home, by car, it takes me 20-minutes by bike.

Man of the Match
1st: Liam Kelly: A class act in League Two, One and the Championship
2nd: Callum O’Hare: Tormentor in chief.
3rd Viktor Gyökeres: If Mitrovic in worth 22 mill how much is Viktor worth?

Luton Town vs Coventry City

One of the only advantages for an away game in Luton that it is not too far away. Left at 5 and street-parked with just over an hour to go. Met Paul, who made it up from the south by train in easily the worst ground in the Championship. It’s a team we have played in five divisions, The Southern League and the four flights of the football league. With three games in a week it was a bit of a surprise the team stayed the same, Moore in goal, Kane, Hyam, McFadzean, Clark-Salter and Maatsen in defence, Hamer, Allen and O’Hare in midfield with Waghorn and Gyökeres up front.

The Hatters had the tallest team I’ve seen this season even making our central defenders look small. They attacked from the off and their basketball player sized forward Adebayo got past Clark-Salter and the defender brought him down, penalty. Replays showed the foul was outside the area, no V.A.R. so Adebayo took the kick, Moore went the right way but couldn’t get to it, 1-0 to Town. “Its still early”, we were saying. Hamer was brought down twice early on but no action from the ref. City were struggling to get on the ball as Luton were playing the high press really well. It was all Luton as City were just about staying in the game. Then after being kicked around Hamer made a foul and was booked meaning he will miss the Fulham game. The free kick came in and Cornick headed the 2nd, it was starting to look like a long night. Before the game got back underway it was held up as the medical staff went over the other side of the away end. Eight minutes later they wheeled a City fan off the pitch on a stretcher with an oxygen mask, he was moving on the stretcher and was conscious. City still couldn’t get into the game as Luton dominated, with their hight winning most headers. Thirty minutes it got worse as Berry scored, a player that once scored a hat trick against us whilst playing for Cambridge. “What a waste of diesel”, sang the Luton fans, best chant of the night. City started to have a bit more of the ball as Viktor even got a touch or two. City won a series of corners but to no avail. Then deep in injury time Cornick put in a low cross and Adebayo had a tap-in for number 4!

Second half saw Hamer replaced before he picked up a red card, on came Sheaf. City were a bit better in the 2nd half, but Luton already had it won. The Twist and Shout song boomed out from the away end, our song of defiance. Moore saved one before City had a shot on target. Then Berry robbed Sheaf and passed to Cornick he finished to make it five. Walker and Rose came on for Gyökeres and Fadz. Luton kept the pressure on but they couldn’t add to the score.

Back to the car and found out a car was parked very close to the front and the back, managed to manoeuvre my way out, highlight of the night. Had a good run back.

Man of the match
1st: No one
2nd: The away fans praised by Radio Five for sticking with the team
3rd: The medical staff at Kenilworth Road.

Coventry City Vs Peterborough United


SO I joined 20,000+ crowd for a Friday night game to see if we could go top of the table. The main talking point was whether former forward Johnson Clarke-Harris would play for The Posh. He was handed a four-match ban for historic postings he did during his troubled younger days. Canny Darren Ferguson put in an appeal meaning the forward could play tonight. Just two changes as Waghorn came in for Godden and Allen was in for Sheaf. The rest of the team was Moore in goal, Kane, McFadzean, Hyam, Clark-Salter and Maatsen in defence. The other midfielders were O’Hare and Hamer with Gyökeres up front. Before the game City “took the knee” whilst The Posh stood arm-in-arm.

It was a cracking atmosphere at the CBS as the game got underway. Kane whipped in a couple of good early crosses in the opening minutes. Then in the 11th minute the first chance as Gyökeres slipped the ball to O’Hare but the player couldn’t get enough power on it to trouble the visiting keeper. Posh’s main danger came from Dembele as player that always plays well against us, going back to L2 days when he turned out for Grimsby. The referee seemed to be favouring the away side and Dembele missing some tackles on O’Hare. Posh got more into the game and put one wide. City kept up the pressure then had a chance as the ball fell invitingly to Kane, but he showed why he is a defender by blasting the ball wide. On the 19th minute O’Hare seemed to be brought down, either on the edge of the area or just in it, the ref didn’t want to know. It was mostly City but United were defending in depth. Then Hamer went close with a shot that went just over the bar. A real chance then as Kane cut in at the by-line and drove the ball across the 6-yard box, O’Hare tried to make contact with a back flick, but missed, any contact it would have been in. Then we were all on our feet screaming for a penalty, Maatsen got by his player into the box and seemed to be pushed down, a clear penalty, we thought, but not the ref. Dan Butler was booked for Peterborough after a foul on the division’s most fouled player, O’Hare. Hamer went just over with a freekick before Waghorn should have done better with a shot. Half time no goals.

The second half started with one United player without a number on his back, I called him Freeman, as “I am a freeman and not a number”, from the Prisoner. After a couple of blocked Posh shots City took over again. Gyökeres ran at the defence turning one way and another before firing wide. The Sky Blues were now piling on the pressure as a Gyökeres shot was somehow blocked on the line. Allen then had a shot blocked it seemed only a matter of time. In the 57th minute City counter-attacked from a corner, the ball went to Maatsen, his cross found Waghorn whose shot was parried by the keeper, but Hamer was on hand to drive the ball home for his first goal of the season. “WE, ARE, top-of the league, I said WE ARE top-of the league” sang the City fans together with the Hamer song, as West Brom were losing. Four minutes later and the buzz for the goal still around the arena Kane drove in a cross and Gyökeres had a tap-in for number two. “We’re top of the league; we’re top of the league” sand the more modern version of the “top of the league song”. Maatsen then played in Gyökeres whose shot was saved as the wheels were coming off Posh. Then a lose pass was intercepted by Waghorn who had a break. He had Gyökeres to his right and O’Hare to his left, he played in the Swede and his shot took a deflection to make it three goals in seven minutes. Seven league goals in his first nine league games, only achieved 11 times in the past the last time by Callum Wilson, eight years ago. As you might imagine City fans were loving this, nightmares about J C-H scoring seemed unlikely as Fadz and gang kept him bottled up. Later on it was great to see Kelly back on as Hamer went off with an injury, Walker then came on and so did Jones for a run out. Then in injury time Harrison Burrows (what is it with Peterborough players with more than one surname?) broke into the box but Moore was out quick to save with his foot. Full time came with City top for 15 minutes as WBA won and knocked us down to a mere 2nd place.

Man of the Match
1st: Gustavo Hamer: Ran midfield and scored
2nd Ian Maatsen: Excellent game
3rd: Kyle McFadzean: Snuffed out any danger from posh

Coventry City vs Middlesbrough

Quite a week for me, Tuesday 30th of August had a mild sore throat that cleared up quickly, the following Thursday had my bi-weekly Covid test, Saturday it came back POSITIVE! So I was out of circulation with the dreaded virus. No symptoms to speak of. NHS said isolation ended this Friday so could go to the game at least. Joined the 18,515 crowd at the CBS for a tough test against the nice Mr Warnock’s team from Smogtown. The line up for City was Moore in goal, with Dabo, Hyam, McFadzean, Clarke-Salter and Maatsen in defence, Hamer, Allen, O’Hare in midfield with Gyökeres and Waghorn up front.

The game started evenly, but the first chance fell to City when Allen, picked out Waghorn in the box only for the forward to fire over. The away side’s giant forward Ikpeazu fell over in the box, no penalty rightfully, but no doubt Warnock would moan about it. At the other end Moore did well to save a shot that took a deflection. City slowly started to look the better side. Dabo then found room and picked out Waghorn, his shot was blocked by their keeper the ball came back to O’Hare whose shot was blocked and it fell to Allen who looked to have an easy chance to score but somehow a Boro defender got a block in and deflected it over the crossbar. Hyam then went close with a cross on his head from a corner. Hamer went into the book after a 50/50 tackle, no real complaints. It was the final ball that was letting City down apart from that we looked in control with Allen playing surprisingly well in the middle, against a team who seemed to have every player over six foot. One of their players went into the book, on a nice day with many looking forward to seeing three out of the seven Specials play in the Arena later that night. Middlesbrough saw out the first half and even tested Moore with a header near the end of the first 45.


No doubt after a good moaning too Boro came out stronger in the 2nd half and should have taken the lead, Ikpeazu had a chance but Moore kept him out, the ball fell to Jones with the goal at his mercy he fired and Moore saved again, the ball fell to Hernandez who look like he couldn’t miss but somehow Moore threw himself in front of that and it deflected off him for a corner. the custodian needed treatment after Fadz kicked him attempting to block the final shot. After that City had the upper hand again as Hyam had a header saved after a Hamer cross. The defender then showed good skill and determination in bringing the ball out of defence. Waghorn had a shot blocked as I thought it was time to replace Waggy with Godden. Boro made a couple of changes, taking off the dangerous Ikpeazu after being nullified by the City defence, before Bamba got a booking. The Reds went close with a shot as the game could still go either way. Around the 70th minute mark Boro won a corner, The Sky Blues defended it well and set up a counter-attack, the ball fell to Allen he played a great ball to Gyökeres, he broke free resisting and attempting foul, now he had a run in with the keeper, I wasn’t confident he would score, he rounded the keeper, but had two defenders back on the goal line, his shot dissected them both and City were in the lead. Another goal for Gyökeres and another hard working performance. Soon the “We’re on our way song was sung”. “We’re on our way, we’re on our way, to The Premiership we’re on our way”. Another booking for Boro until Rose replaced Clarke-Salter. Then O’Hare raced forward and was brought down PENALTY! Or so we thought until the ref pulled it back for a free kick on the edge of the area, Hamer took it and forced the keeper to tip it over the bar. With seven to go Todd Kane came on for his debut replacing Maatsen who had another good game. Dabo switched to the left. Kane’s first action was to win the ball with a great tackle. Kane then set up Gyökeres for a shot. Into injury time and City went forward, Dabo battled for the ball down the wing, he somehow emerged from two Boro players and found Gyökeres, he picked out Waghorn, he raced into the box did a little step-over before blasting the ball past the keeper for his first goal and our third in injury time. The game was settled, and everyone was delighted Waggy had broken his duck, he was immediately replaced by Godden. The game ended with a 2-0 win and a top-six place.

Man of the match
1st Jamie Allen: Never thought I would have seen him as a City player this season, he is proving me wrong
2nd Simon Moore: Some great saves
3rd Viktor Gyökeres: A handful, a goal and an assist.

Queens Park Rangers Vs Coventry City


After traveling by car for the first away game, then by train for the second it was by coach I made my way to London for the clash against QPR. It was my 13th visit to the ground that was called Loftus Road and the first for ten seasons. It was a sell out in the away end as City lined up with Moore in goal a back five of Dabo, Hyam, McFadzean, Clarke-Salter and Maatsen, midfield of Sheaf, Hamer and O’Hare with Gyökeres and Waghorn up front. Rangers had Sam McCallum starting for them and George Thomas on the bench.

City started well attacking the far end with Gyökeres getting a shot blocked. Waghorn then set Maatsen up for an effort on target. City were attacking well and carving Rangers open as three well hit shoots were blocked before O’Hare forced their keeper into a save. Waghorn had then a shot blocked. The home side soon settled and went forward themselves with a couple of blocked shots. QPR was now having most of the play but City were looking more dangerous, then a blatant dive in the centre circle the guy threw himself to the ground with no one around, no booking because it was the ref that fell over, much to the delight of the crowd, apart from that he had a good game in the middle. Another good move saw Hamer with a chance but again their keeper was having a good game and turned it over. Rangers then won a free kick outside our area, it looked like Chair (another household object playing against us!) was aiming for his teammates at the far post but instead arrowed the ball to the right, Moore leapt and pushed it onto the bar and out for a corner, a great save. At the other end City had a corner, it was repelled but Hamer swung a cross back in and McFadzean just missed with a header. Half time no goals everyone happy with the performance. Radio London picked out Gyökeres and O’Hare as City’s dangermen.

Second half the singing kept going as Sports Talk commented on how loud the City fans were. City started off well again as O’Hare threaded Waghorn through, but his shot was saved by their keeper. City had a series of corners but couldn’t create anything. Dabo was also having a good game keeping McCallum quiet and raiding down the right. On the hour mark the first subs, surprisingly off came Gyökeres, he looked disconsolate as he trudged around the pitch and off, also off was Waghorn as Gooden and Walker came on. Minutes later QPR had a corner and from a scramble a player that just came on from the bench, Dykes hit a long range shot along the ground to give the home side the lead. A tired looking Clarke-Salter was then removed after picking up a yellow for a booking, on came Allen as Sheaf dropped back. QPR now had the momentum and were on the front foot as Barbet had a shot well saved by Moore but the ball stuck in the area and the same player was on hand to make it two. In injury time Dabo put the ball inches wide before the ref blew for full time. The away fans applauded the team off, a big improvement when we played their last season.

Man of the Match (according to the fans on the back seat of the coach and Paul via text)
1st: Frankaty Dabo: Raided well
2nd Viktor Gyökeres: A handful
3rd: Ben Sheaf: The surprise packet this season.

Coventry City vs Reading


Expecting thunder and heavy rain I took a last-minute decision to drive to the game but the BBC were wide of the mark, one thing more predictable, this season, so far is the performances of City. With two centre backs out the side was shuffled, Maatsen and Da Costa as the wing backs, Hyam, McFadzean and Dabo as the centre backs. The rest of the team was as normal, Moore, Hamer, Sheaf, O’Hare, Gyökeres and starting up front was Waghorn. The Royals hadn’t had the best of starts as they visited The CBS in front of 16,000+ fans.

City almost had the perfect start when Gyökeres was left unmarked, but his header was saved by the Reading keeper. Hyam was first into the book with a mistimed tackle. Reading had their first shot before City tried again. The Sky Blues were looking dangerous down the wings whilst Reading were sitting back hoping to hit us on the counter. Then in the 16th minute City came ever so close, Gyökeres had a shot blocked, it fell back to him and he looped his second shot over the keeper only for it to hit the post, City hit the woodwork yet again. City were defending well, with the sitting midfielders breaking up most attacks before they got to the defence. With City on top another great chance, O’Hare had a shot this was parried by the keeper, the shot rebounded to him and the follow up shot went straight to Rafael in the goal. The Sky Blues kept up the pressure and in the 33rd minute won a corner, Hamer delivered this, and it fizzed across the six-yard box and out for a goal kick, a touch and it would have been in the back of the net. Later Moore caught a good cross after a rare Reading attack. Then with 5 minutes to go the sucker punch, Reading countered and Swift was sent through, he was challenged by Dabo and went down, do doubt by me and the people around it was a penalty. Swift took the pen and sent Moore the wrong way to give them a lead against the run of play. Maatsen picked up a yellow card late on before a Gyökeres shot was saved.

Things were a touch mor even in the 2nd half, but Reading were already time wasting, “it would be justice if we got a 97th minute winner”, I thought. Sheaf had a shot go wide. Reading had a couple of half chances. The first Reading player went into the book as The Sky Blues started to get on top again. Da Costa showed great skill in beating a player on the touchline. Reading was forced into a substitution, but instead of exiting at the closest point, the injured player, help by the physio hobbled along the touchline much to the anger of the City supporters. After a couple of corners for City, MR threw on Allen and Godden for Da Costa and Waghorn, Sheaf dropped back into the back five. Seconds after the change Gyökeres squared the ball to Allen who volleyed it first time, Rafael got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out and City were level. Now it was all City Godden had a shot blocked, before more heroic defending prevented City players getting clean strikes on goal. City fans were in full voice singing the O’Hare and Hamer songs, it was the later that took a corner, straight to Gyökeres, his flick header forced a good save from the Royals’ keeper. A scintillating run by Sheaf, carried the ball many yards as he was having his best game for the club so far. Another Reading player went into the book as it was backs-to-the-walls for them. O’Hare went in the book as he brought down a player attempting to break free. Godden put one high as we were in the last ten minutes. We then saw the sight of their manager frantically waving his players to stay back in their own half and defend. Three great blocks in a matter of seconds by the away side in the 90th minute still kept Reading level. Six minutes of injury time for another dramatic winner. O’Hare was taken out with a desperate challenge resulting in a yellow card, a minutes later Mitrovic, a Reading coach was booked for protesting over a handball decision not going their way, Sheaf soon followed into the book, before Hamer also had his name taken. Then deep into time City lost the ball in our own half and Reading had three on three but thankfully Moore saved it conceding a corner. The corner came in and was headed over. Moore took the goal kick, it went to Hamer, he drove forward, found O’Hare, he passed it straight to Godden, the forward raced forward and slotted the ball past the keeper and incredibly City had snacked a victory in injury time again.

Man of the Match
1st: Ben Sheaf: Best game for the club, proving his critics, like me wrong
2nd: Gustavo Hamer: A danger from set pieces
3rd: Matty Godden: A goal on his return from injury.

Barnsley Vs Coventry City


So, my 10th trip to Barnsley for the first away game of the season. The carpark Steward seemed pleased to see us as he instructed me to park near “the not so good-looking guy in the hi-vis”, in his Yorkshire accent. The line-up was in goal Moore, with Dabo and Maatsen as the wingbacks, McFadzean, Hyam and Rose in the centre, Hamer and Sheaf in midfield, O’Hare in the advance positions, with Gyökeres up front and Walker was the only survivor from the starting line-up up in the League Cup defeat against Northampton. The Tykes finished last season in the Play-offs, so a tough game was expected. Pre-match we gave a minute’s silence for the Barnsley fans that had died since the last time fans were allowed in at Oakwell.

It was a good start for City attacking the far end when Gyökeres set up O’Hare who fired wide. Barnsley then put a header wide. City fans soon had a new song based on the Billy Ray Cyrus ditty “Achy breaky heart”. It goes, “We’ve got O’Hare, Callum Callum O’Hare, I don’t think you understand, we’ve got him on a free, to play for the Cit-y, Callum Callum O’Hare”. On the quarter of an hour mark Walker went down, he left with what looked like a dislocated shoulder, Waghorn came on to replace him. City won a free kick and Hamer got it onto the head of Fadz who put it just wide. At our end a shot from a Barnsley player was blocked. At the other end it looked like a goal Maatsen crossed and Gyökeres whacked the ball with a volley onto the crossbar, I was half celebrating, I turned to the guy next to me and said, “How did he miss?”, he put his arm around me, never seen the guy before in my life, only in football grounds can this happen. O’Hare then put one over as he was proving to be a real handful and was picked out to be kicked by Barnsley players. Meanwhile their players seemed to hit the deck at every opportunity. Then with six minutes to go a ball was played through our defence and Dominic Frieser left our defence cold (obligatory pun) and raced on to beat Moore to give them the lead, it was their 1st shot on target. O’Hare then set up Maatsen for a shot that was blocked. Half time a goal down.

The Tykes had a few half chances early in the 2nd half, but nothing on target. Palmer then was booked for fouling O’Hare. The City started to get more into the game and got control of the midfield. Then from a corner a Rose header was blocked before Sheaf set up Waghorn who headed wide. It was now all City as O’Hare crossed for Waghorn to head wide. Sibbick now went into the book for a foul on O’Hare, as it was kick O’Hare to stop him policy. From the freekick Hamer, floated the ball over the wall and forced the keeper to tip it over. Hamer then had a blast from distance but put it wide as the City fans were encouraging the team forward and we really deserved to be at least level, with a team, to quote Steven Pressley, “played dinosaur football”. Freiser, then opened the door for Dabo, the light went on and he was booked (sorry can’t resist the puns). City made the first change with Jake Clarke-Salter, yet another Chelsea loanee replaced Rose in defence and Allen replaced Sheaf. Styles then hacked down O’Hare, yet another booking. Woodrow and Collins soon followed into the book as they were kicking Callum more than the ball, He then put a shot wide after a cross by the impressive Maatsen. Barnsley’s Benson then had a dilemma, O’Hare was nowhere near him so he fouled Dabo instead picking up a booking. Then Liam Kitching (seriously then got players called Kitching and Freiser in the same side, does their manager pick his team on comic potential?). Kitchen sieved down O’Hare, O’Hare sick of being kicked all over the place squared up to Kitchen and the ref booked them both. “You just a bunch of dirty Northern b***tards”, was sung more than once during the game. Then into injury time Allen went down into the box, the ref wasn’t interested but seconds later, on advice from a linesman gave a penalty, Gyökeres stepped up to take it but the keeper saved it and O’Hare couldn’t force it in from a narrow angle, so unjust. The game ended and no one was quite sure how Barnsley got away with it.

Man of the match
1st Callum O’Hare: Just far too good for Barnsley to handle
2nd Ian Maatsen: Good control, good attacking, impressive
3rd Gustavo Hamer: Helped City to dominate, unlucky with the freekick.

Coventry City vs Nottingham Forest


WE ARE BACK. We finally returned to Coventry after two seasons out and it was great to be back with 20,000+ other fans. Got to the ground early to get in. Soon made my way up to my seat and the regulars were back, Graham and his grown-up kids, Keith with his grandson and Paul all away from Worthing, great to see them all. It was a good atmosphere in the ground, the team in goal making his debut Simon Moore, Hyam, McFadzean in the central defensive position, surprisingly they were joined by Dabo playing there. Wing backs was Da Costa, playing in front of a Coventry crowd for the first time, Ian Maatsen, a Chelsea loanee making his debut. In midfield two players playing in front of City fans for the first time Sheaf and Hamer, the later many thought we would never see play. O’Hare was playing in the attacking midfield position, up front we had Martin Waghorn making his debut and the former loan player from Brighton Gyökeres. Before the game we had a tribute to club legend George Curtis.

The game got underway to a roar from both sets of fans. It was a slow start for both sides as Waghorn was caught offside. Waggy then had a shot blocked, but Forest were looking the better side as City were struggling up front. O’Hare had a shot go wide before Lyle Taylor, the hair dyed Forest frontman put one wide, he was a constant threat, but the ref wasn’t falling for him falling over all the time. Lolley then had a shot blocked, no doubt the fans would give Lolley stick after that. Forest were still looking the better side with City finding it hard to get forward. Mighten then drove forward for Forest before Sheaf brought him down and could have no arguments about the yellow card. Then Forest launched a quick counterattack through Johnson, he crossed low for Taylor to send home in front of the Forest fans. They looked the better side and deserved the lead. City were finding it hard to get forward, but Gyökeres had a shot on target. Forest almost made it two late on but Moore spread himself to stop Johnson. Half time came with Forest in control we needed changes.

Sub at half time on came Rose, for Da Costa, with Dabo switching to his normal right wingback position. McFadzean then went into the book for stopping a player going on a run. Forest had a shot blocked but City were looking better. Sheaf had a shot that hit the post. Waghorn had a shot blocked as the City fans started to get behind the team with the “Twist and shout” song. The players were feeding off this was Forest were starting to waste time. MR rang the changes on came former Forest player Walker and to tremendous applause on came Jodi Jones, after so long out, he replaced a tiring Maatsen. This lifted the fans even more and a big roar went up when Jones got the ball. City were getting more into the game with O’Hare his usual bundle of energy. City were looking more solid at the back as Rose was playing well and Fadz winning most things. With nine minutes to go a great ball from Hamer picked out O’Hare wide, he tricked his way into the box, finding Sheaf, his shot was blocked but it fell to Gyökeres who rifled it home to get everyone jumping, our first competitive goal in Coventry since Shipley scored against Shrewsbury in 2019. City now had the crowd fully behind them as Forest were being pressed back and looked under pressure. Dabo won a free kick, it was sent in and McFadzean got a header in but straight to their keeper. City were still looking the most likely as we entered six minutes of injury time. Right at the end of the injury time O’Hare was fouled, Hamer took the kick and picked out Hyam, whose header looked goal bound until Samba in the Forest goal kept it out, the ball fell to O’Hare whose goal bound shot was block, the ping pong continued as McFadzean volleyed it back in and their keeper got a hand on it but the ball spun into the net, mad scenes all around the ground, the exact reason we go to football for as we celebrated with our friends. City saw out the remaining minute to grab a great win.

Players celebrated with the fans after the game, it means a lot to them as well.

Man of the Match
1st: Callum O’Hare: Started were he left off last season
2nd Viktor Gyökeres: Got better as the game went on
3rd Kyle McFadzean: A rock at the back and a winning goal.

Rochdale vs Coventry City


Another long dive but this time up the horrible M6 in more windy conditions. Got to Spotland in good time to hear the team news as Marosi in goal with Dabo, Rose, Hyam, McFadzean and McCallum at the back, Kelly and Walsh holding with Allen and O’Hare as the attacking midfielders with Godden up front.

I took my seat next to Paul who was up from Worthing to visit his daughter so he could attend. The pitch wasn’t in the best of state as a large following housed in the side stand was creating a good atmosphere. We attacked the right-hand goal and won an early corner; this was cleared to Walsh who arrowed a cross straight back in and Rose steamed in, to head past their keeper to give us a dream start. “We’re top of the league”, we sang. The home side were wobbling and City were looking for a 2nd when Walsh had a shot blocked. Rochdale got over their bad start and they have the same football philosophy as us, passing the ball at the back waiting for gaps. They a chance as Walsh gave the ball away but Hyam slid in to win a 50/50 challenge to prevent a shot. There top player is Henderson who has been at that club since we first entered this Division and he then went close. McCallum then went into the book a little harshly perhaps. At our end Allen went close. It was a good game when the home side almost scored as Henderson headed the ball Marosi managed to push the ball onto the post for a good save. O’Hare was a handful for Dale and he set up Godden whose shot was blocked. Another player with plenty of room was McCallum whose cross found Walsh and his shot was saved before an Allen shot was blocked. The home side was forced into a change as one of their players was injured. A Dale player went into the book. O’Hare had a shot blocked before Marosi saved before the half ended with City looking comfortable.

Rochdale had another player off injured before the start of the half. This started strongly as City tried to catch them on the break and one attack saw O’Hare move away but was hauled back by a defender who was booked. Allen put one wide as we looked for a second goal. Then somehow City didn’t score as a long McCallum throw was flicked on and Godden met it but their keeper kept it out point blank. Robins was about to make changes to see us through to victory as Shipley and Biambou were ready to replace Godden and Allen but the manager’s plans were wrecked in a good way as Allen found Gooden and his shot beat their keeper for the vital two goal lead. We were still celebrating when Dale pumped a longball down the pitch defenders left it and their 3rd sub Wilbraham was left unmarked to score. The home side had the bit between the teeth but they were struggling to break us down. Godden nearly got his second but his shot was blocked. Despite having a lot of the ball City were standing firm. Biambou and Shipley finally came on to see the game out. 90th minute and Rotherham retook the lead and knocked us off top stop again. Deep into injury time they won a corner and their keeper came forward but City won the header and the ref blew his whistle for full time. Another win and a gap is now opening up between us and the 7th placed team.

Man of the Match
1st Callum O’Hare: Constant danger
2nd Michael Rose: Defended well and scored
3rd Sam McCallum Did well down the flanks

Southend United Vs Coventry City

It was Storm Dennis today as there was only two of us in the drive down to Essex. We found a good parking space for making our way into Roots Hall to escape the rain. The Blues are the worse team in the division and would be bottom if it wasn’t for Bolton’s points deduction but United are unbeaten at home in the last four home games. The line-up was Marosi in goal, Dabo, Rose, McFadzean, Hyam and McCallum in defense with Shipley, Westbrook, Walsh and Kelly in midfield with Godden up front. Meanwhile The home side had my favorite name for any player in Brandon Goodship. A quick blast of the Sky Blue as the team was warming up. A drummer moved in a couple of rows behind us to make some noise.

The game got under way as we were well sheltered in the end stand. We attacked the far end in the first half. It was Goodship who had the first chance with a run but his shot was wide. City were knocking the ball around well but Southend were compact and not giving anything away. The game wasn’t great but we had a nervy moment when Kelly misplaced a pass straight to Egbri he made it into the are and fired a shot but McFadzean put it a great block to prevent a shot on target. There was a close moment when Godden got clear but their keeper was quick off the line to get to the ball first. City kept plugging away at the other end and then came close when Shipley had a shot that hit the woodwork. Walsh then had a shot that went wide. The wind was at the back of Southend and they were trying to use the wind but too often the wind won. A volley was kept out by a flying save from their keeper. After half an hour Dabo went into the book that looked like a revenge tackle. City were looking the better side but were struggling to break them down. City then won a free kick taken by Walsh and again the woodwork kept it out before Westbrook fired it over the bar. Both Hyam and Rose had headers on target before the half came to an end.

Radio Essex was impressed saying we were better in every department apart from the final ball. Meanwhile the two teams that started before us were losing.

Second half we attacked the end the thousand plus fans in the barreled roof away end. It was the home team that came out the stronger, no doubt their manager Sol Campbell told them to up their game. City had a couple of shots blocked as their wingers were trying to get beyond our wingbacks. We defended two corners but couldn’t get out of our half. MR decided on a tactical change so off went Shipley and Westbrook to be replaced by O’Hare and Biambou to give us a more attacking look. The changes worked a dream as McCallum found O’Hare the guy with a head bandage charged forward, jinxing his way into the box before sliding the ball past their keeper to give us the lead and to spark off celebrations. “We’re top of the league, we’re top of the league”, we sang. This didn’t last long because Rotherham levelled in their game seconds later and we were back to second. Southend’s brief revival was over and The Sky Blues were back in charge as we belted out the “We’re on our way”, song and “pump it up, we’re going up”. We had a nervy moment when Dabo slide in and committed a foul, the players surrounded the ref asking for a sending off, I thought he would but the ref decided against a second yellow card. Godden had a shot blocked before the boss decided to remove Dabo before he was sent off and replaced him with Pask for his second league game. With just over 10 minutes to go Southend dithered at the back and Biambou nipped in got around a defender and placed the ball past their keeper for 2-0 and to sow the game up. “We’re going to win the league”, we sang and it is the first time I sang this and believed it. The wind was getting stronger as their keeper’s kick kept swerving out of touch to his left. It was now a case could we get more goals as McFadzean had a shot blocked. McCallum then hit the woodwork from a free kick. We saw the game out without any bother.

We got away well but Strom Dennis was strong going and I felt it going around the M25.

Man of the Match
1st Kyle McFadzean: Defender really well
2nd Liam Walsh Ran midfield
3rd Callum O’Hare Changed the game