retired_trainer21

SKY BLUE NEWS

Monday 26 January 2004

Foley Joins Sky Blues

Youth Team Centre Forward David Foley has joined the Sky Blues' set-up from Hartlepool United.

It is unclear at this point whether Foley will feature in the manager's first team plans. SBA has stated the extent of the competition for places up front for City so it seems likely that target man Foley will be plying his trade in the youth or reserve side for the time being.

He is thought to have a promising future ahead of him.

retired_trainer21

MATCH REPORT from the CET

Wednesday 28 January 2004

CITY 2
Staunton 78 (pen)
Singh 90

West Ham United 0

City Claim Points With Late Double Hammer Blow

It was a case of home-sweet-home again for the Sky Blues as they returned to winning ways against the struggling London outfit. Although, as was also the case against Walsall recently, they had the referee to thank for giving them the perfect opportunity to nudge in front at just the right time in the game.

City seemed the side less affected by the international absentees and saw two goals in the last 12 minutes seal a priceless win in their fight against the Division One drop.

SBA reverted back to his seemingly preferred 4-5-1 formation and asked Mark Goodman to do a job as a lone frontman with Patrick Suffo overseas.

There was a return for Eddie Stanford on the left of City's midfield with early-season signing Geoff Pitcher also returning to first team action.

The Hammers have clearly had to sacrifice some of the neat, free-flowing football for which they had become famous as they try to adapt to life outside of the top flight but they did enjoy much of the early running as City started the game as they had finished at Stoke.

Thankfully for the Sky Blues Scott Shearer enjoyed a far steadier game than he had endured at The Brittania Stadium as City held firm.

Matthew Kilgallon, playing his last game in a Sky Blue shirt before returning to Leeds, put in his best performance to date with the unsettled Jermain Defoe not given any crumbs to feed off all evening.

City had to wait until midway through the half before creating anything of note. Skipper Staunton stood up a cross to the back post where the late arriving Barrett crashed a header back off the crossbar.

SBA was prompted to leave his position in the stands to join his staff on the sidelines as he urged his side to build on the near miss.

Visiting midfielder Michael Carrick played the majority of his part in the game whilst hampered by injury but was not brought off the field until the second period. City definitely enjoyed the edge in the central areas throughout with Warnock, Osbourne and Pitcher all contributing to another committed City display.

Warnock saw a left foot effort fizz just wide of an upright before Ian Pearce clumsily fell into the back of Goodman right under the nose of the referee. The howls of protest were rewarded as City claimed the spot kick.

Never one to hide, STAUNTON stepped up to the challenge as he drilled the ball low into the corner to give City the lead.

David Connolly broke clean through for the Hammers but their hopes of an equaliser were dashed as he fired high into the stands when in a great position to cancel their arrears.

Lee Fowler made a return from injury late on and Vijay Singh, who has been explosive in City's youth side, made his entrance, replacing the tiring Goodman.

In injury time Barrett worked some space on the right and, with the West Ham defence non-existent, presented SINGH with a side-foot finish to make the game safe for the Sky Blues.

City remain in 22nd place in Division One but are well in touch with many of those above them. They travel to Wigan Athletic on Saturday. The Lancashire side are themselves just four points above City.

MATCH STATS

Goal Attempts

Coventry City 5
West Ham United 4

Corners

Coventry City 1
West Ham United 0

[This message was edited by SBA on 16 February 2004 at 0:38.]

retired_trainer21

SKY BLUE NEWS

Thursday 29 January 2004

It's All Getting Tight At The Foot

City currently find themselves in the midst of a relegation fight towards the wrong end of Division One.

Last night's victory against West Ham has tightened things up markedly with more than half of the Division's 24 teams by no means safe from the trap door.

We take a look at the foot of Division One, starting with Saturday's opponents Wigan Athletic.

***********************************

All sides have now played 28 games.

There are a group of four teams on 35 points.

Wigan 34, Ipswich 34, West Ham 33, Walsall 32, C Palace 31, CITY 30, Bradford 24, Norwich 23.

***********************************

City's record of 30 points from 28 games would, under normal circumstances, be enough to see them out of the drop zone but the current look of the table gives further fuel to the argument that there is little difference in quality between the top and bottom of Division One.

retired_trainer21

SBA Talks Exclusively To CM Stories

Friday 30 January 2004

The West Ham win meant we picked up a crucial three points in our fight against relegation. It was our sixth victory of the season but all of them have come at Highfield Road.

It's not too long ago since the club last went through an entire season without winning a league game away from home - in the 99-00 season - and we even had one Robbie Keane in our ranks that season.

If you're in a position similar to ours it is indeed the home form which is going to make the ultimate difference but it's remarkable how far up the table just a couple of successes on the road would have taken us.

I am aware of the discontent amongst some of the fans after hearing of the David Foley signing this week. He has cost us a fee in terms of compensation we had to pay to his former club. Couple that with the fact that he may not feature in the first team for a while and it is little wonder that people question the decision. I've bought for the pure raw footballing talent that he has - the club may not benefit from the signing for years after I am long gone but I believe that benefit it surely will.

Tomorrow our latest away day sees us go to the JJB Stadium and Wigan Athletic.

We believe we 'owe them one' after the events of the first game at Highfield Road.

We were well set for a victory until two minutes from time the referee allowed them to take a very quick free kick. Our wall wasn't set properly and the 'keeper was out of position. A win in that game, just the sixth of the season, would have taken us up into the top half of the league. We only took a draw though and went on to only win one more game until mid-December.

SBA

retired_trainer21

MATCH REPORT from the CET

Saturday 31 January 2004

Wigan Athletic 1
Silva Vieira 90

CITY 3
Goodman 23
Staunton 30 (pen)
De Vos (o.g.) 32

City Rout Produces First Away Win

It took them the best part of six months to achieve it but the Sky Blues comprehensively claimed their opening victory of the season on their travels thanks to a manic nine-minute first half spell at the JJB Stadium on Saturday.

The travelling City faithful were finally given the opportunity to applaud a victorious City side off at the end of a game in which the points were gained in typically unorthodox fashion. A goal from a player who, this time last month, no-one outside of the club's Ryton Training Ground had heard of, a penalty, and a bizarre own goal were the contributory factors to this timely boost which sees City leap two places up the table.

SBA gambled on handing a start to David Pipe, only recently back in training following a long lay-off. The gamble paid dividends though as Pipe looked back to the form he had been in early on in the season.

Geoff Pitcher was given another start and he produced a fine display in unison with Warnock and Osbourne who is now starting to attract interest from other clubs. Eddie Stanford was busy on the City left with Goodman again up front on his own.

The game burst into life on 23 minutes after a weak back pass was pounced upon by the enthusiastic Pipe. His cross was inch perfect for GOODMAN whose downward header left former City 'keeper Jon Filan with no chance.

From there things just kept improving for the Sky Blues.

Goodman again created confusion in the home ranks before a desperate lunge prevented him from claiming what would have already been his fifth goal in a Sky Blue shirt. City were rightly awarded their second penalty in as many games with STAUNTON ensuring the same end result to double the advantage.

The Sky Blues fans could hardly believe their eyes moments later after a superb 40-yard cross field ball from Pitcher meant that Stanford didn't need to break his stride before he tried a low near post cross. DE VOS stooped to meet the header and diverted it into the far corner with Filan once again helpless.

City had never been three goals up all season but they were successful in slowing the pace of the game down whenever they could as the home crowd became increasingly frustrated with their own side.

Most of the Wigan efforts came from distance with Shearer rarely troubled while Goodman was enjoying another productive afternoon and seemed to revel in chasing down lost causes and making himself available to take the ball whenever possible.

SBA even introduced the out-of-favour Mo Konjic towards the end of the game for a rare run out after Andrew Whing had filled the central defensive position admirably all afternoon.

Goodman could have made it four but wasted a gilt-edged opening but I'm sure that far more imposing situations will present themselves as the season goes on.

Wigan's consolation goal went barely unnoticed with the City fans jubilantly dancing around in the stands before every one of the players acknowledged and gave back applause at the final whistle.

The Sky Blues move into 20th position in Division One with mid-table Preston North End visiting Highfield Road next Saturday - after 3 wins in their last 4 games, the match surely can't come quickly enough for SBA and his players.

MATCH STATS

Goal Attempts

Wigan Athletic 6
Coventry City 4

Corners

Wigan Athletic 1
Coventry City 3

*JANUARY REVIEW TO FOLLOW ...

retired_trainer21

SEASON 2003-04

Review of the Season so far: JANUARY

January Results

(a) Notts County (FAC3) lost 3-1 Pead
(a) Cardiff City drew 2-2 Barrett, Goodman
(h) Crystal Palace lost 0-1
(h) Millwall won 2-0 Goodman 2
(a) Stoke City lost 4-0
(h) West Ham United won 2-0 Staunton, Singh
(a) Wigan Athletic won 1-3 Goodman, Staunton, OG

LEAGUE POSITION

City are currently 20th in Division One. They have 33 points from their 29 games played, having won 7, drawn 12, and lost 10. They have scored 30 goals and conceded 34.

City are 2 points above the relegation zone, 11 points below the play-off places, and 18 points below the automatic promotion places.

Leading Goalscorers (All Competitions)

Adebola 7
Joachim 7
Staunton 5
Goodman 4
Morrell 2
Suffo 2
Barrett, Davenport, Pead, Pipe, Singh 1

Average Player Ratings

Figure on far left indicates number of full appearances, figure in brackets indicates substitute appearances.

1. 30 Andrew Whing 6.93
2. 28 Calum Davenport 6.89
3. 12 Julian Joachim 6.83
4. 24 (5) Steve Staunton 6.79
5. 5 (1) Mark Goodman 6.67

retired_trainer21

SBA Talks Exclusively To CM Stories

Wednesday 4 February 2004

There can't have been any results up and down the land on Saturday that were celebrated with quite as much enthusiasm as our first away win of the campaign was.

You can imagine the feeling at seeing three consecutive attacks all result in goals after having spent much of the season playing quite well in away games but without ever looking like we were going to tear teams apart.

In no way did we dominate Saturday's game when looking at it as a whole but when you're playing away from home the emphasis is always on the home side to go forward. I could reel off a number of away games this season where we felt we didn't get what we deserved and so maybe the tide is turning.

I'm a great believer in the need to win the midfield battle if you're going to win the war. This is particularly the case if you're down at the wrong end of the table.

I have confidence in the likes of Fowler, Osbourne, Warnock, Pitcher, Barrett, Safri & Pead that we are better equipped than most to send out personnel who are more than able to do the job in that area of the pitch.

It has been pleasing to see Geoff Pitcher come back into the side and make such a positive impact. He showed on Saturday that there is more to his game than just breaking up opponents' play with the fantastic pass which led to our third goal.

We've now won three of our last four games and the impact of a few good results is evident. This is the best run of results I've had since becoming manager and suddenly there are players giving me plenty of reasons to pick them but not so many to exclude them. Not that I'm complaining of course - it's a nice conundrum to have to deal with.

We now look ahead to two more home games, on Saturday against Preston, and next Wednesday against Wimbledon. It is a chance to pull well and truly clear of the danger zone.

The Nationwide Season is a long one and we will still be 15 games shy of the summer holidays after these next two. Hopefully we can pick up more points in the next week and then look to push on for the rest of the season. We might even be able to notch up another away win before May!!

SBA

retired_trainer21

MATCH REPORT from the CET

Saturday 7 February 2004

CITY 2
Goodman 18
Barrett 76

Preston North End 0

City Make It A Hat Trick Of Wins

Another three points for the Sky Blues and another goal for the new golden boy of Highfield Road. Those dark November days when City couldn't buy a win suddenly seem so far away.

It was difficult to ever imagine uttering these words this season but this really was another routine win for the Sky Blues as they sealed the win with goals in either half.

SBA was forced into just one change from the side which recorded the victory at the JJB Stadium the previous week. Craig Pead had suffered a twisted knee in training and was replaced by Calum Davenport with Andrew Whing switching to right back. Mo Konjic completed his second game since returning to the side and gave an accomplished display as he dealt with the threat of Fuller and Asprilla admirably alongside Davenport.

The Sky Blues were on the pace right from the off with Warnock twice going close with long range efforts, the second of which was spilled by the keeper but Stanford could only sky the rebound over the bar.

Not long afterwards City made the breakthrough with Staunton swinging in a deep cross which Pipe managed to hook his right boot around to send it back into the danger area. The visiting defence hesitated as GOODMAN controlled the ball effortlessly before shooting on the turn and into the net.

The atmosphere around Highfield Road was much improved on anything previously experienced this season with over 16,000 witnessing the much improved Sky Blues attempting to climb the table.

Preston had a five minute spell just before half time when they could have scored twice. Fuller and then Asprilla were both denied by Shearer. Asprilla expected to see the offside flag go up when he was through on goal and this cost him in a moment of indecision which allowed Shearer to come out from goal and smother the ball.

SBA clearly had words with his side at the break as they re-appeared for the second half intent on not allowing their guard to drop again.

City were stretching Preston by using the wide men whenever possible and as the visitors tried to push men forward, so the gaps appeared for the Sky Blues to exploit.

Steve Staunton and Eddie Stanford have clearly struck up an understanding down the City left in recent weeks with the veteran Irishman continually looking to utilise the youngster's pace with a steady supply of balls over the top and down the channels.

Goodman had once again run himself into the ground and was withdrawn to a standing ovation from the appreciative home fans as Patrick Suffo, back from international duty, took up his place in City's attack. David Pipe was also withdrawn as a precaution with Barrett filling the void on the City right.

City made sure of the win thanks to a superb strike by Barrett. Whing's corner was headed back to him but rather than centre the ball again he spotted the substitute in space on the right corner of the area where BARRETT took a touch and struck a ferocious shot into the far corner.

Mentions must go out to Staunton, Stanford and Warnock who all enjoyed match sponsors' man of the match awards. It is a testiment to how well the team is playing at the moment that Goodman didn't manage an award for himself.

City are now up to 18th in the Division One table and face Wimbledon at Highfield Road on Wednesday evening. Another win for City would see them climb above the Dons.

MATCH STATS

Goal Attempts

Coventry City 10
Preston North End 6

Corners

Coventry City 8
Preston North End 1

retired_russ10120

C'mon sky blues!

retired_trainer21

SKY BLUE NEWS

Tuesday 10 February 2004

Warnock Wants To Stay With City

On-loan midfielder Stephen Warnock has today agreed a deal that will make his stay at Highfield Road a permanent one. Warnock had been loaned out by parent club Liverpool for the duration of the current season.

SBA has been very impressed with Warnock's battling displays - particularly in recent weeks as he has been instrumental in the Sky Blues' improved on-field fortunes. The delighted City manager was able to quickly thrash out a deal with Warnock, who had been out of favour at Anfield for some time, which sees him due to stay at Highfield Road until the summer of 2008.

Contract Extensions

There was more good news for Sky Blues fans as both Lee Fowler and Isaac Osbourne put pen to paper on new contracts with the club. Both have recently attracted attention from elsewhere.

Out Of Favour Safri Made Available

In response to the good news stated above, which sees SBA safe in the knowledge that three of his effective midfield quota are keen to stay with City, Moroccan midfielder Youssef Safri has been transfer listed.

Safri has been with the Sky Blues since the summer of 2001 and has become a crowd favourite. However his chances have been limited since returning from The African Cup Of Nations. Safri is currently on a £5,000 a week contract and has been made available for transfer at £650,000. However with the Sky Blues' financial plight common knowledge amongst footballing circles, they will do well to attract such a fee.

Adebola Loaned To The Lions

Another player likely to be departing the club in the near future is Dele Adebola.

He has been made available for transfer at £300,000. Millwall have already moved to loan out the striker. He has moved to South London in a three month deal with SBA hoping to see Adebola hit the kind of form which will enable him to attract such a fee.

SBA's fondness of the 4-5-1 formation, together with the emergence of Mark Goodman, is thought to have sparked the move to release Adebola.